Sewer Repair in Winston-Salem, NC
Homeowners are keen to put an end to sewer problems as they can be among the more pressing of plumbing concerns. A sluggish drain is a nuisance, but when you have a sewage backup, it can render sections of your home off limits. The trouble is that with sewer lines being underground, one cannot always tell what has gone wrong by simply looking for a leak.
At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Triad, we handle sewer repair in Winston-Salem and the rest of the Triad area, from Kernersville to Greensboro and High Point. We will put the system through its paces to see if a clog or root intrusion calls for a simple fix or if a damaged pipe means the line needs to be replaced.
How to Tell Your Sewer Line Needs Attention
Often the first hint of trouble comes from inside the house. While a single slow drain may only require some attention, multiple drains running at the same time points to issues deeper in the system. Other things to watch for are:
- Clogs that come back
- Gurgling from the toilet or a drain
- Bubbles in the toilet when another fixture is in use
- Wastewater returning up a drain
- Unusual green spots or wetness in the yard
- Sewage smells making their way indoors
- Ongoing backup issues
When more than one fixture is involved, it is time to give the main line a good look. A camera inspection will pinpoint a blockage or broken pipe without the need to start digging up the yard right away. It is the best way for a plumber to assess whether the job is just removing an obstruction or something more involved, particularly if the problem has been recurring.
The State of Sewer Lines in Winston-Salem
You will find homes of all eras in our neighborhoods. Washington Park dates to the early 1900s; West Salem has 19th-century origins, and the West End was put in place over a hundred years ago. That means some sewer lines have seen decades of service and many rounds of repair.
An old pipe has not necessarily failed on account of age, but materials do get corroded or cracked and become easy prey for roots. Then there is the local terrain. Forsyth County is part of the Piedmont with its clay soils which compact and hold water. The ebb and flow of wet and dry weather puts its own strain on what is buried below.
And trees, as well. Roots are drawn to moisture and will exploit even a small opening in an older line. From there, they can grow and trap debris.
Local conditions like heavy rain can also be a factor. While precipitation does not, of itself, damage a private line, saturated ground will expose any weakness. The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities point to everything from grease and wipes to line breaks as the usual suspects behind sanitary sewer overflows in the collection system. In the end, what a homeowner puts down the drain is of consequence. A clog in a private sewer line is often the result of fats, oils, grease, and sanitary items like wipes. You should not be fooled by products that are sold as flushable; they can still be a source of trouble for the sewer. The best way to avoid a backup that could have been prevented is to keep such materials out of the plumbing altogether.
Sewer Line Repair and Replacement
What constitutes the proper repair is a matter of how severe the damage is and where it has occurred. In some instances, a clog can be cleared, or a small section put right. But if there is more widespread deterioration, replacement becomes necessary.
Where conditions permit, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing will offer trenchless options for sewer repair. This type of work is done from limited access points, so there is no need to put in a long trench across the property, sparing the yard and landscaping from disruption. Then there is pipe lining. After the old pipe is cleaned, we put in an internal lining to form a new protective surface. It is a sound approach when the existing pipe and its surroundings allow for it.
But not every broken sewer can be handled in this fashion. A pipe that has collapsed or been substantially displaced calls for traditional methods of repair or replacement. An inspection with a sewer line camera will tell us what is called for before any work commences.
Who Is Responsible for Sewer Repair in Winston-Salem?
Responsibility hinges on whether the damage is to public or private infrastructure, so pinpointing the location is key. Breaks in the wastewater mains in the street are the concern of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities. As a rule, the property owner is on the hook for lines and breaks on his or her own land. The city considers the service line from the building to the main to be part of the private plumbing.
There is a difference in how the city treats a blockage in the home’s service line versus one in the public main. In the latter case, the Good Neighbor Policy may extend some assistance for certain first-time backups. Given these distinctions, a professional inspection is well worth having prior to any major undertaking.
Protecting Your Yard and Your Home
Homeowners are not keen on having their landscaping disturbed over a sewer line repair. We try to be as unobtrusive as possible while still getting a dependable fix. That is important in our area, with its mature trees and the character you find in communities around Old Salem and other Triad landmarks. It is why we like working in the area.
Of course, if there is a gurgling sound, an odor that will not go away, slow drains, or a full sewer backup, it is best not to let a small issue turn into an emergency. For homes and businesses in Winston-Salem, Kernersville, Greensboro, High Point, and the rest of the Triad, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is here to provide the repair and replacement services needed.
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