No other system can fulfill the role your home’s sewer pipes play—transporting waste from your home to wastewater treatment plants. Yet when these lines stop working correctly, sewage can back up into your home and create numerous problems, including clogged toilets and foul smells. So, learn the most frequent causes of sewer line failure to help protect your home and identify when you need professional sewer pipe repair.

Hicks Plumbing Service offers fast and efficient sewer repair services to home- and business owners throughout Manassas, VA. Our team has 30+ years of industry experience, which we leverage to deliver top-notch customer service. Moreover, we provide emergency plumbing services 7 days a week and around the clock. To learn more about our plumbing services and availability, call (703) 803-7466 today.

Below, we outline the leading causes of sewer line disruption: 

Common Causes of Sewer Line Damage

Since sewer pipes lie underground, you can’t investigate them directly. However, you can watch for warning signs that your sewer line is working incorrectly, which include strong odors, gurgling toilets, and higher concentrations of mildew than usual. These symptoms generally stem from one of the following causes:

Tree Roots

Despite trees’ natural beauty, their roots can cause plumbing problems over long periods. Tree roots never stop growing and will expand toward areas that offer nutrients, such as leaky sewer lines. If a root penetrates the sewer line, you must have it addressed immediately. Roots can block sewer lines and exploit existing leaks to cause further damage.

Blockages

Since a clogged or blocked sewer pipe can’t drain waste, sewage can sit therein and eventually back up into your home. Yet blockages are often caused by materials that shouldn’t go into pipes, such as:

• Grease: Although a liquid when hot, grease hardens inside pipes as it cools and sticks to their lining.
• Non-Disposable Papers or Trash: Anyone who uses the toilets in your home must use paper products that will dissolve in water. Non-dissolvable substances will get stuck in the pipe.
• Solid Food Waste: Be careful about the food you toss into your sink’s garbage disposal. Large particles and other solid food substances should not go down the drain.

Corrosion

All the materials that sewer pipes can be made of—metal, concrete, and clay—wear down over time, leading to corrosion and damage. Pipes leak as a result, allowing sewage to seep into the ground and soften the earth. That soil can then penetrate the pipe and create a blockage. 

Erosion

Natural conditions wear on every landscape, eroding rocks and soil over time. Individuals with homes on hills may find that heavy rains cause property patches to crumble and disintegrate. In some cases, this erosion can damage sewer lines along the way.

When to Invest in Sewer Pipe Repair

If you notice bad smells emanating from a bathroom or “slow” drains, your sewer line may be the cause. Call professionals for repairs or replacement as soon as possible, as these problems will only worsen over time. If left neglected, your plumbing system may suffer compound problems (such as corrosion and root blockages). 

During repairs, technicians must pinpoint the problem’s source and determine the best way to fix it. Sometimes, that may entail removing a blockage so wastewater can flow correctly. In other cases, they may need to replace sewer line pipe sections. For the latter scenario, Hicks Plumbing recommends trenchless sewer repair, as it involves no digging and far less expense than a traditional repair.

Professional Sewer Pipe Repair Available in Manassas, VA!

Whether you want a routine water line inspection or comprehensive sewer pipe repairs, contact Hicks Plumbing Service. Our professional team works throughout Manassas, VA, to ensure homes and residents remain healthy and comfortable. You can learn more about our options or schedule a plumbing service call at (703) 803-7466.