Your sewer line is one of the most vital parts of your plumbing system, as it acts as the master drain for your house. All your plumbing fixtures, pipes, and drains are connected to your main sewer line.

Sewer lines help transport the wastewater from your home to the underground sewer. It’s important that it works properly, as it could lead you to a messy and expensive situation. Regular maintenance is the best way to avoid costly sewer line repair and replacement.

Here are three of the most common sewer line problems you could face and what you can do to fix them as quickly as possible.

Pipe Corrosion

One of the most common issues with sewer lines is pipe corrosion. Due to constant contact with wastewater and other materials, sewer pipes can start to rust over time. When pipes corrode, they will ultimately collapse and restrain the flow of the wastewater through the main sewer line.

To prevent rust from developing, a camera inspection should be done at least once a year. Performing a camera inspection on your sewer line will allow you to see the inside of your pipes and spot any potential weak points where leaks may have developed. Signs that your pipes are corroded or may have collapsed include slow draining, gurgling noises, and strong odor coming from your yard or basement.

One of the easiest ways to prevent this is to simply be mindful of what you’re flushing down in your toilet and avoid flushing anything that is strongly acidic, as this acid may lead your pipes to tear faster.

Tree Roots

Tree roots can cause a huge problem on your sewer line, especially the older ones. Though trees may look incredibly beautiful in your yards, they can damage your plumbing system as tree roots will spread out further and crush your lines, causing clogs and backups over time.

The best way to prevent this problem is to not plant trees near the pipes in the first place and a video inspection is highly recommended too, to see if there are any tree root that is causing clogs or backups on your line.

It’s important to know where your plumbing lines are placed and inspect it as soon as possible if you see any signs that your drains may be slowing down.

Grease Deposits

You should never pour grease into your sink or flushed it down your toilet. When grease cooled off, it hardens causing it to build up in a sewer pipe and create a serious blockage that may cause a lot of problems later. To prevent this, always place the grease on a sealed container and throw it away in the trash bin.

The Dangers of Sewage Backup

Sewer backup is quite dangerous for a lot of homeowners as it can cause damage to your property as well as pose health and fire risks for you and your family. Here are some of the worst hazards that can happen if you don’t handle things quickly:

You can get sick. Sewage contains human waste and harmful bacteria and viruses. Once it backs up through your pipes, it can cause serious health issues to your family. You can become extremely sick and experience vomiting, diarrhea, or even hepatitis A.

It can damage your property. If disregarded, sewage backups can potentially destroy your property. Your furniture, mattresses, and leather goods, once contaminated, cannot be sanitized. Yes, you can disinfect most of your furniture, but the process of disinfecting could be intense.

If you are experiencing the signs that are listed above, that would be enough reason to call an experienced and licensed plumber. A main sewer line blockage needs to be fixed as soon as possible. Always pay attention to what goes into your plumbing system to prevent expensive problems. If your sewer line is old, call us for a proactive inspection. We will provide you insights into the condition of your main sewer line and the issues it might have.