How Long Will a Sewer Line Last?

A home or business’s plumbing is one of its most critical internal systems. You need its components to perform aesthetic and health-maintaining activities such as cooking, bathing, washing of clothing and eating utensils, and to complete the waste excretion processes.

Attached to every residential or commercial property is a vital connection known as a sewer line. These networks transport waste products away from a property to a main sewage processing system. Should these channels become clogged or damaged, you could face any number of serious problems and costly repairs.

Causes Of Sewage Line Problems

These issues can be precipitated by numerous issues including:

Aged Or Damaged Pipes

As pipes grow older, mineral sediments accumulate inside these structures. Eventually, said occurrence could precipitate untoward events like corrosion. Corrosion could result in weakening and leak or flood-inducing problems like cracks.

Obstruction

Another common factor is clogging. Obstructions typically result from products or materials that do not easily dissolve such as cooking oil, paper toweling, and sandwich wrappers.

Additionally, tree roots could precipitate clogs. As waste lines often travel underground, said transportation lanes might intersect with plant life components also existing beneath the earth’s surface.

Temperature Extremes

Extreme temperatures could also prove problematic. Excessive cold and heat could lead to pipes developing cracks or bursting altogether.
Signs Of Sewage Line Issues

Oftentimes, waste line concerns produce commonly noticed problems including:

• A foul, rotten egg-like odor permeating the impacted property’s interior and even the exterior
• Slow-draining plumbing fixtures like sinks, showers, baths, and toilets
• Water pooling in external locations like front lawns and backyards
• Bizarre sounds coming from drains, pipes, and water-processing appliances
• Sinkholes

As soon as any of these issues are noticed, you are advised to consult with a professional plumbing contractor for immediate property inspection.

Sewer Line Replacement Or Repair

When less serious damage has occurred or piping is somewhat salvageable, plumbing contractors might perform a trenchless sewer line repair.

This type of remediation involves two specific efforts: pipe lining and pipe bursting. Pipe lining involves the insertion of inflatable tubing lined with crack-sealing substances around the waste network. Pipe bursting involves the offending pipes being immediately eliminated and replaced with new components using specialized plumbing tools.

If more serious damage occurred or the tubing cannot be repaired, old-fashioned sewer line replacement will be indicated. This involves the digging up of surrounding earth, removing the damaged piping, and replacing it with new features.

Preventing Sewage Line Damage

Not all sewage line problems can be prevented. However, you might reduce the chances of such occurrences by engaging in actions like:

• Not throwing thick or clogging products or agents down sinks and into drains
• Removing trees surrounding waste networks
• Avoid allowing large quantities of hair from entering drains
• Preventing the buildup of soap scum around showers and tubs

Above all, you are firmly urged to have plumbing systems routinely inspected by professional plumbing entities.

How Long Should a Sewer Line Last?

This depends upon the material said structures are comprised of. That said, well-built and well-maintained networks should remain operable anywhere from 50 to 100 years.

Need a Sewer Line Replacement?

If you reside in the Portland, Oregon or Vancouver, Washington and nearby areas and have experienced a sewer line problem or hope to avoid said event, please reach out to us. The experienced, skilled, community-friendly team of plumbing professionals employed by Pacific Plumbing and Drain have safely and effectively repaired and maintained countless sewage lines.