One of the most
important parts of our homes is hardly noticed until something goes wrong.
Sewer drains remove waste from our homes and allow us to live as modern human
beings. While we might not think about sewer lines or even see them, they
provide a valuable service. But when things go wrong, we quickly notice that
something is not right in our world. Being prepared for this and knowing what
to watch for can help reduce the stress involved in dealing with sewer-related
issues. Today we are going to learn some warning signs that your sewer line
just might need replacing. So make sure that you pay close attention.
Just like every city
in the United States, Lynnwood sees its fair share of sewer drain issues. Below
are a few ways to tell if your Lynnwood property is facing major sewer line
problems. Let’s take a deeper look at what might indicate the need for a sewer
line replacement.
• Pooling water on the lawn: Have you noticed water begin to
pool on top of your lawn? Maybe that water has a foul odor and it is
discolored. This can be a sure sign that your sewer pipe has been busted and
needs to be replaced. Raw sewage that seeps into your soil can cause major
problems to your health and the environment. While your problem might be caused
by another issue, the only way to figure out what is going on is to have a
professional sewer drain repair company to come out and inspect your line.
•Overflowing toilets: Do all the toilets in your home
overflow from time to time? Does it happen more frequently than you would like?
Chances are you could have a major sewer line problem that is causing this
nasty occurrence. Roots can grow into your sewer line causing it to become
clogged and choked off. This, in turn, can cause the toilets in your home to
overflow.
•Older homes: If your home is more than 25 years old, your
sewer line might need replacing. Old cast iron sewer lines can rust and begin
to break down. This can cause waste to seep into the ground causing an
environmental nightmare. If your home is older, you just might benefit from a
sewer line inspection. This will help you determine if your drain will need to
be repaired or replaced.
•A sunken area on your lawn: If you notice a sunken area on
your lawn near where your sewer line runs, chances are you have a problem. Over
time the ground below a sewer line can shift and settle. This can cause your
sewer pipe to become bellied. When this happens, the sewer pipe will begin to
trap waste and paper in this lowered area causing a buildup. Over time, this
buildup can cause your pipe to become obstructed and flow will be greatly
reduced. The only way to fix this problem is by replacing your existing drain.
Sewer inspection and repair is nowhere near as difficult as
it used to be. We now have the technology to not only inspect problems without
digging, but repair or either fully replace systems without having to do so.
Here is a quick guide to what you should know about sewer line inspection and
repair.
Inspecting sewers is a very simple process nowadays. Whereas
in the past, the whole area would have to be dug up to identify which sections
were causing trouble, now a video camera can just be inserted into the pipe
instead. These cameras are able to give a clear picture of what is going on
inside the pipe, and precisely which parts are in need of repair. They can
assess the type of damage and the severity of it - cracks may have formed due to
root intrusion, old materials may be breaking down or the pipes may just be
clogged.
This video technology is perfect for the average homeowner,
who is unlikely to be an expert on the sewers. This allows them to fully
understand what is going on and the mistakes that they have perhaps been
mistaking. It can also stop them from being overcharged by bad repairmen, who
in the past could try and say that a problem is worse than it actually is.
Video cameras can be used after repairs too, to clarify
which areas have been fixed and if the job has been done properly. For example,
if the pipe has been relined, a video inspection can discover whether the new
lining has hardened against the existing pipe as it should.
No-dig solutions have made sewage repair much less straining
for homeowners. No longer do huge excavations need to be made to remove and
replace sewage lines, as trenchless technology allows all of this work to be
done underground.
Pipe relining is a popular way of repairing a pipe without fully
replacing it. This involves fully cleaning out a pipe - possibly with a high
pressure hydro jet - and then inserting a new pipe which lines against the old
one. This new pipe will harden and prevent the sewers from leaking, and because
of the tough resin material, the chances of tree roots forcing their way into
the pipe are lowered.