Introduction
Your home's sewer lines might have been placed properly at the time your house was built. But when these lines break, you are exposed to the leaking sewage which bears diseases, hazardous chemicals, and provides a thoroughfare for rats. When you encounter a leak in your sewer line you are required to have it repaired at the earliest. Sewer line breaks usually occur at connection to the branch lateral at the curb line, or at the time of transition from cast iron at the house to clay or cement pipe, at about five feet from the dwelling. Raw sewage or sewage odor and rats or rat holes are major signs to watch out for when your sewer lines got broken or leaked. Dye appearing also points to a break or leak in the sewer line.
By the help of video inspection of your sewer lateral you are able to know the exact cause of the problem. The video inspection technology can seamlessly protect you from wasting big money. This technology allows you to confirm the structural condition of your lateral that makes you evaluate whether an auger or high-pressure flush can solve the problem.
Damaged Sewer Lines and Basement Flooding
The tree root near your sewer lines may grow through small cracks of the sewer lines and thus causes an obstruction in the pipe with the formed large masses. The root often causes the prevention of water through the sewer lines at the time of heavy downpour.
You may follow the solutions given below to fix if your problem:
Cleaning your Sewer
In order to avoid sewer back up and to take control of root growth, periodic rodding is needed. Rodding is relied on the growth of the tree, and in every six month or as frequently as every few years, rodding is necessary.
Treatment by Copper Sulfate
Using of copper sulfate crystals is another method to contain the growth of root of a tree. As a homeowner you need to pour a small quantity of copper sulfate crystals down the sewer at irregular intervals. This method of using copper sulfate crystals does not affect the growth of the root. However the method causes increase in the interval between rodding.
Replacement of your Tile
Tile breaks occur due to many reasons - installation of your sewer pipe may not be in place or the soil setting may cause the breaking of tiles, or in some cases, basement flooding which causes tile breaks. During heavy downpour, when the sewer system fails to control the heavy flow of water, you can avail of several actions to tackle the problem. These are:
- Floor Drain Standpipe
- Backwater Valve
- Overhead Sewer System
- Footing Drains, etc.
Floor Drain Standpipe
Standpipe is installed to prevent water in case flooding went inches deep. You can adjust pressure by letting go of some of the water into the floor. Such measure can prevent your sewer or floor from getting broken. Keep the standpipe in place if the floor drain is not required.
Backwater Valve
Install a mechanical valve or a check valve to prevent and control basement flooding. A mechanical valve is normally positioned outside the basement in accordance with your specific position. Manual opening and closing is a must
Installed valves in sewer lines often get clogged with debris and close completely. This causes the valve make the flow of sewage slow down but the flow may not be stopped completely. It is advisable to keep the valve remain accessible in case of service and repair.
Overhead Sewer System
Through overhead sewer system, all sewage flows by gravity to the village sewer.
Sewage water collected below grade in the basement is to be pumped up to the house sewer at a connection that is located near the basement ceiling. As there are no direct connections between the main sewer system and the basement, there is no occurrence of the sewage to backup into the basement area.
An overhead system is best option to virtually eliminate basement backups; yet the plumbing charges make it a costly option. However, it is beneficial for homeowners who possess a significant investment in finished basements.
One disadvantage you will have in the overhead system is that the pump, in the overhead system, is used to force the water up from the basement level, which will not operate during a power outage, and thus gives way for overflow if the power is off for a considerable time slots. While your overhead system has some negative aspect, to some extent, in regard to its inefficiency of controlling water flow in the basement flooding, over the years you come to know that overhead system is considered, in most cases, as the most effective way to prevent and control your basement flooding.
Sewer Pipe Replacement
When your sewer lines get damaged it is better to have an authentic sewer contractor to fix your damaged sewer lines. Trenchless Sewer Line Replacement and Installation is a revived method which allows you to replace your damaged sewer pipes with a newer sewer pipe. The older method often creates damages to your walkways, trees, driveways and landscaping by digging a trench along the line of old sewer pipe line. It is most effective and expensive though. This method eliminates tree roots growing into your sewer line in the future.
Trenchless sewer line replacement involves digging to be carried out by the sewer contractor at the start and the end points of your sewer lines that let your concrete, landscaping or walkways, remain intact and safe as before.
Benefits of Trenchless Sewer Line Replacement Method
The best part of trenchless sewer installation is that the sewer contractors avoid damages to your beautiful lawn and your surrounding areas while replacing your problematic sewer pipes with newer sewer pipelines. Since old sewer pipes are made of concrete, cement, clay or plastic and are susceptible to corrosion, breaking or tree roots, the sewer contractors are very keen to avoid damages to your prized belongings.
Another specialty of the trenchless sewer line replacement method is that trenchless sewer pipe replacement professionals apply a kind of soft sewer pipe, unlike the previous hard materials referenced in the first installation, and you are quite ensured that tree roots are not intruded into the sewer pipe lines and no corrosion would happen. This method does not require an entire piece of your land but a small portion to accomplish the repair or replacement work.
The Functionality of Trenchless Sewer Line Replacement Method
The functionality of trenchless sewer line replacement/repair method is based on pipe relining and pipe bursting.
Pipe bursting method involves bursting of old pipe as the new pipe is pulled through. The old pipe gives way for the new sewer pipe by bursting itself.
Pipe relining method involves placing of a fiberglass liner into the damaged sewer pipes and thus prevents damages to it. This relining method is rather similar yet opposed to the bursting the old pipe and replacing style.
The older method of repairing/ replacing of sewer pipes require large scale excavation which could cost you much and would involve a lengthy process that may lead to serious repairs to your properties.
The trenchless pipe repair/replacement however is very friendly and faster, much to your convenience. Local sewer contract companies with highly skilled service professionals have all the equipment necessary to fix any broken or collapsed line.
Health Risks after Exposure to Sewage Breakup
Sewer backup usually causes health risk issues through the residue that contains bacteria, posing dangers to your health. As a homeowner, you may need to see to it that surfaces or objects are cleaned with disinfectant and the carpets, rugs are given special attention. There are several carpet cleaning companies out there to take care of these jobs for you.
The bacteria from the residue can hide in cracks and small recesses on your home walls and floors. You may rely on professional advice on the cleaning or replacement of the surfaces and the walls. Another way of minimizing health risk is to wash your hands after every contact with the sewage or the flooded area. There are organisms which not only
cause disease, but may be life threatening, too. Those organisms include Pinworms, Salmonella, E. Coli, Hepatitis A. and a few others.
Clean your home with caution always. You should seek a professional cleaning service that will give advice as to how to clean up your home after sewer backup. Use clean and neat gloves and boots and discard them after use. Allow enough ventilation by keeping your windows open, and clear moist air using an exhaust fan. It is better to wear a mask that can prevent inhaling contaminants and allow walls to be dried from the inside out. Any wet material or furnishing that cannot be restored should be discarded. Be cautious in using any electrical appliance. Keep away from the wet breaker box and wet outlets or when they are located near any water.
