The Greatest Risks to Your Home’s Sewer Lines

You probably seldom give a second thought to your home’s sewer lines. But, if these lines do not work properly, your home could become contaminated with sewer gasses, or worse yet, sewer waste could back up into your home. 

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, but it is only true if you understand what prevents the problem. Here, we will show you some of the greatest risks to your home’s sewer lines. 

Tree Roots

Tree roots are a serious threat to sewer lines. Roots seek out water and nutrients readily available in and around sewer lines. Tree roots are strong and very easily break through your sewer line. 

Once the root is inside the line, it will continue to grow until your system is completely backed up and flowing into your house. If you notice slow-draining sinks or bathtubs and can’t find a clog, contact a professional to inspect the lines. 

Soil Issues

Sewer systems rely on gravity to work properly. When the system is installed, the lines are put in at just the right slope. Too much slope and drains will empty too fast, which can cause lines to clog; too little slope and gravity won’t work to drain the lines.

The ground naturally shifts over time. This shift can alter the slope of your sewer pipes and thus cause problems. If the soil sinks, the line may begin to fall in the area of the shift. If this happens, the sewer line may crack and not drain. If the shift pushes the soil up, the slope will also be altered, and gravity will not work to drain the lines. 

Preventing soil issues is not foolproof. You can install gutters to divert rain from where the sewer lines are buried. But, if the lines are buried where gutters are not an option, there is little you can do to prevent the soil from shifting.

If shifting soil is the problem, your sewer lines will need to be dug up and the ground modified with either more soil or by taking soil away, depending on your problem.

Clogs

We’ve all experienced clogs in the drain. Hair and scum buildup are two of the main culprits. Normally, clogs don’t cause excessive damage, but if they are not removed, you may experience foul odors and drains that back up and overflow. Prevention is the best tool for clogs. Drain filters are excellent for keeping your pipes clean.  

If you are experiencing slow drains, call us today for a complete septic system inspection. Don’t wait until a slow drain becomes a clog that breaks the bank. Contact Open Drains today to learn more!