Sewer Line Damage Is a Potentially Serious Problem
Your home’s sewer line is a stretch of pipe that connects your home wastewater system to the Carrollton municipal sewer system. It’s located on your property, meaning that, as homeowner, you’re responsible for its upkeep.
Under certain circumstances the sewer line may become damaged or blocked and stop draining properly. This can cause the drains to back up, potentially leading to flooding of water and raw sewage into your home.
Sewer line problems can cause costly damage to your home and are a potential health hazard if raw sewage should back up or flood your home. If you suspect any problems with your sewer line, it’s important to call a Carrollton plumber right away to find and fix the problem.
What Causes Carrollton Sewer Line Damage?
There are three issues that are the most common causes of sewer line problems:
- Trees
If a tree or large shrub is planted too close to a sewer line, its root system may eventually grow large enough to interfere with the sewer line, either crushing the pipe or even entering the line.
- Old pipes
In older homes, pipes can become worn and corroded, increasing the risk that they break or leak. Cast iron lines are common in Carrollton and surrounding suburbs. Cast iron pipes are susceptible to rust, which makes them brittle and breakable, especially when they are older than 25 years old.
- Blockages
In newer homes, sewer line issues are often blockages caused by disposal of items that shouldn’t go down the drain, such as paper towels, wipes, and feminine hygiene products.
- Bellies in the line
As dirt settles over time under your home, the sewer line may be pushed down, causing it to sag. This sagging means water and waste stand in the pipe, and items that go down the line get stuck in low-lying areas. This may eventually cause that area to stop up and not allow the drainage system to flow properly.
Watch Out for These Signs of Sewer Line Damage
Keeping your sewer line in good repair can be tricky because this is a part of your plumbing system that you can’t see. It’s buried beneath your home’s concrete slab, so it’s not something you can easily take a look at if you suspect a problem.
Thankfully, there are warning signs you might notice around your home. If you notice any of these, call a local Carrollton plumber ASAP.
Keep an eye out for:
Slow drains: One or more of your home drains might be draining more slowly than normal. This can be a very early sign of a drainage problem. If more than one drain is affected, it’s likely that the source of the problem is in the sewer line.
Water backing up: If you use one drain, does water back up into the toilet or into other drains around the home? When multiple drains are affected in this way, it’s a sign that the problem might be with the sewer main line.
Drains making noises: If the drains make unusual gurgling sounds when draining water or if you hear unusual noises or see bubbles when flushing the toilet, it might mean a sewer line issue is happening.
Noticeable sewage odors: If you smell sewage odors in your home, that’s a sure sign of a sewer line problem or even a broken seal inside your home. Call a plumber immediately—sewer gases are potentially hazardous to your health and may be flammable.
Outdoor signs: If you notice unusually green and lush grass patches—especially near your sewer line—this could be a sign the sewer line is damaged and is releasing sewage into the ground. If your lawn is flooded or you notice sewage odors outside, these are strong signs of a sewer line issue.
Sewage problems without warning: While you may notice one or more warning signs, there are occasions where water or sewage starts backing up without any warning at all. If this happens, call a Carrollton plumber right away. In the meantime, avoid using water (including washing machines), as any further usage may cause further backups and lead to flooding.
Learn more about the signs of sewer line damage here.
How Can I Prevent Sewer Line Damage?
Keep your home’s sewer line in good working order by following these simple rules:
- If you plant trees in your yard, place them well away from where your sewer line is buried.
- Check the expected root circumference of any trees and large shrubs in your yard to be sure they won’t interfere with the sewer line as they get bigger. If there’s a risk of sewer line interference, consider having them moved or removed.
- Be careful what you toss down the drain or toilet. This means no:
- Cigarette butts, rubber bands, or any other small items
- Paper towels, wipes (even ones that claim to be flushable), or feminine hygiene products
- Problem foods, such as bones, stringy vegetables, and rice in the garbage disposal – Toss them in the trash instead.
- Harsh chemical cleaners, including drain cleaners. They can promote corrosion of the pipes themselves or the glues holding them together.
Why Choose CW Service Pros for Sewer Line Repair in Carrollton, TX?
