7 Signs You Need Sewer Cleaning Services

Homeowners are all too familiar with things that can and will go wrong in their homes. In some cases, those issues couldn’t have been predicted or avoided at all. This is quite often the situation when it comes to sewer lines. As homeowners, we should be on top of regular sewer cleaning schedules.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Sewer lines are the plumbing line that directs all the waste from your house’s toilets, sinks, tubs out towards the main line.

The main line is underneath the ground in front of your property.

Since they are hidden, we wouldn’t really think if they are due for a sewer cleaning or if any issues need addressing. The fact that sewer lines are concealed and out of sight makes it even more vital for us to know what signs to look for to prevent potential major sewer problems. Understanding the problem signs will also help in avoiding expensive replacement or repair costs.

In today’s post, we’ll learn how often we need to do sewer cleaning, what the signs are that may suggest a problem, and what the probable solutions are for these problems.

Warning Signs

Tree roots are the number one cause of sewer back-ups

Dirty pipes are not always the cause of sewer back-ups. They commonly are, but it’s best to be proactive in finding what the real root of the problem is.

Here are some of the signs that point out to you needing sewer cleaning services.

Tree Roots

These are the number one cause of sewer back-ups. Tree roots underneath your house often grow to penetrate the pipes.

The roots continue growing until they clog up the entire space completely.

In a lot of cases, we’ve seen tree roots breaking and damaging the pipes entirely, and this creates a more massive problem.

A visual inspection using a video camera specifically for checking sewer lines will help determine if tree roots are piercing through the pipes.

Grease

Grease and dirt are the worst enemies of sewer pipes.

Grease and dirt are the worst enemies of sewer pipes. Many homeowners tend to throw out used, dirty oil they used for cooking down the drain; this is terrible practice. Grease turns solid down the pipes, and over time this will clog them.

If this is a problem, the pipes will need hydro jetting. This sewer cleaning method uses a blast of water at extremely high pressure to unclog sewage lines.

Bellied Piping

Bellied piping simply means there’s a droop or sag in the pipe. This occurs when a section of your pipe droops down, creating a belly-like appearance. When the soil underneath the ground surrounding the pipes loosens up and breaks, it’s not strong enough to support the pipes, causing them to sink.

Eventually, bellied piping won’t be able to stop waste from accumulating in the part of the pipe that sunk down. Proper video inspection is needed to confirm that you have bellied piping.

Look For These Signs:

  • Do you see any raw sewage backing up into your bathtub, toilet, or drain?
  • Do you hear any gurgling noises emanating from the pipes?
  • Do you see any water pooling in the basement?
  • Is there any water coming up the shower drain when you’re using the washing machine?
  • Are your drains slow?
  • Are there any unpleasant sewer odors?

Sewer Cleaning: How Often Should It Be Done?

Sewer cleaning professionals recommend a cleaning service every 18-20 months. If you are experiencing or seeing issues outside of that time range, it’s best to call a professional to conduct a proper inspection of the pipes.

A video camera made for inspecting sewer pipes will be inserted to run down through the pipes for visual inspection. This will determine the main issue causing any sewer back-ups. This inspection also allows the cleaning professionals to give you the right recommendations for repairs or replacement solutions.

Cost of Cleaning

According to Home Advisor, plumbers will usually charge between $45 and $150 per hour for sewer cleaning services. Several factors will dictate the exact price; where you’re located, what’s included in the service, and the severity of the problem are some of the significant considerations for the cost.

Final Thoughts

We hope that the information you found in this post helped in making educated decisions when it comes to sewer cleaning, repair, and maintenance.

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