When the temperatures plummet in winter, the last thing you want to imagine happening is a sewage backup in your home. As you prepare the rest of your home for winter’s chill, give your sewer line some TLC because underground pipes face their own set of challenges.
When winter arrives, the soil changes drastically. Evaporation reduction, moisture changes, and shifting ground conditions can put pressure on pipe joints. If a small crack exists now, it can expand and cause even greater issues. Scheduling a sewer line inspection is critical because it plays a pivotal role in keeping serious plumbing emergencies at bay.
Tree Roots Searching for Warmth
Although trees grow much slower during winter, their roots are still actively in search of water and nutrients. If there are any cracks in your sewer line, these will serve as a beacon that attracts the roots. Once the roots have found your sewer line, they will continue to grow and widen the crack, compromising it further. Over time, a root mass will form and trap everything that goes down your toilets and drains until a complete blockage forms. A plumber can spot roots in your sewer line, remove them, and make the necessary repairs before a complete collapse occurs.
Detecting Corrosion Before the Sewer Line Fails
Even the most durable sewer lines have a finite lifespan. When you have a winter inspection, this enables you to catch problems before the sewer line fails entirely. If you have cast iron pipes in your home, these are prone to channeling. This occurs when the bottom of the pipe slowly wears away until nothing is left but a dirt floor.
When this happens, the waste from your home starts to wash away the supporting soil. This eventually causes the yard above to sink or the pipe to cave. If portions of your yard are saturated even though it has not stormed lately, the chances are high that your sewer line has a major leak. Finding and fixing this problem early lets you have your sewer line repaired via trenchless methods so that you do not have to dig up your entire yard.
Soil Conditions Stressing Sewer Lines
Though freezing temperatures are seldom a concern here, soil conditions can put added stress on sewer lines. Cycles of drought and irrigation cause the ground to shift. When soil dries, it moves away from the pipes, and then presses on them again when moisture returns. This is especially stressful for aging infrastructure because years of use have already weakened the materials. During an inspection, a plumber can see if any portions of the sewer line are beginning to separate and will work with you to make the necessary repairs.
Do not wait for an emergency to act. Call ACE Cooling, Heating, Plumbing and Electrical today to schedule a camera inspection for your Phoenix, AZ home.