Every homeowner probably knows that the sewer system helps in transporting waste water from their homes to the underground sewer lines. Beyond that, most homeowners give very little thought to their sewer lines until an issue comes up. A sewer problem can lead to sewer backup coming out of the drains. This can lead to significant damage to a home and a costly sewer line repair or replacement. If you see a warning or a potential sewer issue, contact a plumbing service for inspection immediately. The inspection can save you from severe sewer and plumbing issues. The following are some of the signs of a broken or deteriorating sewer line that needs DC sewer repair.
Sewer Gas Odor
If you can smell sewer odor in or around your home, this is a clear sign that there is a crack somewhere in your sewer system. A sewer is usually air tight everywhere apart from the vent stacks on the roof that allows the sewage to move downhill. This means that you should never experience any sewer odor unless there is an opening or a crack in your sanitary sewer system.
Sewer Blockages And Backups
Sewer backups usually occur in the lowest open drain, and they are caused by a blockage somewhere in the sewer line. If you are experiencing sewer backups every time you run water down your bathroom drain or sink, the most common problem is likely to be in your main sewer line since all your drains rely on the main sewer line to drain properly. If the backups are limited to only one drain, then your problem could be isolated to that specific drain. You can seek the services of a plumber in DC to clean your pipes, and the drains will work properly once more.
Slow Drains
If your toilet, sink or bathtub is draining very slowly even after the sewer line is cleaned, you may have some underlying issues such as tree roots intrusions or cracks invading the sewer pipes. A slow drain may be an indication that something is forming up in the sewer system which may lead to a sewage backup. You should not use chemicals to solve slow drainage since the chemicals will eat away the pipe causing more damage.
Septic waste Pooling In Your Yard
Septic waste pooling in your home is a clear indication that there is a break in your sewer line. The problem may be a cracked main line, a broken septic tank or clogged drain fields. Most often, the problem is found directly under the pool of the sewer waste water.
Foundation Cracks And Sinkholes
Extreme signs of sewer system deterioration include foundation problems like cracks in the foundation slab, settlement and in some cases sinkholes. If the mainline that runs under the slab develops a leak that remains unattended for a long period, a void will develop in your foundation. This may lead to foundation issues such as cracks, settlements in the building or more worse a sinkhole. If you spot any of these problems, you should contact a foundation repair specialist immediately.
In conclusion, if you are experiencing any of these warning signs of a broken sewer system, you should have a sewer inspection done by a professional plumber immediately. Plumbing systems can fail terribly and cause excessive damage to your property. There are various methods of repairing the sewer out there so you should seek the advice of a plumber in DC before you make any decisions.