The Importance of Regular Sewer Line Inspections for Home
Having a properly functioning sewer line is one of those things that we often take for granted - until something goes wrong. Most homeowners rarely think about their sewer lines or get them inspected, assuming that as long as waste is flowing down the drain, everything must be fine. However, there are several important reasons why regular sewer line inspections and maintenance are essential for any homeowner. Keep reading to learn why you should be proactive about getting your sewer line inspected and how it can prevent major headaches, health hazards, and costly repairs down the road.
What is a Sewer Line and How Does it Work?
Before diving into why regular inspections are crucial, let's start with a quick overview of what exactly a sewer line is and how it functions. Your home's sewer line is the underground pipe that carries sewage and wastewater from your house out to the municipal sewer system or septic tank. It transports all the water and waste from your sinks, showers, toilets, washing machine, dishwasher, etc out of your home.
Most sewer lines range from 4 to 6 inches in diameter and are sloped at a downward angle to allow gravity to pull the waste through. Sewer lines are typically buried anywhere from 2 to 10 feet underground. They are composed of a durable material, usually plastic PVC, concrete, or clay. Homes built before the 1950s often have sewer lines made of metal or tile.
As you flush waste down the drain, it flows through your home's plumbing system and empties into the sewer line. It then travels downhill through the sewer line and eventually connects with the main sewer system, septic tank, or other wastewater treatment facility. Proper flow relies on the sewer line maintaining its downhill slope and structural integrity without any blockages or damage.
Why is Getting Regular Sewer Line Inspections So Important?
Now that you understand how a sewer line functions, let's explore the top reasons getting your sewer line inspected by a professional plumber every 1-2 years is so important:
Detect Problems Early
The reason for regular sewer line inspections is early problem detection. When it comes to sewer lines, an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure. Detecting issues early allows you to address them before they escalate into much larger, more destructive and expensive emergencies.
For example, minor root intrusion, small leaks, or initial pipe deterioration can often be repaired easily if identified soon enough. But if left undetected, these minor issues can progress into complete blockages, broken pipes, overflows, backups, and more. Proactive inspections allow you to stay ahead of problems. You can fix small deficiencies before they lead to catastrophic failure down the road.
Prevent Backups and Overflows
One of the worst sewer line emergencies is a backup of raw sewage into your home. Backups occur when blockages, collapses, or extreme rain/storm events cause wastewater to flow backwards into your pipes instead of out towards the main line. These extremely hazardous overflows allow disease-causing bacteria, viruses, mold and raw sewage to spread throughout your home. Timely inspections that identify potential flow issues ahead of time allow you to prevent backups before they happen.
Avoid Health Hazards
Raw sewage contains dangerous pathogens, bacteria, toxins, and parasites that can cause severe infections and serious illness if you come into contact with it. Any leaks or overflows of wastewater into your home expose your family to contamination and public health risks. Catching leaks early allows you to fix them before serious exposure occurs. Regular inspections give you peace of mind that your family's health is protected.
Protect Property from Damage
If a deteriorated sewer line breaks completely, it can release large amounts of wastewater flooding into your yard or home. This can cause massive property damage and require extensive repair work. Sewage flooding can warp floors, ruin carpeting, corrode appliances and furnishings, and cause mold growth. Proactive line inspections allow you to reinforce or replace aging pipes before they break down completely and flood your property.
Avoid Costly Emergency Repairs
As mentioned above, sewer line issues tend to start small but quickly escalate into major disasters if left unaddressed. And major disasters usually require urgent, expensive emergency repairs. Fixing a small leak may cost a few hundred dollars. But if that leak progresses to a full broken pipe and home flooding - you could be looking at many thousands of dollars in emergency clean-up and restoration work. Thorough inspections allow you to tackle repairs proactively at a much lower cost, before they snowball into emergency callouts.
Maintain Property Value
Hidden sewer line issues can turn into deal-breaking surprises when you go to sell your home. Inspections allow you to keep your sewer line well-maintained and fully functional, which preserves your home's value and marketability. No buyer wants to inherit unknown problems! Keeping your sewer line in good working order through regular check-ups demonstrates that your home and systems are being properly cared for.
How Often Should Sewer Lines Be Inspected?
Most experts recommend having your sewer line inspected every 1 to 2 years as preventative maintenance. However, there are a few scenarios where more frequent inspections may be warranted:
Homes Over 50 Years Old: Older sewer lines are more vulnerable to cracking, leaks, root intrusion and other issues. Annual inspections are wise for homes over 50 years old.
Previous Sewer Problems: If you've experienced any past sewer line troubles, it's smart to inspect more often to monitor for recurring issues.
Near Large Trees: Tree roots are attracted to the nutrients, moisture and warmth from sewer lines and frequently infiltrate and damage them. Annual inspections near large trees can prevent major root blockages.
Noticed Any Changes: If you notice gurgling drains, backed up toilets, wet spots in your yard, sluggish flow, or sewage odors - call for an immediate inspection. Don't ignore potential warning signs!
What Does a Sewer Line Inspection Entail?
Sewer line inspections are usually carried out by licensed, professional plumbers or drain specialists. There are a few different inspection methods, including:
Video Inspection: A camera probe is snaked through your sewer line to provide a visual assessment of the pipe interior on a video monitor. This allows the inspector to see any obstructions, cracks, root growth, leaks, and more.
Dye Testing: Non-toxic dye is flushed down your toilets and drains. The inspector then checks for any traces of dye surfacing in your yard, which indicate leaks or issues.
Hydrostatic Testing: Water is forced through the line with plugs blocking each end. Pressure gauges monitor any drops in water pressure, which signal pipe damage.
Smoke Testing: Smoke is blown into your sewer line and the inspector checks aerial vents and drains for smoke emerging, which reveals leaks/cracks allowing smoke to escape.
The inspector will thoroughly check all materials, joints, slopes and pipe integrity looking for any defects. You will receive a detailed report summarizing the condition and noting any repairs needed. Many times, minor issues can be addressed right away before they become big problems.
Take Action!
In summary, overlooking your buried sewer line and assuming everything is fine without professional inspections is a risky gamble that often ends badly. Regular sewer line check-ups are extremely worthwhile for detecting issues early, avoiding major emergencies, preventing health hazards, protecting your home from damage, reducing repair costs, and maintaining your property's value. Contact a qualified plumber today to schedule your next sewer line inspection! Protect your home and your family by making sure your sewer line stays in tip-top shape.