What Causes Sewer Line Damage? A Homeowner’s Guide

What Causes Sewer Line Damage? A Homeowner’s Guide

Are you worried about a damaged sewer line on your property and aren’t sure where to start? Problems with your sewer aren’t just an inconvenience; they can also lead to costly sewer line repairs, unpleasant odors, and potential health hazards.

Getting to the bottom of common sewer line problems can help you figure out next steps, but also take preventative measures and home plumbing maintenance to avoid major plumbing disasters before they start.

So read on to learn more about what causes sewer line damage and what to do next. And, as always, if you have any questions or need to schedule service, reach out to the trusted Tyler plumbers at The Mink Plumbing!

1. Tree Root Intrusion

One of the most common culprits behind sewer line damage is tree roots. It makes sense. Tree roots seek out moisture to stay healthy and hydrated and can infiltrate even small cracks in pipes, causing blockages and pipe breakage over time.

Here are some signs of tree roots in sewer pipes or your sewer line:

• Slow or gurgling drains
• Frequent backups or clogs
• A strong sewage odor in your yard

If you see signs of tree roots in your sewer line, give the team at The Mink Plumbing a call. We’ll come out for a professional camera inspection. Our non-invasive approach will quickly and accurately confirm what’s going on before it leads to a full-scale emergency.

Regardless of if you see signs of tree root intrusion or not, it’s a good idea to relocate trees away from pipes and sewer lines. If you’re thinking about planting new trees, consider trees with shallow root systems. Ornamental varieties, including dogwoods, redbuds, crepe myrtles, Japanese maples, and ginkgos, are usually safe bets, but again, plant as far away from pipes and your sewer line as possible.

2. Pipe Corrosion and Aging Pipes

Even well-maintained pipes will age over time. If you have an old system, like iron, clay, or Orangeburg material, they’re prone to deteriorating, weakening, and collapsing from corrosion or age. If your home was built before the 1980s, regular sewer inspections are highly recommended. Schedule a sewer line or plumbing inspection and we’ll come out to catch corrosion and other problems as early as possible. You’ll have costly issues—from avoiding leaks to messy sewage backups—and the need for a full sewer line replacement.

3. Soil Shifting and Foundation Settling

The ground beneath your home is always shifting, which will put some stress on your sewer pipes. Tyler, TX, is also home to clay-heavy soil that can expand and contract with ongoing moisture and humidity changes. Over time, your pipes could start to misalign or even break. If you live near construction, you could also experience some shifts with your soil or foundation settling, as well as heavy rainfall. Even small, nearly imperceptible seismic activity can also contribute to soil shifting.

Know the warning signs of shifting pipes:

• Sudden sinkholes or soft spots in your yard
• Unexplained cracks in your foundation
• Frequent sewer line clogs or backups

When you leave any of these things unchecked, the shifting soil can cause your pipes to disconnect or break completely and require professional repair or replacement.

4. Grease and Debris Buildup

It’s easy to overlook flushing the wrong materials down the drain, but they can all lead to sewer blockages and buildups. Everything from grease to food scraps, coffee grounds, and hygiene products is problematic. They don’t break down easily, or sometimes at all, and can accumulate in pipes. They turn into larger clogs and lead to severe clogs that can restrict water flow and cause backups or even break your pipes and lead to a flood of water in your home.

How to prevent sewer clogs:

• Always put grease and oil in a container and throw it in the garbage instead of down the drain
• Use drain strainers to catch food scraps and debris
• Avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper down the toilet
• Invest in professional drain cleaning, which uses hydro jetting techniques to blast away clogs and keep your pipes in pristine condition

The team at The Mink Plumbing also offers routine sewer cleaning to help prevent major blockages, stay on top of any issues, and extend the life of your plumbing system.

5. Poor Quality Pipes

Unfortunately, not all sewer pipes are created equally or are up to standard. Older homes may still have deteriorating clay or Orangeburg pipes, which are prone to breaking or collapsing. When home inspections aren’t done properly, they can also miss improper pipe slope or weakened joints that can cause ongoing drainage problems. Anytime you’re experiencing ongoing sewer line issues, give us a call for a professional inspection to determine if your pipes are due for replacement or repair.

Call The Mink Plumbing and Protect Your Sewer Line with Professional Maintenance

Now that you know what causes sewer line damage, you can stay ahead of the issues with regular plumbing and sewer inspections, proper home plumbing maintenance, hydrojetting, and more. You’ll avoid costly sewer repairs and messy disasters that can derail your day—if not your entire week.

The team at The Mink Plumbing is always here with the professional sewer line repair Tyler, TX, you need, including preventative maintenance to keep your plumbing system in good working order. Don’t wait! If you see signs of a damaged sewer line, schedule your appointment with our Tyler drain and sewer experts today!