All of the plumbing in your place of business, or residence, drains, fixtures, and pipes, are connected to the biggest and most important piece of plumbing, and that is the main sewer line.
However, between improper use of these fixtures, drains, pipes and many other outside factors, the main sewer line takes a beating. Eventually, it can become clogged, or even collapse to the point of needing to be repaired, or even replaced.
Understanding what causes the main sewer line to clog, and the warning signs, can help prevent you from ever having to deal with a major repair, or replacement.
Almost everyone has dealt with slow moving sinks, clogged drains, or backed up toilets. Most clogs are typically easy to fix. However, what happens when all the drains begin backing up at the same time? It could be a main sewer line clog. There are primary indicators that a repair or replacement is necessary:
Tree Root Infiltration
Older sewer lines were sometimes constructed out of clay or other porous materials. In addition, the connections between the pipe sections weren’t as tight as today’s PVC pipes.
As tree and shrub roots grow, they search for sources of water. If they latch onto a sewer pipe, they will grow into the pipe in order to reach the water inside. As the roots expand over time, it can cause the line to break.
Flushing debris down the toilet
Treating a toilet like a trashcan will cause sewer line drain issues. The number one rule to remember is that only human waste and toilet paper get flushed.
Pouring grease down the drain
Grease, fats, and oil are some of the biggest culprits when it comes to clogged drains. It is never a good idea to pour any type of fat down a drain. Often, the mistake is made by running hot water when pouring grease down a sink. The thought is that it will clear the grease or fats away. Unfortunately, once it’s cooled, it hardens and sticks to the pipes, leading to sewer line clogs.
Severe Pipe Damage
When sewer pipes are broken or ruptured, the sewage won’t be able to properly drain through the system. This leads to immediate and frequent backups. Common causes of sewer pipe damage include:
- Sewer pipe rupture via shifting soil, settling, increased traffic on the ground above, and use of heavy construction equipment above ground.
- Corrosion of an older pipe, causing the pipe to break or collapse.
- Leaking joints where the seals between sections of pipe have broken, allowing water and sewage to escape.
A Sagging Sewer Line
While this is out of the control of the property owner, sagging sewer lines happen over time. This “bellied” pipe occurs when a section of the pipe has sunk due to ground or soil conditions. The low spot in the line will begin to collect paper and waste — resulting in repeat blockages.
Some of these causes of a clogged sewer line are preventable, some are not. Often times, the clogs present themselves as emergencies. When this happens, or if you suspect there is a major clog, E & K Contractors can come out and assess the problem and determine the best approach to repairing the main sewer line.
I really think that there is a problem with the sewer line by my house. Now as you said here, tree roots can cause problems to the pipes. There is a larger tree that is directly above one of the lines so it might be a good idea to get the pipe checked out just in case.
I found it interesting that you state that grease hardening in pipes is a common reason for drainage problems. My brother has been having problems with his toilet flushing everything down so I have been helping him look into a solution. I will send this information over to him so he can start looking for a sewer cleaning company that can help him remedy the situation.
Its good to know that if tree and shrub roots grow, they will grow into the pipe in order to reach the water inside. The main sewer line broke in my city and I think that this might be the case to why it broke. I will have to check to see if this was the problem with the sewer line.
Its good to know that if tree and shrub roots grow, they will grow into the pipe in order to reach the water inside. The main sewer line broke in my city and I think that this might be the case to why it broke. I will have to check to see if this was the problem with the sewer line.
I liked that you said that many things can cause your plumbing and sewer line to back up. I would imagine that this would eliminate the possibility for flushing toilets. I would be sure to hire a professional to unclog sewer lines so that I could still use my plumbing.
I liked that you said that many things can cause your plumbing and sewer line to back up. I would imagine that this would eliminate the possibility for flushing toilets. I would be sure to hire a professional to unclog sewer lines so that I could still use my plumbing.
I like that you warn against pouring fatty substances down your drains so you can avoid clogging. My brother has been mentioning that his sink is having problems draining all the way and he hasn’t been able to fix it himself. I will send him this information so he can make sure to find a plumber that can come and do a line cleaning on his pipes.
I appreciate what you said about flushing debris down your toilet causing sewer line clogs. My brother has been telling me about how his sewer has been backing up. I’ll share this information with him so that he can get the professional help that he needs with this.
It’s a good point that the main sewer line will usually get worn out much faster because all the other lines join into it. My brother is trying to get a plumber to look at his system right now. He has noticed that it’s starting to function improperly and he wants to get it fixed before it requires serious repairs.
I like your plumbing tips. My pipes are leaking. I’ll have to get them patched up.
I like that you mentioned how you need to avoid treating the toilet like a trash can because that will block up the sewer lines. My sister is trying to get her sewer lines repaired properly this month. She needs to find a good plumber in the area that knows how to get this issue fixed.
I like that you mentioned how you need to avoid treating the toilet like a trash can because that will block up the sewer lines. My sister is trying to get her sewer lines repaired properly this month. She needs to find a good plumber in the area that knows how to get this issue fixed.