Is Mother Nature Damaging Your Sewer Pipes?

April 30th, 2015 Posted in Sewer Lines
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One of the most common causes of sewer pipe damage is Mother Nature or environmental damage. Whether it is a tree root invading your piping or an earthquake shaking the ground, when a sewer line is compromised, it is often due to something in the environment. Knowing what hazards can potentially harm you pipes can help you identify sewer line problems quickly and get them repaired before there is more damaged to your home and property.

4 Environmental Factors on Sewer Pipe Failure

Since sewer lines are underground, anything that affects the ground on your property can also potentially harm your sewer pipes. If you know what elements can harm you pipes, you can be aware of any signs of damage. Here are the four main causes of environmental damage to sewer pipes:

  • Freezing temperatures. Extreme cold weather can freeze the liquid in your underground pipes and cause dramatic expansion inside the pipes. This can cause cracks, leaks and even a burst sewer line.
  • Earth movement. Earthquakes and other forms of shifts in the earth can offset pipes or cause damage.
  • Tree root invasion. One of the most common causes of damage to underground pipes is tree root invasion. Roots are attracted to the moisture in pipes and can infiltrate through joints.
  • Flooding. Flooding can eroded the surrounding soil and cause pipes to move and break.

If any of these factors occurs on your property, keep watch for any signs of sewer pipe damage. Be aware of any wet areas above pipe lines, slow drains in the home or foul odors. At the first sign of damage, call your local sewer repair company to have your pipes inspected for problems to reduce further damage to your property.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

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Signs of a Frozen Sewer Pipe

January 2nd, 2015 Posted in Sewer Lines
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It’s common to hear about frozen water pipes in basements, crawl spaces and other exposed areas. However, underground pipes are usually less likely to freeze due to the insulation provided by the surrounding soil, even in very cold regions. Even though sewer pipes are not commonly the first pipes to freeze, it does still happen. When they do, it’s important to recognize the problem as soon as possible to minimize the damage.

What Happens When a Sewer Pipe Freezes

A sewer pipe will usually not freeze solid in only a few hours. It may start freezing moisture around the interior of the pipes first, creating a ice layer which reduces the size of the inside of the pipe. If the deep freeze continues, the waste water coming through the pipe can become slush, then eventually freeze solid. Once this happens, there is a danger of the pipe bursting as the ice expands.

Although it is difficult to know what is happening in your sewer pipes under the ground, there may be signs they are in danger of freezing. First, it will need to be below freezing for several days in a row. Secondly, you may notice that your drains are not emptying as quickly as the pipes begin to freeze shut. Once they are completely frozen, you will have a sewer backup in all your affected drains.

If you believe your sewer pipes are freezing, call a sewer professional immediately. The sooner they can address the problem, the better the chance they can help prevent the pipes from bursting. Your sewer professional can use digital cameras and other techniques to determine what the issue is, and how best to fix it.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

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