Many sewer lines go through their entire service life without any problem at all. Sewer lines are passive containment systems, unlike water services that are pressurized. Constant pressure is far more likely to take its toll on water lines that tend to leak at fittings or freeze when exposed to sub-zero temperatures.
Sewer lines are also subject to less flow than storm drain lines that carry massive water runoff during heavy rainfall. Sewer drains depend on gravity. They need a constant negative slope or one running downhill from the lowest point in your house plumbing system to where the line interconnects with the main municipal sanitary sewer system.
The minimal amount of slope required for a normal four-inch diameter residential sewer line is a quarter inch of fall per every one foot of run. Gravity-pulled water will carry normal amounts of semi-solid sewage along this slope with ease — until the pathway gets blocked. There are several possible causes for sewer line blockage. Some contributors are easy to fix. Here are the main causes of sewer line blocks.
There are two primary methods for repairing blocked and damaged sewer lines. Both have associated costs, but they can be assessed with camera inspection before starting work.
Video inspections are wonderful tools for identifying the extent and location of problems and for formulating a plan of attack for the best remedy the problem. Here are the two main methods for repairing sewer lines:.
Just as you want a reputable plumber and repair company, you want a competent sewer line inspection outfit. You need someone with the specialized equipment to video survey your sewer lines and the experience to interpret the information. This is a lot to ask for a relatively low cost. But the insurance value is enormous. Our roots date back well over years. Today, we have the most sophisticated sewer inspection equipment available, and we have the experienced staff who know how to use it.
Our sewer inspection services can save you thousands of dollars in unexpected repair bills when we identify problems before they become disasters. Make sure you have a sewer examination on your home inspection checklist. Call Dick Ray Master Plumber at Or, you can arrange a sewer line inspection by contacting us online for an appointment to check your pipes before you buy. Your Name required. Your Email. Your Phone. Your Message. Sewer Line Repair Options This worst-case scenario is preventable.
Estimate repair costs : Not every blocked sewer line is a worst-case scenario. This gives you time to negotiate a resolution before it becomes your problem.
The sewer line inspection should be a part of the general home inspection. While your "Home Inspector" won't do this inspection, they will look at things like a sump pit and sump pump. The general inspector can recommend a specialist for the sewer lines. This makes a sewer line inspection a smart add-on when buying a home. The most common cause of sewer line damage comes from tree roots. Tree roots seek water and since sewer pipes carry water, tree roots grow in that direction.
Any void or gap in a sewer line creates an opportunity for tree roots to invade and grow into that space. As the roots grow they wedge into the gaps and over time ball up in the pipe creating an obstruction. The gaps can become large enough that the entire line can collapse. The materials used in the creation of sewer lines have evolved over the years. While these changes have made lines more reliable, each one presents different issues.
Before , sewer drains were made with clay tile pipe. These pipes were set in the drain trench end to end from the house to the sewer main. Small gaps created at each pipe union created opportunities for root intrusion. This made it necessary to snake or clean these drains to remove these roots every 6 months to a year. Many homes built between and used Orangeburg pipe for their sewer lines.
Orangeburg is a fiber conduit made with wood fiber and tar pitch. Orangeburg was an affordable alternative to metal for sewer lines.
The problem with Orangeburg was its general lack of strength. The product had a life expectancy of about 50 years but in many cases would fail in as few as 10 years. Additionally, the fibrous nature of the product made snaking and hydro-jetting a problem. The pressure of a hydro jet could destroy the line. While, snaking could tear the line causing greater damage as well. This was a better alternative to Clay tile and Orangeburg because it was seamless, rigid and affordable.
This product could fail under pressure causing the same problems associated with Clay Tile and Orangeburg. Although it was an improvement, there were still problems with dependability. We began to see the implementation of Schedule 40 think walled PVC for sewer lines in the s.
This product is still the product of choice for this application today. This type of PVC is more resistant to pressure, breakage, and breakdown. A common misconception is that only older homes have sewer line problems. In this case, older homes mean anything built prior to It's true that homes with Clay Tile and Orangeburg Pipe are more susceptible to sewer line issues, modern homes can have issues as well.
The employee arrived on time and fixed the problem quickly and effectively at a very fair price. I was very happy with everything. Thank you and I highly recommend your plumbing service. I am extremely happy with the service we received from Bill Howe Plumbing. We will continue to use Bill Howe for all our future plumbing needs!
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