Most homeowners don’t give much thought to their sewer lines until a problem occurs. The sewer line is a large diameter pipe that carries waste water from your home to the municipal sewer system. Sewer lines are generally reliable and work great for years without the need for any maintenance. However, there are a few things can cause sewer lines to need sewer line repairs.
Cracks and breakage of sewer lines can occur because trees are planted too close to the lines and gradually the roots may begin to infiltrate the pipe. Older sewer lines may have small gaps in the joints between sections of pipe that can also allow tree root infiltration. Tree roots inside the sewer pipe can cause clogs to form and can do further damage to the pipe as the tree roots grow.
Another cause of sewer line failures is when the ground where the sewer line is buried shifts. This puts a lot of stress on the pipe and can cause it to crack or break. In addition, when the ground below the sewer line settles, the pipe sinks slightly and creates a low spot that collects grease, oil, hair, paper, and other debris. This collection of foreign material can eventually build into a clog.
Finally, heavy vehicle traffic can sometimes cause a sewer line to collapse. If the earth is soft and heavy equipment is driven across where the sewer line is buried, the sewer pipe can collapse. If you suspect a sewer line failure, have it checked out by a sewer septic professional. Left unattended, the problem will only get worse and can cause a backup of untreated wastewater and sewage into your home. In addition, untreated sewage can cause a biological hazard by leaching into the soil.
