Do I Need A Sewer Line Inspection?

As a homeowner, you’re probably used to scheduling maintenance checks for your appliances, but what about your sewer line? It’s something you may not think of often because it isn’t something that needs regular maintenance.

Blanco AC, Electric & Plumbing knows that sewer lines are crucial to your home. However, we also want to make sure you know when an inspection is actually necessary. We’ve outlined a few situations where you’ll need a sewer line inspection and what you should do when the time comes.

Signs You Need A Sewer Line Inspection

While some companies may suggest consistent inspections, they usually aren’t necessary. Instead, there are situations where homeowners must schedule an inspection to make sure their lines are functioning properly.

Your Home Is Far From The Sewer Connection

No matter your pipe style, the distance from your house to the street sewer connection plays a big role in line health. If there’s a large distance from the street connection, the soil is likely to settle over the years. This settlement can cause pipes to shift and offset, which causes disconnections.

The Home Is Older And Has Old Pipes

In the early 1900s, clay pipes and Orangeburg pipes were all the rage. They made vitrified clay pipes by firing clay in a kiln with salt, which would harden the clay. However, the lifespan of this pipe style is finite, and most clay pipes in use today are no longer “useful.” Instead, they are likely to collapse, crack and cause blockages.

Your Property Is On Expansive Soil

Your property’s soil type plays a large role in the lifespan of your pipes. Clay soil, or expansive soil, expands when wet and shrinks when dry. These drastic changes cause shifts in your clay sewer pipes, and this can loosen or damage the pipes.

You’re Dealing With Sewer Line Problems

If you’ve purchased a home with an existing sewer line issue, it’s important to ask the seller if they’ve had a sewer line inspection. If they have, and they can tell you the location of the issue, a new inspection probably isn’t needed.

However, if the inspection was done years ago, or never done at all, it’s time for an updated inspection. A location device will show the exact point of damage in the line, and this information is critical to repair the line. This inspection can save your plumber from trenching your entire yard searching for the repair point.

There’s Large Trees In Your Yard

As trees grow, so do their roots. Older homes that have trees as old as the house can create trouble for clay pipes. Although, a damaged or offset clay pipe may not actually be a risk on your property.

If your main sewer line drains near the side or rear of your property to the sewer line in an alley or easement, this may not be cause for an inspection. Instead, these gnarly roots are only an issue in older homes where the main sewer line drains to the street.

When To Schedule Sewer Line Maintenance

Luckily, your sewer line is designed to keep up with the daily stresses of life. Unless you notice issues or you know that your home’s clay pipes may not hold up much longer, there’s no reason to schedule a sewer line inspection.

That being said, it’s important to call a professional as soon as you notice sewer issues. Slow draining, low water pressure, raised water bills and pools of septic water inside and outside of the home are all warning signs. Acting promptly can save you from further damage to your main line, and it will get your home’s plumbing back to normal quickly.

Professional Blanco Sewer Line Services

Blanco AC, Electric & Plumbing knows how disruptive a main sewer line issue is. Although it’s one of the most important parts of your home, you never realize it until something goes wrong. Sewer services are a large undertaking, and not all plumbers provide them, but our team Blanco AC has Texas homeowners covered!

Call on our team of professional plumbers at Blanco AC, Electric & Plumbing and get your sewer line back to its pristine condition!