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Here are the biggest causes of clogged sewer lines that you may not know
One of the biggest nuisances experienced by homeowners is plumbing issues. The worst of such nuisances is a clogged sewer pipe. A clogged sewer pipe will result in a slow drain, foul odor inside the house, and frequent backed-up sewage in the bathrooms.
A clogged sewer pipe needs to be fixed immediately otherwise it can result in a host of other problems. By knowing about the 5 common causes of clogged sewer lines, you can prevent this problem from ever occurring in your house. Read about the causes below.
The Sewer Pipe Is Damaged
- If the sewer pipe is damaged, cracked, or even ruptured then it will not flow sewage smoothly. Many reasons can be attributed to a damaged sewer pipe, but the main reason is usually the age of the pipes. Old pipes lose their protective coating and hence become susceptible to damage.
One of the main signs of a damaged & leaky sewer pipe is the presence of a foul smell and a small puddle outside the house. This problem can only be fixed by a licensed and professional plumbing repair company.
The Sewer Pipe Is Sagging
- Sewer lines can get sagged due to environmental and soil conditions. Sagging affects the position of the pipes and thus affects the flow of sewage.
Sagging sewer lines can happen without the influence of the homeowner and can result in sewer pipe damage. If left unchecked, this can accumulate into a host of other problems, causing the homeowner to pay thousands of dollars for sewer system repair.
Flushing Debris & Objects
- The sewer plumbing inside the house as well as the lines that connect to the sewer mains are designed specifically to carry human waste and toilet wipes only. If anything else is flushed, it has a high risk of getting clogged in the sewer lines. Sometimes, the object will travel out of the house’s sewer plumbing but will get clogged in the pipes connecting to the sewer mains.
It is imperative that nothing else be flushed down the toilet. A clogged sewer pipe inside the house will cost thousands of dollars to fix, as the contractor will remove the clogged pipes completely. A clogged sewer line outside the house is also not a cheap fix. If it is not rectified, then sewage can travel backward and flood your bathroom creating a huge mess.
Flushing Grease & Oils
- Most plumbing and sewer line professionals will advise homeowners against flushing oil and grease down their drains. When hot, they are a liquid but as soon as they cool down, they solidify and stick to the inside of the pipes.
Solidified grease and oil are very difficult to remove and can be one of the biggest causes of clogged sewer lines. Home remedies such as pouring hot water do not help either. Over time they will build up and completely clog the sewer line. Depending on the location of the clog, homeowners will have to pay from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars to fix this problem.
Tree Roots Near The Sewer Lines
- If there are trees and shrubs located outside your house, then their roots can damage the sewer lines connecting to the sewer mains. The roots grow in search of water and can latch onto the sewer pipes. From there, they can break the pipes and cause sewer line damage.
This issue exists only in old sewer lines which were made up of porous materials. The newer lines are made up of PVC and are difficult to be damaged by the roots of trees and plants.
If you believe that you have a clogged sewer line, then you must call Proline Plumbing at 832-772-5501. We, at Proline Plumbing, are a plumbing and sewer line repair company operating in Houston Texas. Our specialists will inspect your plumbing to identify the cause of your sewer line problems. They will provide an easy and affordable solution that lasts long.