Your home has numerous pipes that provide drainage pathways out of showers, sinks and baths. The narrow, plumbing pipes within your walls all connect to a large main drain line that usually extends from the home, across the yard and into local sewer lines. This underground drain line is large and strong, but it can crack and break down over time. Consider some of the clues and repairs that are necessary for your drain line. Wastewater must be safely driven from your property to maintain everyday health standards.
Problematic Drain Line Clues
Your main drain line is hidden under several feet of soil. Because of its isolated location, the drain line's clog or crack must be discovered by certain clues displayed around the property. A clogged drain line usually results in slow drains inside the home. Every sink and shower would have a slow drainage process that couldn't be fixed by conventional plunging or other DIY strategy.
If the line has a crack, you'll notice puddles forming on your lawn with no rain in sight. The yard might appear to heave with some grassy sections sticking up in the air and sunken areas growing lower by the day. Any of these clues must be evaluated by a professional so that the situation can be fixed as quickly as possible.
Common Drain Line Malfunction Causes
Drain lines can crack or become clogged because of several causes. The most common issue is clogs by grease buildup. As you wash dishes over the years, small bits of fat will flow down the drain. You might pour oils down the drain too. These fats accumulate on the pipe's walls. Because the fat is sticky, food debris flowing down the drain will catch in the grease and contribute to a stubborn clog.
Your drain line may be old, and the heavy soil above it simply stresses it to the point of cracking. Nearby tree roots may even create a cracked drain pipe too. Those roots can wrap around the line and cause it to crack and warp over time.
Knowing When to Call a Professional
Unless you discover that your plumbing drainage problem is isolated to one sink, you'll need to contact a professional for a complete evaluation. Ideally, you should hire a licensed plumber. These professionals are certified by their local plumbing colleagues so that you can have a high-quality drain repair without any issues. When you contact the plumber, ask them for their license number. You're welcome to check that license's validity with the local authorities. Reputable plumbers are always pleased to show off their license number so that their customers know a company is dedicated to its plumbing trade.
How Professionals Analyze the Problem
In the past, plumbing professionals were forced to trench your yard, so that they could access your damaged drain line. This extensive excavation was expensive and time-consuming. Today's professional plumbers use drain-line cameras to see the damage up-close. They'll snake the camera into the drain line. The camera resides at the snake's opposite side. A light affixes to the camera too, and professionals can take a virtual tour of the entire drain line's interior. Plumbers can take photos and pinpoint the exact area where the damage occurred. With that information, the plumbers can accurately estimate the repair project and streamline the service too.
Typical Repair Solutions
The most common way to repair a clogged drain line is by simply cleaning it out. Professionals might use hydro jetting, for example, where they spray a high-pressure water stream into the drain. In most cases, this clog solution clears away debris and fatty residue buildup. The water stream simply carries the debris away and down the drain line. High-pressure water also reduces the need for harmful chemicals poured down your drainage line. The chemicals can further damage your pipes if they're extremely old.
Cracked pipes must be replaced. Professionals can slide a new pipe into the drainage line and remove the damaged section in pieces. Only one hole must be dug into the yard so that professionals can permanently remove the bad line section.
Listen to your plumbing professionals when they offer you several solutions for your drain line. Although some of the repairs might be expensive, it's crucial to fix the issue as soon as possible. Your property will only be damaged further if the repair is neglected.