Your sewer line is one of the hardest working parts of your home plumbing system. It constantly carries away waste to keep your household safe from health hazards, but it can be vulnerable to damage. Learn about what causes sewer line problems, so you can avoid property damage, significant health hazards and costly repairs.

Tree Roots: The Underground Hazard

Tree roots can be dangerous because they are always looking for a way into your sewer line. They love water and nutrients, so they see your sewer pipes as a tasty snack. Over time, these roots can push their way into the pipes and cause all sorts of problems.

Roots can clog up your pipes and make it difficult for water to flow smoothly because debris can clump together with them to create a solid blockage. In some cases, they can even break the pipes completely. If you have trees near your house, keep an eye out for trouble. Don’t let those tree roots infiltrate your pipes.

Clogs and Blockages

Your pipes aren’t a trash can, so don’t treat them as such. Flushing forbidden things, such as wipes, cotton balls or too much toilet paper, is a recipe for disaster. The same is also true for items that are labeled as flushable.

And let’s not forget about grease and oil from the kitchen, which can harden in your pipes and cause major clogs. They can even become severe enough to lead to backups.

Aging Pipes

As pipes get older, they start to wear out. Over time, they can get weak spots, cracks or holes. If your house is on the older side, you need to give your pipes some extra care. Schedule regular inspections with a professional plumber at least once a year. This will help spot problems as they are forming so that they can be stopped in their tracks to avoid major disasters from developing.

Ground Shifting and Settling

The ground beneath your home is constantly shifting and settling. This movement can put stress on sewer pipes and cause them to crack or break. Even if you do not live in an area prone to earthquakes or other seismic activity, your sewer line is vulnerable. However, the risk of damage increases if you live in areas where earthquakes are common.

Sometimes, you can do everything possible to prevent sewer line problems, but they still occur. If you encounter any trouble, get help to avoid serious problems that can cost you tens of thousands of dollars to fix.

For sewer line repair or replacement in Compton, CA, reach out to Frausto Plumbing, and we will get everything up and running in short order.