Troubles with a home’s sewer lines can be disastrous, as leaks can cause extensive property damage. Any damage to the house may require costly repairs, so it is advisable to catch a leak and fix it early. However, you might worry about whether workers need to dig up the front yard or elsewhere to locate the damage. Thankfully, checking for leaks or other hazards in sewer lines no longer must involve excavation.
Common Indicators of Sewer Line Problems
Stay alert to common signs of a sewer line issue. The signs may appear inside your home through seemingly minor troubles like slow-draining sinks or showers. While a minor clog may appear to be the culprit, the truth is that a partial blockage exists deep in the line. Obstructions often stubbornly refuse to go away. If you clear a backup and another one follows immediately, assume the obstruction won’t go away without a change of methods.
More Than Obstructions
Obstructions in the line might not be the only concern. Gurgling sounds warn that an obstruction may be trapping air. Foul odors rising from the drain can indicate sewage gas entering the pipes. You may even notice soggy spots in the yard. Leaking wastewater could cause these mysterious spots.
Contacting a Professional
A warning sign does not necessarily indicate a serious issue with the sewer lines. Ultimately, you can’t know the severity level until a plumber performs a thorough inspection. If you assume that things are not so bad, you might learn the hard way that they are. Since a plumber can inspect without extensive excavation, it’s best to request that they use this method.
Video Inspections
A common way to determine what is happening in the sewer lines is through a video inspection. The plumber will run a special camera attached to a cable through the sewer line. A monitor allows the plumber to review video footage to identify refuse buildups, cracks, or debris. There might be other issues at fault that you might not consider, such as tree roots causing damage or a line collapsing due to corrosion. A video capture may identify these issues as a prelude to fixing things. They may also use a radio detection system to increase precision.
Unique Testing Methods to Locate Troubles
There are other ways to locate specific problems noninvasively. Smoke testing occurs when the plumber sends nontoxic smoke into the lines and looks for any visible points where it escapes. Hydrostatic pressure testing is another method that can identify pressure drops. Likely, the pressure drop is due to a leak or damage in the line.
Discovering what is causing problems in your home’s sewer lines does not always require extensive digging. Call Ace Home Services in Phoenix, AZ with any concerns about sewer line repairs, inspections, or maintenance.