Common causes of sewer line problems

Believe it or not, trees are among the top common causes of sewer line problems around the world. Tree roots can extend well beyond the average root surface visible to the human eye, and thus they will eventually crush drainage pipes and other underground pipes buried beneath the earth's surface. When this happens, excess sewage gas and drainage water have the potential to leak into local water supplies and lakes, potentially contaminating the drinking water of hundreds of thousands of residents of a city. This is a very real problem that many cities around the world are experiencing. Unfortunately, there isn't a simple, one-stop solution available to solve line damage caused by tree roots. Fortunately, however, there are a number of preventative measures you can take to address this problem on your own.

The most common causes of sewer line problems involve root structures found within the walls of soil. Tree roots may extend deep enough within a drain to infiltrate surrounding walls and underground infrastructure, including pipes and utility lines. As a result, if you want to know how to fix sewer line problems caused by tree root presence, you need to first identify where the roots are originating from. Doing this can be tricky, as they are often difficult to see using the naked eye.

One of the most common causes of sewer line problems is tree roots and associated blockages is poor landscaping. Specifically, poor vegetation and tree pruning techniques can lead to what's called "backyard composting." This is where soil, vegetation, trees, and shrubs are compacted so much that water cannot flow freely through them. If this occurs, waste gases, debris, insects, and rodents can form within the pipes. Fortunately, there are a number of steps you can take to address potential problems caused by backyard composting.

Common pipe repair needs including clearing away any existing obstructions. If your home has a tree or shrub in the yard, take down it and remove the roots or dead limbs to improve the drainage around the sewer pipe. In certain cases, you might need to replace the pipes entirely. However, before attempting to do so, it's important to assess whether your plumbing system actually needs to be repaired or replaced in the first place.

A blocked sewer line can also occur due to problems with sewer lines' construction. For example, older houses may have soil mixed with the clay layer in their sewer lines. If this is the case, you can help minimize problems by adding sand to the top of your soil. Alternatively, you can apply chemicals to the clay layer to improve its permeability. Additionally, make sure that you mow the lawn regularly to ensure proper drainage. The clippings from your grass clippings will likely contain limes and this substance is very useful for improving sewer line problems.

It's also possible to cause a pipe blockage or breakage from natural causes like tree root intrusion. Tree root intrusion can be caused by improper waterproofing and can be exacerbated by wet soil. To address this issue, make sure that your house has a good waterproofing system and check for leaks around the house. In addition, you can use tree netting to cover exposed pipe joints and to prevent roots from entering through pipe joints. If you feel that your sewage pipes are suffering from damage and want to address the problem, it's best to contact a professional plumbing company and let them perform proper sewer line repairs.