When it comes to your sewer line issues, you need a reputable plumbing company to first diagnose what the problem is. The solution on how to fix it depends on the extent of the pipeline damage. Repairing of existing sewer lines may require little or no excavation. However, some sewer line problems can’t be fixed by simple repairing, and the only way to resolve it is through sewer replacement. But how often do sewer lines need to be replaced? Let’s find out more about your sewer system so that you’ll know the signs of what to watch for and determine if it’s time that you replace your pipes.
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How long do PVC sewer pipes last?
Sewer lines are an essential part of your plumbing system for both your home and business because, without them, wastewater will accumulate in your drains, fixtures, and appliances. Knowing what type of material your pipe is made of is important for you as a property owner. You can better understand the factors that may affect the level of damage your sewer line may experience over long periods of time.
PVC piping was widely used in the 1970s and is still consistently used today. Though there are other materials that can be used for repiping such as clay pipes that last for 50-60 years which are no longer installed in new homes and Orangeburg pipes which are short-lived material, PVCs can last up to 100 years or more before you need a replacement. The reason for its longevity is its ability to tolerate deterioration after decades of use.
Why do I need a sewer replacement?
Your sewer line can face a lot of potential challenges and this will determine how long your pipes will last. The weight of the soil above your pipes may experience a lot of changes such as compaction from buildings or even parked vehicles above the sewer line. These events will likely cause the ground to move and may potentially cause your sewer line to break.
Tree roots may also threaten the integrity of your sewer line, since tree roots may pierce it in search for sources of fertilization.
Conditions within the soil such as drought can also cause your sewer lines to corrode easily. Shifting of soil to drought or erosion may lead to pipe dislocation causing leaks of wastewater in your yard.
Pipes that are not properly produced and installed might lead to sewer line leakage or breakage and this may happen sooner than you would expect.
What are the signs of a broken sewer line pipe?
Strange Odor
When your drain pipe has a crack, one clear sign that you may notice is smelling a strange odor. A plumbing system that functions well should never have an odor coming from your drains. If this occurs, a thorough inspection by a professional plumber is needed to find out why a sewer odor is making its way to your home.
Slow Drains
If you have a slow drain, this could be probably due to a blockade from a pipe that goes over a particular sink, toilet, tub or shower. Other possibilities why you have a slow drain are tree roots or soil erosion.
Patches of green on your lawn
Though it may be a good sight to see, if you see patches of greenery on your lawn, it means that your sewer line is broken and you need to have it fixed. Over time, the presence of wastewater can build up in the soil and this may pose a health hazard for you, your family, and your business.
Mold and Mildew
The presence of wet spots seen on your home or commercial space’s ceiling, wall and floors could be signs that you have a damaged sewer line. Mold and mildew may potentially grow on these wet spots, again, threatening your health and damaging your property.
Clogs and Backups
Having more than one clogged drain and sewage backups could mean damage to your sewer lines. Hence, the need for a plumbing expert is required to inspect your sewer lines and determine if you need to replace your sewers.
How do I know if my sewer line needs to be replaced?
There are factors to consider when to have your sewer lines replaced:
Old Pipes
If you have old pipes installed in your homes, chances are, they will fail more frequently, so a sewer replacement is the best solution to have an efficient sewer line.
Persistent Clogs
If toilet and sink drain clogs persist despite chemical treatments or basic repairs, it might be necessary to consider sewer replacement.
Presence of Big Trees
Big trees mean they have big roots that may penetrate your sewer lines and these are leading causes of pipe damage. Contact your plumbing company if tree roots have caused damage to your pipes and arrange for their replacement.
Is trenchless replacement cheaper?
If you don’t like to see your property damaged by excavations, there is an option to prevent this. Trenchless sewer replacement will allow professionals to replace your sewer safely without creating a huge eyesore to your property. While traditional sewer replacement comes at a lower cost, the expense of trenchless sewer replacement varies depending on the methods you need on your property. The two most commonly used trenchless methods are lateral pipe lining and pipe bursting.
How often do sewer lines need to be replaced?
The frequency of sewer replacement depends on the type of pipe material you have on your property. Additionally, the number of households or occupants using fixtures at home and commercial spaces matter in terms of the functionality of the sewer line. It is wise to ask for advice from a reputable plumbing company with professional plumbers to assist you with other sewer services so that you’ll know the right time to replace your sewers.
Contact a Side Sewer Contractor in Seattle
If you’ve been experiencing any of these sewer problems, The Pipe Doctor is the company that you can depend on! We are experts from Seattle that have the skills and tools needed to repair and replace your sewer line. We are also a Registered Side Sewer Contractor (RSSC) company in Seattle, WA serving the greater Seattle region for over 16 years.
The Pipe Doctor
12345 Lake City Way Ste 311 Seattle, WA 98125
(206) 676-2192
thepipedr@gmail.com
11 Responses
Thanks for the tip that having more frequent clogs can be a sign that it’s time to get sewer lateral replacement services. Lately, I’ve been in need of plumbers to deal with some minor issues with my pipes, primarily in my bathroom. Perhaps I should start thinking about addressing the issue form its roots to put an end to this once and for all.
Your point about how many occupants a home has really made a lot of sense. Since we’ve been living with our relatives now in a multi-family home, I can bet that the pipes are undergoing a lot more stress than they used to. I’ll have a plumber check our lines and repair any that need some attention.
It’s nice that you talked about how a sewer line replacement is the best solution to have an efficient sewer line. I think our sewer lines are already very old, so we should replace them now. So for that, we need to hire a plumbing contractor to do the work for us.
It’s nice that you mentioned how it might be necessary to consider sewer replacement if toilet and sink drain clogs persist despite chemical treatments or basic repairs. We’ve been experiencing a lot of clogs lately and I think it is because of our old sewer lines. We may need to replace it soon, so we should probably ask for a trenchless sewer replacement service.