When to Replace Sewer Lines Vs Repair

August 21st, 2019 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Your main sewer lines can last for decades – if you have an older home, your existing sewer lines may already be decades old. The good news is that many people never need to replace their sewer lines and many can be repaired when a problem arises. However, when should you invest in replacement versus a repair? Here are some circumstances when replacement may be a better option.

Multiple Repairs

If you have already needed to fix a cracked or leaking sewer line and are having more problems, it may be best to replace the pipe. Patching the pipe over and over can cost more in the long run than replacement, and it is a major inconvenience each time it occurs.

Poor Pipe Material

Many older sewer lines were made with cast iron, cement or other corroding material. These pipes were made to last, but they will also corrode over time. If you have a broken or corroded pipe, it is probably the beginning of a long line of problems. Replace with a more durable material to avoid future repairs.

Location Problems

Did your sewer line burst from tree root invasion or weight from vehicles? If your sewer is located in an area where it is susceptible to damage, it may be best to replace and move it to a better spot.

It can be a hefty investment to replace sewer lines, but it may be more cost effective than multiple repairs. Before you spend money on a repair, consider whether it may be best to complete a full replacement to avoid more expense and headaches down the road. Talk to your sewer professionals about your options.

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

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Protect Your Sewer Line During Utility Work

May 2nd, 2019 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Your main sewer line may be hidden, but just under the surface of your yard it is performing its duty. Many people may not know exactly where their sewer line is, which can pose problems. If a new phone line or gas pipe needs to be installed to your home, utility workers may need to run a trench through your yard. It is vital to protect your sewer lines from damage to prevent expensive repairs down the road.

Find Your Sewer Lines

If you have a lot schematic of your property, it may show you where your sewer line runs. You may also be able to get an outline of underground utilities on your property from your local utility or building municipal departments if they have one on file. The other option is finding the outlet from your home (usually in the basement or crawlspace) and following the path to the septic tank or city sewer line.

Inform Utility Crews

Most utility crews will investigate to ensure they are not disturbing any existing utility lines before they begin digging. However, do not assume they have done their due diligence. It is not uncommon for damage to be done to sewer lines or a D-Box that is not realized until many years later. When you need to replace a sewer line because it eventually breaks from damage done years prior, you most likely will be left paying for the repair.

Concerned that a utility crew may have damaged your sewer line? Contact a local sewer line service to have your pipes inspected for damage. It is better to find out sooner than later, giving you an opportunity to have the repair done before it causes damage to your home or property.

Posted on behalf of:
Septic Service Pro, LLC
Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30334
(678) 292-8728

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Backyard Basics for a Functional Septic System

July 25th, 2018 Posted in Sewer Lines
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When you have a septic system, you have many pipes running under the ground around your home. Sewer lines run from your home to the septic tank and then run from the tank to your drain field. All this underground equipment is essential to your septic system, but sometimes out-of-sight means out-of-mind. It is important to consider this valuable equipment when doing anything in your yard that may impact your septic system. Here are some backyard basics to help you maintain a functional septic system.

Do You Know Where Your Sewer Lines Are?

Do you know exactly where your sewer lines run? This is essential for protecting them from damage. If you do not know, have your local septic service company come inspect your system and give you a schematic of where your lines run. This will help you avoid these areas in your yard.

Be Carefully Where You Plant

Big, beautiful trees can be an asset to your home; they can also cause havoc on your sewer lines. Don’t plant trees that will grow large anywhere near your sewer lines. Tree roots can extend dozens of feet away from the tree’s trunk. Those roots seek moisture and they love to break into sewer lines.

No-Drive Zones

You should never allow vehicles to drive on your yard where your sewer lines are located. This includes the ones going to the septic tank, the lines to your distribution box and all the pipes to your drain field. The drain field is also off-limits for vehicles or heavy equipment.

Doing a few protective basics in your backyard can help prevent many expensive septic issues down the road. Along with regular service and pumping, preventive care can help protect your septic investment for many years to come.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283

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Do You Know Where Your Sewer Lines Are?

