Sewer lines are an integral part of the indoor plumbing system, and when sewer pipes are worn and faulty, they can rupture, causing biohazards to infect your dwelling spaces. Because your sewer lines play such an important role in the indoor plumbing system, it’s not surprising that these plumbing issues get elevated to the level of emergency quickly. In the past, isolating the cause of sewer system issues could take longer, and the process can be considerably more disruptive and destructive.
Sewer Line Camera Inspection Problems
Sewer line inspections haven’t always been an efficient process. Before many of the modern innovations to the process, inspections and repairs often required excavation and lawn disruption. With sewer line camera inspections, you can now have your sewer system inspected without the destruction and time of traditional trench sewer repair. Using an industry-specific digital camera, the device is sent into the sewer line where it can capture pictures which a plumbing expert will be able to review for problems and create a strategy for repairs. Sewer line camera technology has been around for some years now, but it has completely changed the way plumbers approach sewer issues. There are several plumbing issues where opting for video or camera confirmation could save time and money.
- Hairline Cracks: A hairline crack is small and usually not detectable initially because due to the small size of the crack, they don’t always leak. Hairline cracks are typically caused when debris in a sewer line is pressed into a pipe with force when water pressure is high, which causes the pipe to expand and a fracture to form. These cracks don’t have to be repaired immediately, but it’s always good to know where they are because eventually, they will need to be repaired or replaced. Clay and iron pipes are prone to hairline cracks as they age and become brittle.
- Sagging Pipes: Pipes will begin to sag as they age because of the combination of the weight of the pipes, their contents, and geological factor that can impact the system. A sagging pipe means the pipes in question will have to fight gravity and momentum to push waste to its intended location. When the sagging pipe has too much stress on the line, the waste in those pipes can stop moving and cause waste and debris to become trapped in parts of your sewer line.
- Worn Joints: Using camera inspection tools, you can also examine the condition of your sewer pipes and joints. These pipes and joints can become worn or begin to shift as the ground moves naturally over time. Ground swells can also cause pipes to shift over time. As the pipes age and move, they weaken, and the joints can detach or become ill-fitted. Once those joints no longer fit, there will be leaks of water and waste. Additionally, the debris can enter the line and cause clogs to form.
- Tree Roots: If you are on a lot with older trees, their roots can invade your sewer line and cause serious problems for your plumbing system. Tree roots grow slowly, but they can grow out farther than you’d think away from the tree itself. Homeowners are often surprised when they find tree roots close to a sewer line when the tree is not remotely close. The tree roots will gravitate towards the water mist coming from the buried pipes. Once they reach the pipe, they can invade the pipes and grow into it or strangle it causes it to buckle or break.
Now that there are alternatives to the more destructive forms of sewer inspection and repair. It’s impossible to enjoy the comforts of a modern home without a functioning sewer system. Properly installed and cared for sewer lines can last for decades, so it’s important to take care of your entire plumbing system.
Call the HVAC specialists at Wallner today at (530) 223-5622 or contact us online to schedule an appointment or to speak to one of our experts.
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