Common Reasons for a Clogged Sewer Line and Replacement Options
Back in the day, repairing sewer lines used to be an expensive and laborious process that took many different drawn-out steps. Thankfully, as time has moved on, and technology has progressed, society has found alternative techniques. In this article, we’re going to quickly run through reasons a sewer line might be clogged and the kinds of repair or replacement options one can have in front of them. Hopefully, you’ll learn a thing or two if you’re entirely in the dark about this particular topic.
Causes
Sewer lines can be clogged by a wide range of issues. Tree roots are one of the most common causes as they follow sources of water as they grow. They become naturally attracted and wrap around the pipes. They’ll clog up, weaken, and potentially break them over time. Foreign objects and other debris might do some damage to your underground pipes, too. The pipes only expect to deal with human waste and toilet paper – anything other than this can cause all kinds of blockage issues. Paper towels, wrappers, cooking oil, grease, and anything unexpected, can clog everything up.
Corrosion is also a big problem with pipes as they have to deal with calcium and magnesium build-up from wear and tear over time. Extreme temperatures can also be a problem for the sewer lines as frozen pipes can burst. The expanded ice can sometimes be too much for them. Extreme heat can also burst pipes.
The Greater Cost Of Putting Off Repair
If you elect to put off repairing your sewer lines, then you’ll have to face larger consequences further on down the line. The hit you take financially now will pale in comparison to the hit you’ll have to take later on. Things will gradually get worse, so your sewer line replacement and repair options will be more costly in terms of equipment and/or services you solicit. Once your pipes become damaged beyond repair, you’ll likely have to resort to a traditional replacement. This involves digging up your yard to reveal the broken lines. It’s invasive and expensive, so you’ll need to ensure you handle things sooner rather than later.
Repair Options
If it’s looking as though you’re springing a leak, then you’ll have two options. You’ll either dig a trench around the sewer pipe or use trenchless sewer line repairs. The latter is time-effective and cost-effective and requires little-to-no digging. Typically, technicians will put a camera into the sewer line in order to see what’s happening. They’ll then tell you what repairs are necessary before suggesting one of two ideas.
The first option is pipe lining. This is where an inflatable tube covered in epoxy can be inserted into the pipes. The tube is inflated while pressed against the existing sewer line. The epoxy then hardens and repairs the leak. Once this has been completed, the inflatable tube can be removed. The second option is to burst the pipe and replace it. A cone-shaped piece is fed through the line, and it destroys the pipe while immediately replacing it with a new one. It’s all done in a short space of time, so no excavation is necessary. If neither of these two is possible, you’ll have to go ahead with the extensive and invasive replacement option that we discussed previously.
Schedule a Sewer Cleaning Service Today
The next time you are faced with clogged sewer lines and drains, you know who to call. At Geno’s Sewer and Drain Cleaning, we are always prepared to take care of your septic and drain clearing needs. You can receive a same-day appointment when you reach out to us. Free estimates are also available for all of your septic work. Drop us a line or shoot us a message today!