April 2nd, 2018 Posted in Sewer Lines
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It happens every spring and summer. A homeowner will decide on a great DIY project to do around their home without considering their sewer lines. Maybe they are building a new fence and rent a post hole digger to make the project easier or decide to build a koi pond in their back yard. The problem is, if you dig in the wrong spots and hit a sewer line, you could be in for a nasty and expensive surprise. Before you begin your next outdoor project that requires soil removal, make sure you know where your sewer lines are.

When sewer lines are installed, a schematic is made and often sent to the local municipality. However, if they have been changed since the original installation, the plans may not be up-to-date. If you can get the plans, that is a good first step, but you may not want to trust that alone. Here are some tips to ensure you know where the sewer lines and if they match what is on the plans if you can obtain them.

  • Where does your sewer line leave your home? Look under your crawlspace or in your basement and find the main sewer line. Knowing where it comes out gives you a starting point.
  • Where does the sewer line end? Your sewer line either goes to the city sewer line or your septic system. Unless there is a tree or other obstacle, they tend to run in a straight line from the home to the destination.
  • Check the physical components to your plans. If the plans and your physical inspection match, you should have a good indication of where the sewer lines are and where not to dig during your project.

If you are having problems locating your sewer lines, calling your local sewer/septic company can help. They can perform an inspection and give you exact dimensions on where your sewer lines are before you start your project.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing Inc
Sterling, VA 20166
(703) 435-4441

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Do You Know Where Your Sewer Lines Are Located?

June 11th, 2017 Posted in Sewer Lines
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When you look out at your yard, do you think of what is running below the surface? In many cases, it is your sewer lines, quietly doing their job day in and day out. You most likely do not think about them at all, unless they become clogged or broken. There lies the problem. Many homeowners forget they are even there and can accidentally cause damage to them. Here are a few tips to keep those lines safe and protected.

Locating Your Pipes

The first step to protecting your sewer lines is knowing where they are located. If you are on a city sewer system, they most likely run directly from your home to the street. With a septic, it will be through the main line leaving your home to your septic tank. These areas are no-drive zones. Keep all heavy equipment away from areas.

Landscaping and Outdoor Structures

Planning a garden or building a gazebo in your yard? Consider where your sewer lines are before you get started. Keep in mind if your sewer lines ever need to be dug up, anything above them will be ruined. Stick to grass above your pipes.

Trees

One of the biggest culprits of destroying sewer pipes is tree roots. Do not plant large trees near your sewer lines. Tree roots are powerful and are attracted to the moisture of your pipes, infiltrating through small cracks. They can split sewer pipes and causing backups into your home.

If you do not know where your pipes are located, call your local sewer service company. They can help you find your pipes and do an inspection to ensure they are in good shape under your yard.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing Inc
Sterling, VA 20166
(703) 435-4441

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Do You Know Where Your Sewer Line is Located?

August 9th, 2016 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Every day you take a shower, flush the toilet and use the kitchen sink, but do you know where all that water and sewage goes? Magically it disappears from your home, out to the main sewer line that whisks it away to be treated. But somewhere between your home and the city sewer line is your connection, probably under your front yard of your home. Do you know where it is exactly? There are some good reasons why you should find out.

In most cities, the sewer pipe that connects a home or business to the main sewer line is the property owner’s responsibility. If something happens to that line, the repair or replacement cost will be on your shoulders. This is why you should know exactly where your underground sewer pipe is on your property. Consider these possible problems:

  • You hire a landscaper to put in a decorative fish pond right where your sewer pipe is located. They damage the pipe when they begin to dig – now you have to fix it.
  • You plant new trees and shrubs in your yard. A few years later their roots penetrate your sewer line, causing a sewage backup into your home because you planted them too close to your sewer pipes.
  • You hire a contractor to do work on your home. They drive their equipment over the sewer line, damaging the pipe because you did not warn them of its location.

There are many other scenarios that could cost you expensive repairs just for not knowing where your sewer line is located. Call your local sewer service company to complete an inspection, including outlining where your pipes are located so you can avoid damaging these crucial plumbing fixtures.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283

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