No one likes a slow drain. Not only is it annoying to wait for the sink to drain or to feel the shower water build up around your feet, but it can also be stressful not knowing the extent of the issue. Sure, a clogged pipe isn’t usually a big deal, and it can often be fixed with a plumbers snake or a similar tool (rather than chemical drain cleaners, which can cause damage), but what if it isn’t a clog. Occasionally, slow drains are a sign of one of the bigger, scarier plumbing issues out there: a sewer line issue. If you’re worried that you may be looking at a sewer line replacement in the near future, be on the lookout for these signs.
Age And Persistence
Sewer pipes, like anything else, are more likely to fail as they age. If your home is more than 50 years old, your sewer pipe is likely old too, and a replacement is practically unavoidable. Likewise, if the plumbing issues you’ve been experiencing are “old,” as in they’ve been persistent problems for a while, or they keep recurring after you’ve “fixed” them, then the issue is likely in the sewer line. An issue like a slow drain in a home with newer pipes is likely to be a simple pipe clog rather than a sewer clog. Finally, if you have issues with fixtures backing up with water from other fixtures, such as the sink or toilet water backing up into the tub, that is a likely sign of a main line clog.
Trees
Big trees on your property have the potential to cause big problems with sewer lines. It’s possible that you don’t actually know where the sewer line comes into your house, but the tree doesn’t have to be right over it or even right next to it to cause a problem. In fact, the root system of a healthy, established tree often extends much further out underground than you’d think, even further out than the branches stretch. Those branches can reach out for and damage sewer pipes over time.
Sounds
Your pipes have the potential to make all sorts of sounds (like the clanging of water hammer, for instance), but gurgles and bubbles shouldn’t be one of them. If you hear a gurgling sound as you drain the sink or run the disposal, especially if you’re hearing it in other rooms where the plumbing isn’t being used at that moment, it is likely that you have a sewer line clog.
All of Your Plumbing Needs from Master Plumbing
Give Master Plumbing a call at (301) 650-9100 or contact us online to get more information on how our expert plumbers can help you with your dripping faucet (or just about anything else plumbing related!). We have received Angie’s List Super Service Award recognition for plumbing and drain cleaning every year since 2007, in addition to the Best Plumber award from Best of Bethesda. We are fully licensed, bonded, and insured and our service is unparalleled. Give us a call today—you won’t regret it! To see examples of our projects, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.