Take care of that broken sewer line
Your sewer line is the main thoroughfare for the wastewater and sewage from your home to the sewer system, through which the disposed material will be taken to disposal or sewage treatment facilities. If something goes wrong with the sewer line, you’re screwed. This can lead to all sorts of trouble, including some that can affect the health of the people living inside your home. That’s why it’s of utmost importance that you take care of that broken sewer line right away!
Finding the issue
It’s easy to neglect your home’s sewer main drain—especially since this part of the home isn’t visible to the naked eye. You may not even know of its existence until the time you need to fix it somehow. With that in mind, the first thing you need to do is to find the source of the problem.
What are the signs that point to a broken sewer line? You might first notice a foul smell emanating from somewhere around your home. If the line is backed up, sewer gases will go up your drains and could permeate through your home’s interior.
Another sign is when you notice your interior drains are clogging up frequently no matter how well you fix them. Because the main line is backed up, there’s still nowhere for disposed stuff to go.
If you have a yard, you might notice soggy spots near the area where your main drain is located. That’s another good indicator of a broken sewer line. Of course, lines are usually buried deep under the earth so it’s not always easy to detect these kinds of leaks.
The fix
What’s plaguing your sewer line could be something as simple as a clog that you can probably dislodge yourself using a tool, or it could be something entirely out of your DIYer hands and which will require professional help.
Sometimes, you’ll find that tree roots have caused breaks in the line after penetrating the material. Sometimes, the material itself gets damaged thanks to sheer age, and you’d need to have the line replaced.
Preventive measures
You can always take steps to help ensure that the main drain of your home’s sewer line doesn’t get clogged. One way to do this is to be careful with the stuff you stuff down the disposal. If you keep sending large chunks of food and other solid items along with considerable volumes of oil down the drain, this could cause bigger problems for you in the long run.
If you live in a relatively old home, you might want to have an inspection periodically so that you can ascertain that the sewage system is still in excellent condition.
If you encounter the telltale signs of a broken sewer line in your home, don’t wait for more issues to surface. Get a plumbing service to inspect your home at the soonest possible opportunity. If a replacement job is needed, don’t hesitate to go for it. You might have to consult with the city council before any work can be done, especially if the fix falls under the responsibility of the city.
