Common Sewer Line Problems You Should Be Aware Of

Sewer line problems rarely happen, but when they do, they'll mess you up. In fact, any homeowner dreads sewer line problems because they're expensive to repair. While you can solve some problems on your own, others require a plumber with enough experience in sewer line repair. 

Catching sewer line problems early on can save you a lot of money in repair costs. That said, you should always be on the lookout for signs of sewer line damage. This article will address some common sewer line problems homeowners face.

Sewer Line Clogs

Clogs mostly happen in drain pipes and sinks, but they can extend to your main sewer line if you aren't careful. As you probably know, sewer line clogs mostly happen when you flush objects such as tampons and diapers down the toilet. 

Sometimes the clog can happen if you keep throwing oil, hair, food waste, and grease down the sink. Once your sewer line clogs, wastewater will drain pretty slowly or back up into your home. As such, you need immediate sewer line repair before the problem gets out of hand.

Tree Roots Intrusion

If you have trees growing near your sewer line, the roots can make their way into the pipes and cause damage. This mostly happens when there is a leak on your sewer pipe. The roots will grow towards the leak and penetrate the sewer pipe. Unfortunately, tree roots infestations will destroy your sewer pipes or cause clogs. If such a problem happens, you'll have to call a plumber to do major repairs. 

Sewer Line Belly

A sewer line belly is a sag or low spot on your sewer pipe. Your sewer lines should slope uniformly to allow regular water flow. Unfortunately, sewer line sags can interfere with the normal flow of wastewater. 

As a result, wastewater will back up into your home or flow slowly. In most cases, sewer line bellies happen because of bad installations or natural occurrences such as earthquakes, tree roots, or shifts in the soil. Sewer line sags can only be diagnosed and corrected by a professional plumber.

Corroded Pipes

Corrosion is a common problem that attacks iron sewer pipes as soon as they start aging. As you well know, wastewater is bound to have minerals that can hasten pipe corrosion. Once your pipes start rusting, they'll easily clog or break open. If your plumber finds out that your pipes are corroded, they'll have to replace them entirely. 

Now you know the most common sewer line problems that homeowners face. Once you identify any of the above problems, call your plumber immediately.