Your home sewage line is the connection between your plumbing and the city sewer system that carries water from your house into the city’s sewer system. Broken sewer lines can cause dangerous plumbing and structural problems of the house like sewage backups and foundation fissures. Unfortunately, sewage line damage might go unnoticed for months after the first deterioration.
Proactive sewer line examination and repair can help prevent future line problems and protect your family. Get the latest information on sewer line repair and learn how to safeguard your home’s sewer by using sewer lines and sewer systems.
Most Common Sewer Line Repair Issues
Corrosion of Pipes
Sewer pipe corrosion is caused by moisture and bacteria from waste leaving the home. These can create sulphuric acid and other chemicals that over time can eat through pipe materials such as plastic and copper.
Blockages
Sewer line clogs occur when materials that don’t break down are flushed and get stuck in the line. The use of consumer products such as baby wipes, nappies and tampons can lead to trash building up and clogging your sewer line.
Unpleasant odor
The most common reason for a bad smell coming from the sewer line is a clog deep in the sewer line. Most of the sewage line gas odour in the home comes from seldom-used showers and bathtubs.
Sewer Line Migration
Over time, or due to environmental influences such as excessive rainfall, your sewer pipe can shift. This shifting occurs mostly at the connections connecting the sewer pipes and prevents the optimal sewage flow away from the home.
Roots of the tree
Plumbers typically find tree roots are a common cause of sewer system problems. When tree roots look for moisture, they might invade the sewer line, causing the entire building to collapse. Tree root removal and line rehabilitation is a complex job and requires sewage line experts with decades of project expertise.
Do I Need Sewer Line Repair or Sewer Line Replacement?
Your plumber can guide you in determining if it is the repair of your sewer line or a replacement of the sewer connection. When discussing sewer line replacement vs line repair options with your plumber, consider the following factors:
- The Pipe Damage
If the sewer line is extensively damaged and the cost to fix it would be more expensive than replacing the pipe, your plumber will suggest replacing the pipe.
- Where the damage is
Another important consideration in the repair vs. replacement decision is the location of the damage. Line replacement may be necessary due to a leak or structural concern near the home foundation.
- The Sewer Line Material
Your plumber may suggest replacing a clay sewer line with cast iron for a higher level of durability. Clay sewage lines are quite susceptible to tree roots and may soon need to be replaced.
- The Presence of Tree Roots
Plumbers may be able to fix a portion of a sewer line damaged by tree roots, but the roots will find their way back into the line if the line they are attached to is still there. The severity of the tree root damage and the possibility for further infiltration are important considerations when choosing between repair or replacement.
What is the average cost of sewer line repair?
The price is based on the location of the damage on the sewer line and how bad it is.
Contact your home insurance company to assess your coverage levels before proceeding with your repair. Your homeowner’s insurance coverage can cover part or all of the cost of the work on the sewage line.
Call Gravity Plumbing for Sewer Line Services
Our qualified plumbers are able to investigate sewage line issues and provide clear insight and expert expertise to identify sewer line repair symptoms and provide an efficient fix. We can come to your house on short notice for emergency sewer line repairs in Vancouver, BC. Just call our office today and be hooked up with our licensed plumbers!
