How do you feel about DIY sewer repair? If you are like me, it is a definite no-go. Sewer problems automatically go to my plumber. Thank goodness contractors like Beehive Plumbing are willing to handle sewer issues. Incidentally, Beehive serves three counties in the greater Salt Lake City area.
Whether you live in Utah or elsewhere, your sewer line is susceptible to all sorts of problems. And when sewers go bad, someone needs to step up. Below are some common residential sewer problems and their fixes. It is up to you to decide between DIY and professional repair services.
1. Deeply Rooted Clogs
At the top of my list are deeply rooted clogs. I use the phrase ‘deeply rooted’ because clogs near the surface of a drain don’t really qualify as sewer problems. On the other hand, a deeply rooted clog is way down the main sewer line that exits your home.
I have firsthand knowledge of this because I recently paid for a plumber to clean out such a clog. He found a ball of grease and debris that was several inches in diameter. He said it looked like it had been forming for years. It was so far down the line that it had almost made it to the main sewer line at the street. My plumbing snake simply could not reach it.
Plumbers attack deep-rooted clogs with high-pressure air, electric rooters, hydro jetting, and other impressive strategies.
2. Root Intrusion
If clogs are the number one residential sewer problem plumbers deal with, root intrusion is probably a close second. Root intrusion occurs when tree or shrub roots surround damaged sewer pipes.
Tree and shrub roots grow toward sources of water. So imagine your sewer line has a small leak. It is small enough that you never notice pooling water. But it’s large enough to allow water into the soil, water that tree roots can detect. It will not take long for those roots to make their way straight to the damaged pipe.
Tree roots are strong enough to work their way into the pipe, where they have an ample supply of water. They could ultimately lead to pipe collapse.
The fix here is to cut roots away and then repair the damaged sections of pipe. Preventative strategies include keeping new trees and shrubs well away from sewer lines. Plant them as far away as possible.
3. Pipe Failure
Pipe failure is a broad term that encompasses all sorts of sewer problems. It covers cracked and collapsed pipes as well as pipes that are deteriorating with age. Plumbers use video cameras to identify these sorts of issues.
As for the fixes, it all depends on what is causing the problem. Older pipes usually have to be cut away and replaced. Newer pipes may be repairable. A plumber might recommend trenchless pipe repair or inserting a liner. Any option that eliminates the need to dig is worth thinking about, especially when you need to repair sewer issues in the Salt Lake City area.
4. Pipe Deformation
Finally, sewer pipes are subject to all sorts of deformation. They can dip, sag, or back pitch, causing wastewater to pool. Everything from improper installation to major weather events can also cause pipe deformation.
The fix is a matter of finding the deformation and correcting it. This could mean rerouting the line, replacing pipe sections, or simply realigning the pipe.
I don’t know about you, but sewer repairs are not my thing. If I ever detect a problem with my sewer line, my first and only move will be to call a plumber. I will pay any qualified person willing to get his hands dirty working on my sewer.