Seattle Sewer Line Repair
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Seattle Sewer Line Repairs
While it’s easy to notice that something may be wrong with your sewer line, it’s only easy when the problem has become severe. It’s important to know that to look for in the early phases as well.
If a sewer clog were to take place, water can potentially back up into your home. Let’s take a closer look at common causes of sewer line problems and what you can do to prevent them.
How To Check For Sewer Line Troubles
- Bathroom sinks: To check for sewer line issues in your bathroom, start by turning on the water in the sinks. Allow the water to run for one to two minutes, then see if the water in the toilets go up. If not, then there shouldn’t be a problem.
- Toilets: It’s fairly easy to tell if there is a problem with the sewer lines that connect to your toilet. If you notice clogging in your toilet, this is a sure sign that something is wrong. Keep in mind that if you flush the toilets and water comes up through the bathtub or shower, there is an underlying problem with the pipes connecting to your toilet.
- Showers and bathtubs: In most cases, problems with your shower or tub drains are strong indicators of sewer line trouble. Check to make sure the water is properly draining in your shower or tub. If water backs up, then something is wrong with the connecting pipes.
- Evaluate Existing Sewer Line Damage
- Determine Full Extent of Repairs
- Clean and Repair Damaged Sewer Lines
- Evaluate Timeline and Replacement Schedule
- Damage Can Be Casued By: Tree Roots
- Corroded Pipes or Damaged Pipes
- Clogged Pipe Debris and Foreign Objects
- Extreme Temperatures
Signs of Sewer Line Damage
To prevent further damage, it’s important to know the signs of a damaged sewer system so that you can take immediate action and contact an experienced service technician.
Flooded or Foul-Smelling Yard
A yard that’s flooded can be a sign of a broken sewer pipe. Sewer lines can be buried anywhere between a couple of feet to six feet below the ground, with colder climates calling for deeper pipes. For sewer lines close to the surface, a broken pipe can quickly begin to pool water which seeps through the grass and becomes visible on the surface. You may be able to smell the sewage before it surfaces, as sewage gas can seep through your yard’s soil.
Draining Difficulties
While some blockages are caused by a pipe leading directly from a faucet or shower, you can detect a blockage in the main sewage line if multiple draining areas in the home are clogging. Toilets can warn of severe blockages if strange gurgling sounds occur when air gets pushed back up the line.
Water Damage in the Home
Water damage can occur if a drain line leaks or breaks in the home. One of the first signs is mold spreading on the floors or walls. This could point to a broken sewer line within the home, in which case you should call a plumbing service immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
All of the drains in your home connect to branch lines that travel to the main line, which is also known as the main stack. This includes the drains from your sinks, bathtubs, showers, washing machine, dishwasher, utility tubs, and toilets. The main line exits your home near its foundation and runs toward its connection with the city’s sewer system. Your main sewer pipe funnels the waste water into the city’s sewer line. If you don’t have public sewer lines, the main line travels to your septic system.
Clogs from foreign objects, poor airflow, intrusion of tree roots, broken pipes or simply improper design. Just like any drain line in your home, a sewer line can get a clog. When it does, the end result is that your drainage system backs up. Clogs can occur when there is a buildup of foreign substances, such as hair, food, grease, or beauty products, getting into the drainage system. Of course, small toys sometimes find their way into a toilet, creating a messy situation that often requires a plumber’s help.
Slow draining and stoppages are clear signs that something unusual is going on with your plumbing system. If these signs are accompanied by foul odors or wet spots in your yard, it is possible that your sewer line is broken. Other signs that your sewer line might be broken include, indentation in or sagging in your hard, or an abnormally healthy lawn. The constant leakage of waste water can erode the soil causing the ground to sink, and while we think of this waste as unhealthy, for lawns it can act as fertilizer, leading to a richer fuller looking lawn around the areas of the leaks.
If the damage is small enough and restricted to a limited portion of your sewer line, it is possible that a patch can fix the problem. Repairing a broken sewer line with a patch is simpler, quicker, and less expensive than replacing a large portion or all of the sewer pipe. If you suspect you have a leak, the sooner you act, the more likely you are that it can be patched, rather than having to be replaced.
Clay sewer pipes typically last approximately 50 to 60 years, whereas cast iron pipes are known to last somewhere between 80-100 years. However both of these materials can be expensive, difficult to work with, and not readily available. As result, most homes built after approximately 1980, tended to use sewer pipes that were made from ABS plastic or polyvinyl chloride. This style of pipe is known as PVC pipe and can last as long as 100 years.
Once you notice that your system is draining more slowly or experiencing frequent clogs, you may want to consider replacing your main sewer line. If you notice foul smells, puddles in the yard, or wet spots that fail to dry, it is probably time to call in a professional plumber to evaluate your drainage system. Additional signs of a failing sewer line include gurgling noises in the pipes or toilets and sinkholes in your yard.