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A broken sewer line is messy and smelly. The first step is determining the cause. To do so accurately, call the professional plumbers at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain. This article discusses the main causes of blocked or broken sewer lines and various plumbing services used to fix them.
Broken sewer lines include problems with the pipes that carry waste away from your home. This could involve either pipes from your house to the municipal sewer lines or to a septic tank on your property. When one of these pipes breaks, you need qualified technicians to perform the right plumbing services to set things right in your home’s pipes.
Since some sewer plumbing services are expensive, it’s helpful to understand the different symptoms and causes of a blockage or breakage.
Signs of a Blocked Sewer
If you have blocked sewer pipes, you may notice slow-running drains. If left untreated, the problem may grow worse over time until the drain is completely blocked. Sometimes, the toilets become hard to flush or the bathtub develops a ring of soap scum due to slow draining water. Keep an eye on the water level in the toilet, which may change on its own.
For homes with basement drains, white deposits may signify repeated backups and pooling water that drains slowly. Overflowing water often attracts pests such as rats and insects. Since this presents health risks to you and your family, it’s important to call for a plumber right away.
If your landscaping includes shrubs and trees above a blocked sewer line, roots are likely the cause of the blockage. Plumbing services for root removal typically involve an electric snake that includes a cutting blade. If roots aren’t causing the blockage, our technician may be able to clear the blockage quickly with a sewer auger. First, we locate a clean-out valve to insert the auger or snake into. Then, our licensed plumbers may have to repair the pipes according to the local codes and regulations.
Signs of a Broken Sewer Line
When sewer lines break, the drainage system can still function normally. Over time, you may notice signs that give away this problem. Broken sewer pipes in the basement or outside your home release water directly into the soil. In this case, a sinkhole could develop in your yard or under the street. The area impacted by the leak typically has the distinctive smell of sewage. This can affect your quality of life and limit or halt the use of your yard for recreation and relaxation. Prompt plumbing services are the best way to identify and correct the damaged pipe.
For broken pipes under asphalt or paved pathways, leaking water causes the hard-top surface to deteriorate and sink. Meanwhile, vegetation in the area above the breakage flourishes due to the extra nutrients.
What You Should Do
If you notice these signs of broken or blocked sewer lines, call a company noted for reliable services, such as bluefrog Plumbing + Drain. Give our technicians any details that you have noticed to facilitate the diagnosis or the problem or rely on their expertise to identify and fix the issue efficiently.
How a Qualified Plumber Removes FOG
When fat, oil and grease (FOG) accumulate in a sewer line, they can clog the secondary lines as well as the main sewer. When you call for plumbing services for a secondary line blockage, we can usually clear the line quickly with an auger. However, stubborn clogs in the mainline may require heavy-duty equipment to solve the problem. For FOG accumulation in multiple secondary lines, a hydro jet fitted with a degreasing nozzle may serve as our best defense to clear the blockage.
Instead of trying to rent or buy a machine to clear the line, it makes more sense to leave the job to the professionals. For example, the technicians at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain have access to a wide variety of equipment. From high-pressure water jets to cameras and other sophisticated tools, we bring whatever is needed for a decisive diagnosis and a long-lasting solution.
Maintain Your Sewer Line
Once we complete the required plumbing services for the broken or blocked sewer line, our experts can provide guidance on how to avoid future issues. For example, after the fat, oil and grease clog is fixed, it’s up to you to avoid dumping these materials down your drains.
Remember, all the drains in your home eventually connect to the main sewer line. So, everything you flush or wash down the sink ends up in the same place. Ask our bluefrog Plumbing + Drain technician to recommend a gentle chemical solution that you can flush or pour into the pipes with hot water occasionally. This can clear out accumulated materials before they become a bigger problem.
Misaligned Drainpipe
A camera inspection may reveal a misaligned drainpipe. During inspection, we can explore your options for fixing the pipe or leaving it as is. You can trust our technicians to give you straightforward answers and our best recommendation that fits your situation and budget.
Non-invasive plumbing services include a pipe bursting or pipe lining repair. We may recommend blowing a flexible tube treated with resin into the pipe. Once the tube hardens, the water should flow through to the mainline again. Pipe bursting involves putting a new pipe inside the damaged one.
More invasive plumbing services incorporate traditional methods. This includes pipe replacement by digging a hole to access the pipe and replace it with a new one. This work requires permits and inspections as well as a knowledgeable plumber familiar with local authorities.
Contact bluefrog Plumbing + Drain today for more information on your broken sewer line or to schedule an appointment to resolve any plumbing services for your home.
