Sewer lines are more important than most homeowners think. For reference, sewer lines are the underground pipes that move sewage and wastewater away from a home’s plumbing fixtures before sending it to a private septic tank or a municipal sewer system.
Unfortunately, sewer problems are relatively common. Available data shows that around 850 sewer line breaks occur in the U.S. and across North America daily.
Signs of a Sewer Line Problem
A broken or damaged sewer line can present in many ways. Some of the most common include foul or unpleasant smells and slow drainage in sinks, tubs, or toilets. The following are also common signs of a broken or damaged sewer line:
- Unusual sounds – Severe blockages caused by degradation or breaks in a sewer line can trigger gurgling sounds, which typically emanate from toilets when air is pushed back up the line.
- Flooding and foul yard smells – According to most plumbers in Florida, broken, degraded, or otherwise damaged sewer line pipes can cause water to pool and eventually seep through the grass in a home’s yard. Both of these can trigger a foul odor of sewage gas. Sinkholes, along with foundation cracks and settlement, are also telltale signs of sewer line damage on the outside of a home.
- Water damage – While the majority of the sewer line on a home’s property is underground, parts of it are in and beneath the house. As a result, when sewer lines break or degrade, signs of water damage can appear in the form of mold on floors and walls. Peeling paint, musty odors, warped or sagging materials, and visible stains are also common signs of water damage associated with broken or degraded sewer lines.
Homeowners vs. Municipalities: Who Should Be Responsible for Sewer Line Repairs?
If a home’s sewer line connects to a private septic tank, the homeowner is responsible for making necessary repairs when something goes wrong. Sewer lines connected to a municipal sewer line are not as straightforward.
Generally speaking, homeowners are responsible for repairing any portion of a broken or damaged sewer line pipe that runs from their house to the public sewer main. Municipalities, meanwhile, are responsible for any portion of the pipe that carries sewage and wastewater away from multiple properties.
How Long Do Sewer Lines Typically Last?
Aging is at the heart of most sewer line problems. Depending on pipe materials, these critical plumbing lines typically last 50 to 100 years. Modern-day sewer lines use schedule 40 polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) piping.
In older homes, cast iron, Orangeburg, or clay pipes are more common. Modern-day piping materials offer several benefits over older piping materials. And those benefits contribute to their longevity.
Schedule 40 PVC piping, for example, is strong enough to withstand corrosion and root intrusion. ABS piping is strong, durable, and can withstand extreme temperatures.
Meanwhile, older piping materials are more prone to corrosion and are not nearly as structurally sound as modern piping materials. The following is a more detailed breakdown of life expectancy for modern and older piping materials:
- ABS – 75 to 100 years
- Cast iron – 50 to 75 years
- Clay – 50 to 60 years
- Orangeburg – 25 to 50 years
- PVC – 75 to 100 years or more
What Causes Sewer Lines To Fail Prematurely?
While sewer lines can last 50 to 100 years or more, the following can drastically shorten their lifespan:
- Extremely high water pressure
- Extreme temperatures
- Frequent clogs
- Improper installation
- Lack of maintenance
- Shifting soil
- Tree root invasion
Should You Repair or Replace Damaged Sewer Lines?
Several factors dictate whether it is better to replace or repair damaged sewer lines. Some of these include the nature and severity of the damage, the age and material of the existing pipelines, and the likelihood of future plumbing problems.
Minor and localized damage to sewer lines is usually repairable. However, extensive damage, recurring issues, or aging piping infrastructure often requires a complete sewer line replacement. The options for repairing or replacing damaged sewer lines include the following:
- Traditional sewer line repair – Also known as open trench repair, traditional sewer line repair is ideal when access to sewer lines is limited or when replacing an entire sewer line is necessary. It involves using heavy-duty machinery to dig a trench to access buried sewer lines and then repairing or replacing broken or damaged pipes.
- Trenchless sewer line repair – Trenchless sewer repair involves a plumbing professional using tiny access points around the beginning or end of a pipe run to remove buildup or to repair or replace damaged sewer lines. Compared to traditional sewer line repairs, trenchless repairs cause little to no damage to landscaping, sidewalks, or driveways.
How To Extend the Life of Existing Sewer Lines
All sewer lines will eventually fail, but there are ways to extend their lifespan. Routine maintenance, which involves a plumber performing a camera inspection, removing buildup in the lines, and relining pipes if needed, is one way. It is also one of the most important.
Maintaining clean drains can also extend the lifespan of sewer lines. If you don’t already have them, installing drain screens can help keep grease and other food debris out of not only kitchen drains but also out of sewer lines.
Protecting sewer lines from tree root invasion can also extend their lifespan. Installing root barriers is an effective way to accomplish that.
Hire a Florida Plumbing Professional Today
To summarize, sewer lines serve as a crucial component of a home’s plumbing system. Unfortunately, they are susceptible to damage from tree root invasion, age, extreme temperatures, and a host of other things.
To learn more or to schedule a service call, consider speaking with a Gainesville Benjamin Franklin Plumbing associate today.