If you’ve noticed foul odors or strange sounds from your drains, you could be looking at serious plumbing problems. Your sewer line may be damaged or clogged, and weird smells and noises are just a few of the signs that you need a sewer line inspection.
Preventing problems in your home is the surest way to save money. When it comes to plumbing, especially, an ounce of prevention is worth several pounds of cure. That’s because plumbing problems tend to escalate.
That’s because when you get plumbing problems, you often get water problems, which leads to property damage and even household contamination. So, preventing potential sewer line problems with a professional inspection is always worth the money spent.
Types of Sewer Inspections
While big municipalities perform their own sewer inspections, property owners are almost always responsible for maintaining the lateral runs to the mains. These lateral runs are the drainage pipes from your home to the main sewer line buried near streets.
For residential customers, a plumbing technician uses an inspection camera to view and record the length of the lateral sewer run. Having a recording of the inspection offers the chance to inspect the condition of the pipes closely and as many times as necessary.
Issues Uncovered with a Sewer Line Inspection
Most sewer line inspections are performed to prevent problems rather than diagnose them. A thorough inspection allows you to prevent serious issues caused by:
Roots
Tree roots are notorious for infiltration cracked sewer lines. Over time, tree roots can bust open sewer lines with their network of small hairlike feeder roots.
Once you know this is happening, your plumbing tech and remove any invasive tree roots with a hydro-jet cleaning, which protects your pipes without damaging the tree.
Blockages
When people become lazy about what they flush, it results in a serious blockage. Diapers, washcloths, and other non-organic matter often gets flushed accidentally.
Sewer line inspections help you and your plumber identify any potential blockage hazards or pinpoint the location where they have already occurred.
Deterioration
Sewer pipes have a limited lifespan, depending on the materials used. Owners of older homes with clay or galvanized steel pipes find that they’ll eventually corrode and break. Knowing the exact location of any weak spots can help you affect a more affordable repair.
Accidental damage
Even underground, sewer pipes can become damaged when driven over by heavy equipment. Floods and earthquakes may also cause permanent damage hidden underground.
Do You Need a Sewer Line Inspection?
There are times when getting a pre-emptive inspection of your sewer lines is good policy. This includes:
After a flooding
After construction equipment has been used on your lawn
Before purchasing a new home
Before selling your old home
5 Signs You Need a Sewer Line Inspection
There are also a few signs of impending problems that should trigger an inspection. If you notice any of the following signs, you should schedule an inspection.
1. Gurgling noises from drains
Your drains are designed to permit excess air to vent through a pipe to the exterior. When wastewater is trapped, it displaces air in the lines, causing a gurgling noise. If you hear this noise from only one drain, the problem is probably in that particular drain. However, if you’re hearing it from several drains, it could mean a sewer line blockage.
2. Foul odors from drains
If you notice a sewer smell emanating from the drains in the shower or sink, you could indicate a blockage. Your sewer line may not be venting properly due to the clog, which means that foul odors are escaping upward toward the drains.
3. Slow drains at multiple points
A single slow drain can indicate a clog in the waste pipe. However, if many of the drains in your home are emptying slowly, it could be a blockage in the sewer line. An inspection will help the plumber find out exactly where it’s located.
4. Landscape changes
While it may seem like a upside, if your lawn turns green suddenly, it may really be a problem with a broken sewer pipe underground. Other signs can be sunken spots in the turf.
5. Toilet acts strangely
Your toilet may be the first indication that you have a problem with your sewer line. After all, it’s the one fixture directly connected to the sewer with the largest waste pipe. If the water levels in the bowl seem to be low or changeable, and if the toilet makes a gurgling noise when you use the sink, it’s time for a sewer line inspection.
Prevent costly repairs with one simple step. Make an appointment today with the plumbing experts at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Port St. Lucie for a sewer line inspection.