How to Troubleshoot Broken Sewage Line Pipes?

One of the essential parts of your plumbing system is the main sewer line. Although plumbers construct and install it with all the expertise it deserves, it can sometimes fail. A sewer line failure is one of the most unpredictable damages, but it is repairable.

If you suspect you have broken sewer line pipes, start by locating the broken parts. Knowing the source of the leak helps you prepare for the repairs adequately. The next step is looking at the extent of the damage and repairing it. You may need to replace the entire line if the damage is beyond repair.

Replacing sewer lines is a hard DIY, requiring an expert’s help. Luckily, you can get sewer line-qualified experts from J. Blanton Plumbing. The experts here do sewer and drain line repairs and can also do sewer line replacements as described at https://www.jblantonplumbing.com/. You also get same-day services, so you won’t worry about more damage caused by damaged sewer lines.

Signs you have a broken sewer line

Sometimes it is hard to notice a failing plumbing system until there are leaks. This is the same with sewer lines because the pipes get buried in the soil. However, some of the ways to tell there is a broken sewer line in the home are the following.

1.  Drainage issues

Sewer lines drain dirty water from kitchen sinks, bathtubs, showers, and toilets. If there is a problem, water and other materials won’t flow through the sewer line effectively, affecting the performance of the sinks, restrooms, and bathrooms.

If you notice water draining from these sinks is slow, there could be an issue with your sewer line. Although it does not seem like it, sewer lines are an essential part of the plumbing system, and they can cause other parts of the system to stop working. 

2.  Odors

Odors happen when there is dirty water stagnating at a point. It could be due to blocked sinks, toilets, or bathtubs. You could also notice smells in the yard if the sewer line breaks. This happens when the dirty water seeps through the yard soil and floods the place.

3.  Floods in the home

Besides causing odors and drainage issues, broken sewer lines can affect other parts of the plumbing system leading to water damage. For example, if a major water pipe breaks, you will experience flooding in the home, destroying furniture and wood floors.

A flooding home is also dangerous because operating electricals while stepping on the stagnant water can cause electric shocks. Even worse, floods cause mold and mildew, which discolors walls and can cause respiratory problems. 

What to do if you have broken sewer pipes?

Although broken sewer pipes can cause more trouble, they are repairable. Once you notice the problem, look for the broken and leaking parts to determine the extent of the problem. Then, it would be best to repair the pipe or call a professional plumber to replace it. 

1.  Find the pipe

Finding the broken sewer pipe is the first step to solving your sewer problem. However, locating the leaking line could be challenging, depending on your home’s construction. It is easier to find the pipe if you have a crawl space under the basement.

Start finding the leaking part if you notice the pipe breakage through odor in the yard or flooding. It will require you to dig the ground to reach the pipe, so be careful not to cause more damage. 

Finding the broken pipe makes work easier for the plumber. Besides, you will see the extent of the damage and decide whether to repair or replace it. However, if locating the broken part of the sewer line is complicated, wait for the plumber to find it. 

2.  Determine the extent and cause of the damage

Seeing the broken sewer line will help you understand what you are dealing with. If the cause of the breakage is a crack, the damage might be minimal, so you don’t need an entire sewer line replacement.

However, if tree roots growing in the sewer line causes a breakage, the damage could be extensive and need an entire pipe replacement. The extent of the damage will also rely on the pipe material. For example, clay pipes crack more extensively than steel and copper. 

3.  Repair or replace

Whether to repair the crack or replace the entire system depends on how bad the breakage is. Some damages are too big for repairs because the line cannot pass water anymore. Besides, if the repair will cost equivalent to pipe replacement, you can choose to replace it.

Repairing or replacing the pipe will make your sewer system work again. You can tell if the repairs were successful if there are no more clogs, odors, and flooding in the house. 

4.  Hire a professional plumber

You can only repair or replace damaged sewer lines if you are an experienced plumber. If not, consider hiring one. DIY plumbing system installation can cause more harm than good because you could damage correctly working pipes.

Plumbers have the expertise and experience to treat a failing sewer line. They first find the cause of the problem, do the repairs, and advise on preventing future sewer line breakages. 

How to avoid future sewer line breakages?

Dealing with broken sewer lines can be stressful and tiring. Therefore, it is advisable to prevent the pipes from breaking by carrying out yearly inspections. Although the assessments seem costly, they can save you from more costs of hiring a plumber and replacing the sewer lines.

Another way to avoid future sewer line breakages is by removing trees near the sewer line. Unfortunately, these trees grow strong roots that could cause cracks and bursts in the pipes, causing more repair costs.

Also, ensure you correctly use the sewage system. Avoid disposing of materials that cause blockage, like plastic bags and pieces of clothes.

Final words

Some ways to know if a sewer pipe has cracks or busted is if there is flooding in the garden, slow drains, and flooding in the house. Although broken sewer lines are complicated, you can troubleshoot the problem by finding the broken part, determining its extent, and repairing it. Consider hiring a plumber to do a better job.