- Simple, upfront pricing
No hidden cost or surprise fees, ever. Once we’ve reviewed your sewer line case, we’ll give you a written estimate before the work starts.
- Same-day appointments
Whenever possible, we’ll send a technician to your home the same day you call.
- Courteous and knowledgeable plumbers
All technicians undergo background checks and receive ongoing training in plumbing and customer care.
- Brands you can trust
We use quality tools and parts from the most trusted brands.
- 24/7 emergency service
Got a problem that can’t wait? Call any time, any day for plumbing emergency services.
- City permits
If work on your sewer line needs a permit from the city of Carrollton, we’ll take care of pulling the permit and scheduling the inspection.
- Our customers love us!
We’ve received multiple recognitions and awards from sites such as Thumbtack, Expertise.com, Angi, and more! We’re also A+ rated with the Better Business Bureau!
- Satisfaction guaranteed
If you’re not happy with our work for any reason, we’ll stay on the job until we exceed your expectations!
How Will CW Service Pros Repair My Carrollton, TX Sewer Line?
CW Service Pros uses three main methods for detecting sewer line problems in Carrollton homes:
- Camera inspection
- Sewer isolation testing
- Smoke testing
Camera inspection: We send a small camera down your sewer line to locate the source of the problem and find out what’s going on. Camera inspection lets us see exactly where the breakage or blockage is located and whether there’s line damage caused by corrosion or root growth.
Sewer isolation testing: This tests the entire system to verify if there are any areas that are broken or damaged and allowing sewage to seep out of the pipe and under your home. By isolating each line individually, we can narrow down where the issues are, even when hidden under the slab.
Smoke testing: This method is used in cases where there’s a risk of dangerous sewer gases leaking into your home. To perform a smoke test in Carrollton, we access the sewer line and send smoke through your home’s sewer system. By examining the path the smoke takes, we can determine where your sewer line may be damaged or broken. Smoke testing lets us find the source of the problem, especially if it involves a broken seal around a toilet or a break within a wall cavity.
How We Clean a Blocked Sewer Line
For a blocked sewer pipe, we’ll use a sewer snake or hydrojet to shift the blockage.
- We use a sewer snake to remove objects like tree roots or foreign objects.
- Hydrojetting is a high-pressure jet of water that we use to scrub the inside of the pipe free from built-up grease and grime.
Cleaning a blocked sewer line is usually a quick job, taking no more than a day in most cases.
Repairing and Replacing a Damaged Sewer Line
A damaged pipe typically needs to be either repaired or replaced.
Sewer line repair: If there’s just a small amount of damage, we can perform spot-repairs on existing pipe, without having to replace the entire line.
Sewer line replacement: For badly damaged pipes, it’s more effective to replace rather than repair. Traditionally, replacing sewer line means digging to expose the pipes so they can be removed and new pipes laid. This job can take from one day to several days, depending on how accessible the sewer line is. It can be a big job, but new PVC pipe can last for a very long time, and with good habits and maintenance, replacement should prevent future problems.
Do You Need Carrollton Sewer Line Repair or Replacement?
Your repair options depend entirely on the location and extent of the damage to your sewer line. If we can, we’ll perform spot repairs on damaged sections of pipe. But if the damage is too extensive for repair to be a practical option, we may recommend that the sewer line is completely removed and replaced.
Financing Options for Sewer Line Repair and Plumbing Services with CW Service Pros
When it comes to financing home repairs, it’s good to have options. That’s why CW Service Pros offers our customers multiple ways to pay.
We partner with Synchrony Financial for financing on sewer pipe repair and replacement work. Financing terms range from 18 months with 0% interest to longer-term, low-interest options. All financing options include labor and materials warranties.
Click here to learn more about financing options. And check out our coupons page to learn how you can save on plumbing repairs!
For All Your Carrollton, TX Sewer Repair Needs
If you’ve noticed any signs of a sewer line problem in your home, it’s important to get help immediately. Left unchecked, sewer line issues can escalate quickly, leading to costly water damage.
Call CW Service Pros today, and we’ll send a licensed expert plumber straight to your door to inspect your sewer line and get to work on repairing the damage. For sewer line problems and all your plumbing needs in Carrollton, TX, call CW Service Pros on 972-395-2597.