Buried deep beneath your front yard is a very important part of your home’s plumbing system. It’s the sewer line. When you flush a toilet, drain a sink, or run the washing machine the plumbing system inside your home sends wastewater into the sewer line. Where it’s removed from your home.

Over time, sewer lines can become damaged. There are many reasons a sewer line might fail. Tree root, looking for water and nutrients are drawn to the moisture in the sewer line. Small roots can grow into the pipe through joints, sometimes causing the drain to slow or clog. As the roots grow, they weaken the joints and wastewater escapes, eroding the surrounding soil. The end result, the pipe collapses and the drain fails.

Shifting ground can result in pipes becoming misaligned. The result is the same, sewer drain failure. If your home was built before 1972, there’s a chance you may have Orangeburg pipe. Orangeburg pipe is made from asphalt and wood pulp, essentially it’s tar paper. Lightweight and brittle, this pipe material absorbs moisture and deforms under pressure.

Sewer Line Warning Signs

The warning signs of a compromised sewer line include:

Slow drains
Clogged drains
Gurgling sounds from pipes
Sewer waste backing up into the home
Frequent calls for rooter service

If you suspect you have a problem with your sewer line, give Anthony’s Plumbing a call. We use video technology to inspect your sewer and drain lines to accurately locate and diagnose any problems. If problems are found our advanced sewer line repair technicians can repair the lines with minimal disruption to your yard and landscaping.