How to Repair a Sewer Line and Prevent Future Problems
As a homeowner, you need to deal with a lot of issues. One of the most common home-related problems you’ll have to deal with as a homeowner is issues with your sewer lines.
If left unaddressed, sewer line concerns can easily turn into a big nightmare. They range from breakages, leakages, and blockages – all of which can lead to drastic damage to your plumbing and can cost you a pretty penny.
You don’t need to worry though. You can easily face sewer line issues head-on. You only need to know the basics of how to repair sewer line issues and exert some effort while you’re at it.
The following points will help you do just that. Read on and you’re ready to go.
Identify What’s The Problem With Your Sewer Line
Before proceeding with any sewer line repairs, it’s best that you know what you’re dealing with.
Be on the lookout for the following common signs of sewer line issues: water backing up, strong smelly odors, gurgling noises, and so on. If you happen to notice any of those, indeed, there’s an issue with your sewer line and you need to take action the soonest. For major bursts and blockages, you can contact expert sewer inspections and repairs.
Find Where The Damage Is Located
After deciding that there’s indeed an issue with your sewer line, the next step is for you to determine where the damage is located.
To proceed, begin by inspecting the accessible parts of your home plumbing. Look for visible blockages or leakages. If you can’t find any problem externally, you may need to look on the inside. You can do this by utilizing a sewer camera rented from a home improvement store and insert it into the sewer line to pinpoint the exact location of the concern.
Gather The Tools You Need For Repair
After locating where exactly the issue lies, next is you need to gather all the tools you need to perform the sewer line repair. Some of the items you’re going to need include but aren’t limited to the following: pipe fitting, shovel, a pair of working gloves, replacement pipes, and so on.
Remember: if you have everything that you need for doing the repairs ready to go, the whole repair will be much faster and hassle-free.
Create A Hole In The Earth To Be Able To Access The Sewer Pipe Underneath
Once you’ve located the damaged section of the sewer line, it’s time to dig. Use a shovel to carefully excavate the area around the pipe. Be cautious when digging in order not to cause any further damage or accidentally damage any nearby perfectly ok sewer lines. Only continue digging until you’ve fully exposed the damaged area of your sewer section.
Remove The Damaged Section Of Your Sewer Line
After digging and exposing the damage in your sewer line, utilize a pipe cutter to remove the damaged section of the sewer line. Remember: when making a cut, ensure that you only take out a few inches beyond the damaged sewer line section so that you’re properly removing all the damaged pipe.
Upon cutting off the damaged sewer line section, proceed to clean the ends of the remaining pipe as preparation for the pipe replacement.
Proceed To Install The New Replacement Sewer Line
You’re now ready to install the new replacement pipe.
To proceed, measure the length of the removed section and match it to the cut new pipe. Next, fix the pipe fittings to the ends of the new pipe so that it’ll snuck itself into place. Finally, use a pipe wrench to tighten the fittings for a highly secured pipe connection.
Test Out The Repair That You’ve Made
Now, you need to check the repair that you’ve made. Proceed by turning on the water and look for any present leakages in the repaired section of the pipe. If all looks ok, you can move forward with the next step which is refilling the hole that you’ve made.
Nonetheless, if there are still small leaks and other noticeable issues, make adjustments and/or tighten the pipe fittings.
Backfill The Hole You’ve Made Earlier
After confirming that the repair is secure, backfill the hole. Carefully replace the soil, packing it down as you go to prevent any future settling. Once the hole is filled, clean up the area and dispose of any debris properly.
How To Prevent Future Problems With Your Home Sewer Lines
Congratulations on a successful sewer line repair! You did a great job. Now, the next important step you need to take is to ensure that future concerns will not be an issue anymore.
The following are a number of easy-to-follow tips to help you keep your sewer line in top condition:
- Don’t flush into your sinks and/or toilets non-flushable items such as paper towels, food leftovers, wipes and other hygiene products, and so on. The aforementioned can cause damage and blockages to your sewer line.
- Perform regular home plumbing inspections. Regular inspections can help you detect sewer problems early on.
- Use drain screens to filter out hair and other debris before they happen to go down your drain.
- Check nearby trees and or shrubs in your sewer lines. Their roots can cause damage to your pipes. Consider uprooting them if they’re too close to your sewer line.
- Don’t overuse chemicals when dealing with small blockages. They may cause further damage to your sewer line down the road.
To Conclude
Repairing a sewer line might seem daunting, but with the right approach, you can handle it. Start by identifying the problem and gathering your tools. Carefully remove the damaged section and install the new pipe, then test the repair and backfill the hole. To prevent future issues, follow good maintenance practices and know when to call in a professional.
