As you can probably imagine, sewer lines are an integral component of any plumbing system. After all, they’re the piece responsible for transferring the waste out of your house. It’s not hard to see how that would be an important job, right? Having said that, it’s also likely not a surprise when I say that sewer lines receive their fair share of wear and tear, thus eventually leading to required repairs later on down the road. All things considered, as a plumbing business, our team tackles a wide variety of sewer line-related projects throughout the year. Whether that be main line cleaning, camera inspections, spot repairs or even replacements, we have you covered on all things sewer lines.
With that in mind, this week’s blog post will get down to the root of what causes sewer line clogs and/or failures. As we often say, the better you understand the different components of one’s plumbing system, the better off you’ll be in properly maintaining them and knowing what to look for in the event that a problem occurs. Before we get into that though, we would like to say hello to anyone stopping by our blog for the first time. Welcome to Stine-Nichols Plumbing! Based out of North Kansas City, MO, our team of experienced plumbing professionals provides residential, commercial and new construction services throughout the Kansas City area. Water heaters, sewer lines, faucets, toilets, remodels, you name it! To speak with a member of our team and discuss any plumbing problems you may be experiencing, you’re welcome to give us a call at (816) 348-3481.
What causes a sewer line clog?
Unsurprisingly, it’s worth noting that not all sewer line issues are the same. The severity (and complexity of repair that follows) can vary significantly. As such, we always like to inform homeowners and facility managers of the value of camera inspections. These help you get an inside look at what’s going on inside your sewer line to determine the proper course of action. After all, you probably don’t want to pay for an expensive repair that is not entirely needed, right? So, just remember that before you sign a local plumbing company to repair an underground sewer line, make sure they’ve completed a camera inspection first!
Now…to get this blog post started, we wanted to discuss the first potential sewer line trouble and that is a sewer line clog. Keep in mind that a sewer line clog can (and probably will) develop into a break if left untreated. However, for the sake of this first section, let’s answer the question above. What causes a sewer clog?
Truth be told, there are several things capable of creating a sewer line clog. Some of these things can be prevented by knowing what the drains can and can’t handle, while others aren’t as easily prevented. Here are a few of the more common causes of a sewer line clog:
Tree Roots – Chances are this wasn’t the first thing you expected to see on a blog about sewer line clogs and other troubles, but the truth is that tree root infiltration can cause some major troubles! This is especially true because even in the slightest of openings, they can find their way in and then grow from there, thus creating extra pressure on your sewer line pipes. Especially in older homes with large trees in the yard, this is a possible cause of sewer line issues.
Older Pipes – In regards to sewer line issues, there are going to be some causes that are a little out of your control. The age of the pipes and even the materials originally used are great examples of that. For instance, clay tile and cast iron used to be quite popular for sewer lines, while now PVC tends to be the most common. With clay tile and cast iron, one potential cause of failure would be corrosion. All in all, while each has their advantages, it’s worth pointing out that none are expected to last forever.
Sewer/Drain Line No-No’s – Thus far in this blog post, we’ve highlighted a few rather straightforward examples of sewer lines failing. Whether that be older pipes gradually falling apart over time or tree roots wrecking havoc, it’s easy to see how these could cause trouble. However, the next item on our list can actually be blamed on the people using the drains/sewer line. In other words, if you’re putting things down the drains that are known to cause sewer line clogs, those are the exact items we’ll be discussing here.
Let’s start with the most obvious one and that is grease and/or oil. Although they’re in liquid form while warm, they harden as they cool. Well, when this transformation occurs in the sewer line itself, it’ll contribute to clogs forming. And then other debris or waste catches on to that clog and the rest is history! Coffee grounds and pasta are a couple more great examples as well. Long story short, there are a number of items capable of creating sewer/drain line clogs and what starts as a slow drain can eventually lead to a serious blockage.
Ground Movement – Remember how I mentioned that some sewer lines issues are out of your control? Well, we have another display of that here! Any shifting of the ground/soil can pose a risk to your sewer line and potentially apply added pressure on the pipes themselves.
To sum it all up, given that sewer lines are buried underground, it can be a challenge to determine when an issue arrives. After all, unless you notice a backup inside your house or commercial facility, you’ll likely assume there are no problems. However, as we’ve shown throughout this blog post, even a small clog can gradually escalate into a serious issue (and possibly even a sewer line failure). If you suspect there may be an issue brewing, it’s always wise to have an experienced plumber take a look. They can clear the main line and if unsuccessful or they notice several blockages, it might be a good idea to complete a camera inspection to know for sure!
Experiencing a Sewer Line Clog or Failure? Call the Plumbing Pros at Stine-Nichols!
Here at Stine-Nichols Plumbing, we completely understand how important of a role your sewer line plays in the grand scheme of things. After all, where else is all of the waste from your home or commercial facility going to go? It needs a properly-functioning sewer line to make everything work like normal. Furthermore, as evidenced by this week’s blog post, there are several items capable of causing issues to your sewer line and over time, the severity can become escalated.
Our plumbers at Stine-Nichols possess years of experience tackling just about any sewer line-related project you can imagine. That could be in the form of routine drain cleaning to keep everything flowing correctly and prevent any clogs from accumulating. That could be in the form of sewer line inspections. Whether you’re buying a house, concerned you may have a sewer line issue or just want the peace of mind that everything is in working order, an inspection can be well worth it. Lastly, a sewer line project could be with the intention to make a repair or replace parts of the sewer line. No matter what the situation may be, you’re always welcome to give our team a call at (816) 348-3481 to discuss your project in more detail!