Many homes are located in neighborhoods where the sewer systems are 40 years old or even older. When this is the case, there’s a good chance that they will be in need of repair or replacement. Since these systems tend to be trenched, it’s important to note that as of ten to 15 years ago, trench-less sewer lines and methods became available for residential areas. These more modern systems and methods can be a welcome alternative when old sewer lines need to be replaced.

How Sewer Lines Can Become Damaged

There are a variety of factors that can damage or contribute to damaging sewer lines. These include accidents, gradual wear, and inclement weather conditions. For houses built prior to the 1970s, however, tree roots are often a major cause of sewer line damage. This is because the roots work their way into the pipe joints and clog, crack, or break them. In order to determine where the problem lies, a plumber will usually use a sewer snake.

Replacing Plumbing Systems

When household plumbing systems need to be repaired and/or replaced, Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) pipe is often used. This pipe is the most commonly used for a house’s drain and vent lines. In addition to being a less expensive but effective choice, there are other benefits to installing ABS pipe. This is because this type of pipe can be installed indoors and outdoors as well as both above and below the ground. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sewer pipes and fittings are also used in the same way as ABS pipes. When these are utilized for drains, however, they need to have the proper sweep so that effective drainage can occur.

Contact a Plumbing Service to Address Issues

If your sinks, bathtubs, or showers are experiencing slow drainage or are clogged, you will probably need a professional drain cleaning. When a plumbing service comes to your home to assess the situation, they may use a sewer snake to take care of this issue. In the event that you need a sewer repair or replacement, a plumbing service will be able to determine where the issue lies. This is because plumbers also have a device similar to a sewer snake that has a small camera on the end. This assists them with locating the area where the clog or damage is located.

Once a plumbing service takes care of your clogged drains and/or sewer line issues, it would be a good idea to discuss other issues or concerns that you may have. In addition to taking care of small household leaks, you may want to have your plumber inspect your water heater. If you’ve had your water heater for quite some time, you may be interested in having a new energy-efficient system installed.