A problem with your sewer line can seem overwhelming and stressful. At Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Glenside, we want to make it easy for you to get the plumbing services you need when you need them. We specialize in residential and commercial plumbing services, repairs, installations, maintenance, and preventive plumbing services. When you call us for sewer line repair in Glenside, Abington, or Oreland, PA we will respond quickly and find the most efficient, effective repair method. We pride ourselves on our honesty and transparency, and we will give you all the information you need about your plumbing system so you can make an informed decision. We will explain our process step by step and answer any questions you have. Read through our frequently asked questions about sewer line failure and sewer line repair and call us if you have any questions that aren’t answered here.
What Are the Signs of Sewer Line Failure?
If you notice the early warning signs of a problem with your sewer line, sewer line repair may be faster, easier, and less expensive. Call our team of professionals right away if you notice any of these signs of sewer line failure:
- Dirty water or sewage backing up into your sink, bathtub, shower, or toilet
- Foul odors like sewage, rotten eggs, or mold coming from drains or plumbing fixtures
- Marshy pools of water in your yard
- New patches of green grass growing in your yard
- Frequent flooding in your yard
- Slow drains or multiple clogged drains at the same time
- A clogged drain and a clogged toilet
- An increase in rodents or pests around your home
- Gurgling toilets or drains
- Cracks in your foundation or signs of water damage
What Is a Sewer System Backup?
A sewer system backup is a plumbing problem that occurs when sewage and wastewater back up through the pipes and drains into a sink, bathtub, toilet, or shower. This can happen if the sewer line is broken, there have been heavy storms or rains, there is a backup of the city’s sewer line, or if the sewer pipe is clogged.
How Do You Repair Sewer System Backups?
We will first determine the underlying cause of the backup. Depending on the cause of the problem, we will use one of these sewer line repair methods:
Rooter Work and Hydro Jetting Services
If your sewer line failure is due to a clog, we can use our powerful drain rooter or highly pressurized water jets to eliminate the clog. Our drain rooter can extend hundreds of feet into the pipe and break up clogs caused by tree roots, organic matter, toilet paper, sludge, and other debris. Our HydroScrub® drain jetting service can blast apart decades of debris lining your pipes, so they are clear and clean again.
Pipe Relining
If your sewer line has a small hole or crack, we can use our pipe relining technique for sewer line repair. We will insert a special, quick-hardening liner into the pipe. As it dries and expands, it seals up holes, punctures, and cracks and prevents new ones from forming.
Pipe Replacement
If your sewer line is badly damaged and can’t be repaired, we will recommend pipe replacement. Our new pipes resist corrosion, rust, chemicals, tree roots, pests, and leaks.
What Causes a Blocked Sewer Line?
A sewer line can become clogged, cracked, or damaged for many reasons. The most common ones seen by homeowners are:
- Tree root intrusions
- Flushing trash or other debris down the toilet
- Pest or rodent infestations
- Vibration from heavy traffic, construction, or earthquakes
- Damage caused by the ground frequently freezing and thawing
- Clogs formed by grease, oil, fat, and waste
- Old, poorly maintained, or poorly installed sewer lines
- Improper sewer line repairs
- Problems with the city’s sewer system
- Heavy rainfall or flooding
Can You Prevent Sewer Backups?
You may not always be able to prevent a sewer system backup. You can take some steps to reduce the risk of one occurring:
- Schedule routine sewer line inspections.
- Don’t pour grease, oils, fats, chemicals, or paint down the drain.
- Only flush waste and toilet paper down the drain.
- Don’t flush trash, wipes, tampons, pads, cigarettes, condoms, toys, or other items down the toilet.
- Use your garbage disposal according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- If you don’t have a garbage disposal, don’t rinse food down your drain.
- Replace old and damaged sewer lines.
- Ask us to install backflow valves or standpipes at lower-level drains.
- Install a sump pump or flood detection device.
- Don’t plant trees near your sewer line.
When Should You Call a Professional?
You should call a professional when you notice signs of a sewer line failure. You can also call a professional as a preventive measure. If you notice that you have slow drains or clogged drains, our professionals can offer drain cleaning services and other methods of preventive plumbing maintenance to reduce your risk of a sewer system backup.
Schedule Sewer Line Repair Today
If you need a sewer line inspection or sewer line repair in Glenside, Abington, or Oreland, PA call us today or contact us online. One of our experienced professionals will inspect your sewer line's age, condition, and performance. We can then recommend sewer line repair or drain cleaning.