Side Sewer Repair
The Ultimate Guide to Side Sewer Repairing
Few things are more crucial than keeping your plumbing in excellent operating condition when it comes to house maintenance. Every part of your home’s plumbing system, from the wash basin to the shower, plays an important role in your everyday life. When anything goes wrong, it might be inconvenient.
The side sewer, the pipe that links your home’s plumbing to the main sewage line, is a crucial component of your plumbing system. Sadly, side sewers deteriorate with time, and when they collapse, the consequences can be unpleasant, expensive, and dangerous to your health and safety.
In this article, we will go over the basics of side sewer repair, such as the most prevalent sources of damage, warning indications of a problem, and the best techniques to repair and replace damaged side sewers. Without further ado, let’s get started!
What is Side Sewer?
A lateral sewer line, also known as a side sewer, is a pipe that transports wastewater from a building or residence to the main sewage line, which is normally in the street. The side sewer is linked to the plumbing system of the building and travels underground in a straight path from the building to the main sewage line.
The side sewer oversees transporting all wastewater from the plumbing fixtures in the building, such as sinks, toilets, and showers, to the main sewage line. If the side sewer gets blocked or broken, it can produce backups and sewage spills, causing substantial damage to the structure and its surroundings.
To avoid backups and safeguard your property and the environment, maintain your side sewer in excellent functioning condition.
How Does a Side Sewer Work?
A side sewer is a conduit that conveys wastewater and other liquid waste away from a building and into the municipal sewage system. The gravity makes the water flow in the side sewer system.
The pipeline’s slope guarantees that wastewater flows away from the building and towards the main sewage line. Since this system is often underground and out of sight, it is easy to overlook its existence until something goes wrong. In case of side sewer destruction, it can pose serious problems for the building and its residents.
Side Sewer Damage Signs
In case of a sewage system emergency, being aware of the warning signs will allow you to act quickly and call in a professional:
🡺 Water Problems in the Home
The residence might flood if a drainpipe in the house springs a leak or breaks. Mold growth is one of the first symptoms to appear.
It’s possible that this indicates a problem with the sewage system within your house and that you should get in touch with a plumber right once.
🡺 Draining Problems
An obstruction in the main sewage line can be detected if numerous drains in the house get clogged simultaneously, even if some pipes coming straight from a sink or shower clogs.
If your toilet begins making a gurgling or hissing noise, it can be a sign of a serious clog that is forcing air back up the drain line.
🡺 Foul-Smelling Area or Flooded
A damaged sewage line might cause flooding in the yard. Depending on the environment, you can bury side sewer pipes a few feet to several feet underground.
If a sewage line near the ground springs a leak, the resulting pool of water can rapidly become apparent as it penetrates through the grasses. Sewage gas can infiltrate the soil, so you can detect it before it appears in your yard.
Side Sewer Damage Causes
There are several potential causes of side sewer damage, and it’s important to be aware of the signs so that you can address any issues as soon as possible. Here are some of the most common causes of side sewer damage:
🖝 Extreme Temperatures
Frozen pipes can burst due to ice expansion in very cold conditions. It’s not only the cold that can cause pipes to burst; excessive heat can do the same thing, albeit it’s quite unusual.
🖝 Pipes are Fully Clogged Because of Dirt and Other Objects
At your house, only flush toilet paper and fecal matter. It’s best to refrain from flushing things like hard substances since they don’t break down correctly and can build clogs that no drain cleaner can clear.
Similarly, pouring fat and oil from the stove down the drain might block the pipes in the kitchen. After these liquids have cooled, pour them into a box and throw them away.
🖝 Corroded Pipes
Even when galvanized to prevent rusting, steel and cast-iron pipes are vulnerable to corrosion from the buildup of calcium and magnesium due to normal use. Pipes can develop leaks and fractures if you don’t address the corrosion problem.
🖝 Tree Roots
Tree roots are a frequent culprit when it comes to clogs in the sewage system. To find water, a tree’s roots will grow in whichever direction they can.
Roots are drawn to sewage pipes’ moisture and decaying matter, which is especially problematic if a crack or other leak exists.
