A clogged or damaged sewer line is a sure sign that you need an emergency plumber from MainLine Plumbing to visit your Ft Lauderdale, FL home. A leading cause of sewer line problems comes from the trees around your landscape. Tree roots can infiltrate your sewer line and cause serious problems that result in messy wastewater backups and sewage leaks that contaminate your environment. It’s important to know the signs of a tree root problem so you can contact your plumbing pro right away.
How Tree Roots Sabotage Sewer Lines
If your sewer line is situated nowhere near tree trees, you may never experience the dreaded sewer line tree root clog (although sewer lines can still become clogged and damaged by other means). Your sewer line is rich with nutrients and water. While these may not seem like the sort of ‘nutrients’ any human would be interested in, they are appetizing to trees.
As sewer pipes age, they can develop loose seams or pinpoint holes. The roots of nearby trees sense the water and nutrients flowing through the pipe and will grow in that direction. Tiny, thread-like roots can actually enter those tiny holes and loose pipe seams. Once they do, they will tap into that rich water supply. While that in itself isn’t a problem, the growth of the roots is. The roots that entered the pipe will continue to grow until, eventually, they stop up the pipe, causing a serious blockage to occur. Fortunately, your emergency plumber can generally deal with these types of clogs.
However, before they arrive, you might have a wastewater backup on your hands. This is what more often than not prompts property owners to call in their emergency plumber from MainLine Plumbing. Although, keep in mind that backups aren’t the only warning sign of a sewer line problem.
Warning Signs of a Tree Root Problem
A wastewater backup can be the first sign of a sewer line problem. However, there are often signs that occur before the point of backup. As tree roots begin to clog the line, they can slow the flow of water before they block it. Don’t ignore slow drains. If your home begins to experience more than one slow drain, you may need to act quickly to evaluate the sewer line issue. Multiple slow drains are an indication that a clog in the sewer line is forming. At that point, you can experience a wastewater backup at any time. If you suspect you have a sewer line clog forming, a call to an emergency plumber might be able to save you a messy drain backup.
Slow drains aren’t the only warning sign. Have you heard unusual gurgling noises coming from your plumbing system? For instance, if you’re showering, do you hear the toilet making a gurgling sound? That, too, can be a sign of a developing sewer line clog. The sooner you contact MainLine Plumbing to visit your Ft Lauderdale, FL home, the better.
Tree Roots and Sewer Line Damage
As tree roots grow within pipes, they can put tremendous pressure on the seams of the pipe. It’s not uncommon for major leaks to occur. If you notice that the area around your sewer line outside is soggy but the grass elsewhere on your landscape is dry, there’s a strong possibility that there’s a leak. You’ll need to contact an emergency plumber to assess the situation. You definitely don’t want water pooling underground where it can displace soil and affect the foundation of your home. A sewage leak is bad for your surrounding environment and can even attract pests.
In addition to leaks, tree roots and their clogs can cause pipes to rupture or collapse. That collapse can block the flow of water and waste. The result is that the water and waste comes back up through your drain and into your home. This is a definite cause to contact an emergency plumber. Sewage backups aren’t only messy. They can be dangerous as raw sewage contains harmful pathogens. The water and waste can damage flooring and drywall. Depending on the water damage, even structural elements of the home might be affected. Then, there’s the issue of mold. Water damage can quickly cause a mold outbreak.
Sewer Line Service
At the first line of a sewer line problem, call your emergency plumber. Whether the problem is due to tree roots, a buildup of debris trapped inside the pipe, or pipe damage, you need a professional to assess the situation. These types of plumbing issues are not the typical repair for a do-it-yourselfer. When you contact our plumbing service, we will bring the ideal equipment needed to auger your sewer line even if it is loaded with tree roots. Once the line is clear, the water should once again flow freely.
However, if the pipe is leaking or damaged, you may need more extensive repairs. Again, this is a job for your emergency plumber. There are various ways to approach the problem depending on the nature of the damage. In some instances, trenchless line repair may be possible; because it’s less invasive, it’s less costly. If the damage is severe and the pipe is old and brittle, it may need replacement, and that involves digging up the pipe, an extensive plumbing job but also one that’s essential in order to get your plumbing system working again.
Tree roots are a common cause of sewer line problems, but not the only cause. If you’re experiencing any problems with your sewer line, call MainLine Plumbing so we can send an emergency plumber to your Ft Lauderdale, FL home. Our plumbers are certified, experienced, and experts at what they do. You can trust us to help you maintain and repair your plumbing system.