You may not realize it but you are responsible for your sewer line from where it joins your appliance to the edge of your property. That means you need to know exactly where your sewer pipe runs, what it is made of, and what condition it is in.
Regularly inspecting your sewer line will help you spot and identify an issue early and take steps to resolve it.
The Main Issues With Sewer Pipes
Sewer pipes are large, big enough to carry all the waste away from your home safely. Once they leave your home they also tend to go in a straight line, reducing the likelihood of issues happening on bends. But, they are buried under the ground which means you can’t see when issues are starting to occur.
There are two main issues you will face with sewer pipes:
Damage To Pipes
There are several ways in which a sewer pipe can be damaged. The first is simply age, especially if you have a metal pipe. Many of the original sewer pipes were made with cast iron. It is strong but does eventually decompose, allowing sewage to seep out.
An alternative is that you have driven over the sewer pipe with a heavy vehicle, perhaps not even being aware of where the pipe was. The excess weight has pushed the soil onto the pipe and caused it to crack.
Finally, the sewer pipe can crack when a tree root reaches it and starts to grow into or around it, the pressure can crack a plastic pipe or the root can go through a weak metal pipe.
Clogs
The other main issue you will get with a sewer pipe is a clog. This is when debris has built up inside the pipe and the sewage can no longer get past. The cog can be caused by soil falling into a damaged pipe. But, in most cases the clog is internal, the result of things being put down the drains that shouldn’t have been. A prime example of this is women’s sanitary products, wet wipes, and children’s toys.
The clog will need to be cleared to allow the sewage to flow away, if not the sewage can back up into your home.
Identifying The Issue
Before you can fix the issue you need to know what you are dealing with. One of the best ways to do this is to locate a sewer camera for sale. This can be inserted into the pipe and you will be able to see the video. The camera can be threaded through all the pipes unit it reaches an issue. You will then be able to identify what it is, whether it is a clog or damage to the pipe, and where it is. The camera will record the distance allowing you to calculate where the clog or breakage is.
If you are dealing with a clog then you will have had some warning as your appliances will become slower and slower at draining water. The slower they are the closer the clog is getting to your house.
Breakages generally provide several other clues to help you identify them:
Lush Grass
One of the biggest giveaways that your sewer pipe is leaking is when you realize that the grass or plants are doing better in one spot of the garden than they are anywhere else. The simple truth is that human sewage is a great fertilizer. If t is leaking out of the pipes then all the plants that can access the sewage will get additional nutrients and grow faster and stronger.
In short, you will have a lush green grass area in your garden. Of course, as human sewage contains a number of concerning bacteria, it may not be the best option to have things growing in it on your lawn.
Odors
It is not surprising that sewage smells. If you notice the distinct odor every time you pass a specific section of the garden then there is a good chance you have a cracked sewer pipe. The odor will be distinctive in all weathers but even more so if it is dry and hot.
Pools of Sewage
In rare cases the sewage will actually rise to the surface in liquid form, allowing you to see pools of liquid in your garden. This most commonly occurs when the water table is high and you have had a plentiful supply of rain.
Of course, the wetter it is the harder it will be to see the pools but they will usually remain when the rainwater has vanished.
Indentations
Indentations in your lawn suggest that the ground underneath is saturated. This allows the soil to move and even vacate the area. The result is a depression in your grass that puts it at odds with the other areas of your lawn.
Equally, if the damage to the sewer pipe is close to your property the soil dissipation can cause issues for your foundations, causing them to sink slightly and crack. You may even see the cracks appearing up the house walls.
Rodents
Rodents often live in sewers, especially rats. If you have a crack in your main sewer line they are likely to come through it and possible even find a way into your walls. This will result in a rat infestation. You will need to contact your local pest control experts but you also need to consider the possibility of a damaged sewer pipe.
Clogs provide a slightly different range of issues as the pipe is not usually broken.
Mold
Clogged sewage pipes mean that the liquid waste is sat inside the pipes and the moisture is looking for ways to escape. This often means the moisture will travel up the pipe and into your home. If this happens you will notice rising dampness and mod near where the main sewer pipe enters your home.
However, if the pipe is damaged inside the house the mold can appear on your walls or ceiling, near wherever the damage is. That suggests a crack instead of a clog.
Odors
The gas associated with sewage goes with the sewage into the main sewer. However, if it is unable to escape through the normal channels it will return to your house. The gas can be strong enough to push its way through the water traps under your appliances or it may find a way through a joint.
The result is you will smell the distinct odor of sewage in your home.
Slow Drainage
When your appliances start to drain slowly you almost certainly have a clog. If it affects just one appliance then the clog is in the drain from the appliance, between it and the main sewer line. If more than one appliance is draining slowly then the clog is in the main sewer line.
Dealing With The Issue
If you discover a damaged sewage pipe then you will need to take steps to fix it. You will likely need expert help. There are two main solutions:
1. Liners
Depending on the level of damage and what caused it you may be able to insert a liner into the pipe and put it over or inside the crack, effectively sealing it in position and stopping the leak. This is a difficult maneuver that may require expert help.
2. Replacement
Replacing the damaged section of pipe is simply in terms of removing the damaged piece and adding a new one. However, it does mean a lot of digging in your garden to get the pipe and remove the damaged piece.
Don’t forget you will be working with raw sewage and will need to take appropriate precautions.
If you are dealing with a clog then the most common approach is to open your main sewer hatch. If there is sewage under it the clog is downstream, if the pit under the hatch is clean and dry the clog is upstream.
You can insert drain rods with a spike on the end to find the blockage and push through it. This will allow the sewage to drain away. However, be careful. When you release the pressure the imbalance between air and sewage can cause it to come straight up, out of the hatch. Make sure you are stood back, not over it!
It s possible t put a high-power hose into the drains to clear the blockage but drain rods tend to be the most effective and efficient approach.
Final Thoughts
Once you have identified and dealt with the clog or breakage you should remember to inspect your pipes at least every six months with your new drain camera. This will ensure you are aware of any problems when they start and can deal with them before they become a major issue.
You can get professional help and you may even be able to make a claim n your insurance to help with the cost of repairing your sewer line. But, you should check your policy first, it isn’t always covered.
By Jesse Huges