Tree roots can cause major damage to a sewage system when they come into contact and begin to wrap and breakthrough pipes. Clay sewage pipes, common in older houses, are especially vulnerable to destruction from intrusion by tree roots.
Sewer Line Repair and Replacement
You can either dig some ground surrounding the broken or leaking section of the sewage pipe or employ trenchless sewer line repairs. This kind of repair is a viable option since it requires less excavation and saves time and money.
Professionals begin by inserting a recording device into the sewage system and making repair suggestions. Afterward, a plumber will suggest some fixes, such as:
❒ Pipe Bursting
You can’t use the pipeline method on severely damaged sewage lines. In these cases, you require a more intrusive trenchless repair.
Techs will use a cone-shaped bit fed through your line to ruin the pipe and make room for a brand-new one. Although this method doesn’t need substantial digging, it is more costly and time-consuming.
❒ Pipe Lining
Pipe lining involves inserting an inflated tube coated with epoxy into a sewage pipe with little damage. Afterward, you have an inflated pipeline until it presses against the preexisting pipe.
The epoxy seals the leak as it dries and solidifies against the preexisting sewer pipe. After fixing the side sewer, you can remove the inflated tube.
When a sewage line is severely damaged, the only option is to replace the whole line. Technicians will have to dig some ground and expose the broken or damaged connections, which is time-consuming and expensive. On the other hand, excavation will be required if there is significant damage to your home’s sewage system.
How to Safeguard Your Side Sewer?
Protecting your side sewer can help prevent damage and save you money in the long run. Here are some approaches you can adopt to protect your side sewer:
- Be mindful of what you flush – Don’t flush anything down the toilet except for human waste and toilet paper. Flushing things like wipes, tampons, and other sanitary products can clog your side sewer and cause damage.
- Use a drain strainer – Install a filter in your kitchen sink to prevent food scraps, oil, and grease from going down the drain and potentially clogging your side sewer.
- Watch what you pour – Don’t pour cooking oil, grease, or other liquids down the drain. They can solidify and clog your side sewer.
- Don’t plant trees too close – The roots of trees can grow into your side sewer, causing blockages and damage. Be sure to plant trees at least 10 feet away from your sewer line.
- Schedule regular inspections – Regular inspections can help identify potential issues with your side sewer before they become major problems. Consider having your side sewer inspected by a professional plumber every few years.
Side Sewer FAQs
What is Involved in Sewer Maintenance?
Maintaining a functional sewage system entails checking, cleaning, and repairing the plumbing and sewer pipe. To do this, plumbers need to use specialized tools and equipment to remove obstructions, replace broken pipes, and make other repairs.
What are the Components of a Sewer?
Sewerage refers to the network of pipes and drains used to transport wastewater and other types of surface runoff (such as rainfall, meltwater, and precipitation) through cities. It includes combined sewer or sewer lines filtering chambers, utility holes, water pumps, storm spills, and receiving drains.
How Long Will a Side Sewer Last?
The lifespan of a side sewer can vary depending on a variety of factors, such as the materials used, the age of the system, and the level of maintenance it receives. However, in general, a well-constructed side sewer made of high-quality materials can last anywhere from 50 to 100 years or more with proper maintenance and care.
The Bottom Line:
A Professional Side Sewer Can Be of Great Help!
A professional side sewer repair company has the knowledge and skills to tackle various side sewer difficulties. They can promptly discover and resolve the issue, guaranteeing that your system is operational.
The expert crew will begin by thoroughly inspecting your side sewer to determine the core source of the issue. They will utilize sophisticated technologies such as cameras, probes, and other tools to get a clear image of the problem and propose the best course of action.
Skilled teams employ cutting-edge technology to discover even the tiniest problems in your side sewer. They can also utilize this equipment to clear out any trash or obstructions in the system, ensuring it works correctly.
Baikal Services is a professional side sewer repair team that can save you money in the long run. If you try to fix the problem yourself, you can end up causing more damage or missing an underlying issue. This can result in higher costs to repair the system. Be sure to get your Side Sewer inspected by professionals!