Will My Rooter Service Let Me Know If I Need to Schedule Sewer Repair?

Your household plumbing is important, and some locations put a lot of pressure on their septic system during the holidays. The good news is that even if the rooter service discovers that your sewage problem is more than just a clogged drain, they can tell you what needs to be done to get the problem solved.

Holiday Clogs

Clogged drains are common during the holidays. Plumbing systems that ordinarily have low to moderate use are being put to the test by friends and visitors, resulting in an increase of calls asking for rooter service. If the plumbers discover a more serious problem while unclogging the drains, they will let you know and ask you how you would like to proceed. Your rooter service is primarily there to unclog drains or pump out the septic system, but they can help you schedule any other plumbing services you need.

Plumbing Inspections

Some plumbing inspections can be performed by the rooter service when they arrive, but some problems will require licensed plumbers to track down and isolate the sewer problems you are having. Typically, a plumbing inspection includes checking that all drains are flowing properly, looking for leaks or standing water near appliances, fixtures, and in your lawn. Plumbing inspections include testing and verifying that your water heater is working an in good condition. Once the inspection is complete, your plumbing contractors will go over the results with you and work out the details for getting your plumbing flowing properly again as soon as possible.

Septic Services

A lot of things can cause your sewer lines to back up. If the septic tank isn't flowing to the drainfield, sewage will back up into your drains, but the same problem can occur if you have a crushed drain pipe, or the sewer line has become blocked by sewage debris, tree roots, or other causes. Most drain problems can be cleared up with professional rooter servicing, but some problems require the installation of new appliances or fixtures, or even replacing sewer lines.

Trenchless Sewer Replacement

If your sewer lines are blocked, the fastest, most efficient way to fix them is to use trenchless sewer repair. This method uses 2 holes --one at each end of the line being replaced-- and special equipment to open existing sewer lines or put new lines in place. Instead of a week or more digging a ditch across your lawn and then filling it in again, your sewer line can be replaced in a few days or less without causing any more peripheral damage than is absolutely necessary.

If your rooter service discovers other problems while clearing your sewage lines they will let you know and go over the options available for fixing them. Not every plumbing problem is going to be a major disaster, but ignoring even a small problem could lead to catastrophic consequences. With today's technology, most sewer line problems can be repaired in only a couple of days, a much faster turnaround than you could expect only a few short years ago.

Signs That Your Sewer Line Needs Professional Service

Trenchless sewer replacement is an alternative way of replacing sewer lines. Because there are no unsightly trenches, this method of sewer repair will not cause as much damage to your lawn and the work areas will be able to recover more rapidly. The more of these signs that are present, the greater the chance that your sewer is not working properly. 

Slow Drains

Your drains should all drain continuously at a steady rate. If you notice that a drain isn’t going down as quickly as it once did, you should first check for clogs, because that is a common cause. You can also try unclogging your drain without harsh chemicals, and use enzyme-based drain cleaners purchasable at your local hardware store. If there isn’t an obvious clog, you should schedule an appointment with a trenchless sewer replacement company or a plumber for a household plumbing inspection and discuss your options. 

Lush Lawn Growth

The grass really does grow greener over the septic tank, but it grows just as well over a leaking sewer pipe. If you have one or more distinct patches of exceptional greenery or fast growth, it may be a sign that your sewer line is dumping directly under your grass and giving it a nutrient boost. Recognizing a growth spurt related to sewer lines is fairly simple because the affected foliage is obviously different. 

Wet Patches

In dense soil, water leaking out of a cracked or broken sewer line may not be able to be absorbed into the ground right away. When this happens, the water puddles underground and pushes toward the surface, forming areas that seem to be moist in even the driest conditions. As time goes on, a leak of this type will get larger until the sewer finally fails completely. It is much less expensive to locate the problems earlier than to need trenchless sewer replacement on major portions of your sewer system.

Hole or Depression

A sewer pipe that needs to be replaced may form a mini sinkhole in your yard.  As the leak slowly erodes the soil below ground level, a depression may form and could eventually form a hole in the ground. This type of erosion takes place very slowly and the pipe may have been having problems for years before the eroded area caves in to form a noticeable opening. 

Unpleasant Odors

Indoors or out, a sewer line or drain that isn’t flowing properly will eventually produce odors. These smells may range from smells of decomposing material to smells related to excrement that isn’t being properly removed by your sewer lines. Tracing unpleasant odors will often lead you to other identifiable symptoms, giving you multiple points of verification for a failing sewer line.

Trenchless sewer replacement is only one of a variety of plumbing and septic services available for homeowners. If you are faced with plumbing issues of any sort that you are unable to fix yourself, enlisting experienced home plumbing services may even save money by ensuring that the job is done right the first time.