Your sewer line is essential to your home—it directs the flow of wastewater underground from your plumbing system to the municipal sewer line.
There are several signs that could indicate a pipe leak in your sewer line. Call a professional plumber if you notice that your water is slow to drain or if it backs up, especially in several fixtures or appliances at the same time. Inside of your home, you may notice strange sounds or rotten smells. Outside, you may see sinkholes in your lawn—dips in the soil that have been pulled down due to pipe leaks in the sewer line, causing water erosion.
After a concerned homeowner in Encinitas gave us at California Plumbing a call, we arrived at their home to investigate the root cause of their plumbing issues. Our video inspection revealed that part of the problem was, in fact, root intrusion.
What Causes Pipe Root Intrusion?
Roots naturally seek moisture, and when water leaks out of an underground pipe, roots are drawn to the moisture like moths to a flame. Pipes may deteriorate due to corrosion or shifts in the soil, and even the smallest pipe leaks may allow moisture to be detected by roots. Roots grow into the pipes which can lead to serious blockages in your sewer line, restricting the flow of wastewater out of your home’s plumbing system. Sewer line leaks should be addressed immediately due to the serious sanitation risks of wastewater back up into your home or contaminating (as well as eroding) the soil underground.
In some cases, soil shifts can cause pipes to misalign and disconnect, creating a gap in the sewer line, known as an offset. Roots may detect and enter pipes through offset and expand the offset further. On the other hand, it is also possible for the growth of the roots to cause pipes to shift and disconnect, causing the sewer line offset.
Spot Repair For A Pipe Leak In The Sewer Line
The homeowner had hired a landscaper to remove the greenery before our plumbing technicians began excavation. We excavated 4 feet deep to expose a section of pipe where the roots had followed water through the offset of a cracked pipe and fitting near the property drop cleanout.
To spot repair, we removed the roots and eliminated the affected fittings. We replaced a section of 3-inch ABS and the 4 x 3 sanitary tee with a new, secure connection. We added extra protection for support under the pipe with 3/4″ gravel.
After a test confirmed that there were no leaks, we backfilled the excavated soil and compacted it by hand. Our service includes a 5-year part and labor warranty only on the repairs that we made. Landscaping services are not included in our plumbing work. The homeowner may choose to replant greenery with a landscaper at their own expense.
While our spot repair successfully fixed the pipe leak at the root of our client’s current plumbing problems, we recommended our hydro jetting service to flush the entire system and prevent the formation of any clogs in the future. Hydro jetting uses the power of high-pressure water to clear away debris in pipes without snaking or the use of chemicals, strong enough to push clogs—and even tree roots—in the sewer line down into the municipal sewer line.
Whether above ground or underground, homes and businesses in San Diego trust California Plumbing to fix any plumbing problem.
If you have any questions about root intrusions or pipe replacement, give us a call today.
Call Us Today: (619) 747-3443
Email Us: info@californiaplumbingsd.com