Common Sewer Issues and How to Fix Them

Drains, Plumbing

In your home, you’ll find that most of the time your toilets flush and showers drain with no problems at all. However, there may come a time when these household necessities face some issues and this may signify a bigger problem with the sewer line that goes from your household plumbing to the public sewer connection. There are a few reasons why your sewer line may not be functioning as it should. Here are some common sewer issues and how these problems get resolved:

What Signifies a Sewer Line Issue?

Sewer line issues can be caused by various unintentional actions on the part of the people who live in the home. Here are some ways you may know there is a problem affecting the sewer line that connects your house to the public sewer system:

Toilet and tub water backs up
Unpleasant odors coming from the drains
Gurgling noises coming from the drains or toilet
Slow drains throughout the house that may occur all of a sudden

What Are Some Common Sewer Line Issues?

Each sewer line issue is a little bit different than other ones may be. However, there are some common problems that individuals may experience involving their sewer lines. From gurgling toilets to slow drains, homeowners may find that something is wrong with the sewer connection outside of the home. Here are some common sewer line issues that may occur:

Clog or block in the sewer line: If your sewer line is obstructed by paper items or hygiene products, this could lead to a blockage in the sewer line which would cause your plumbing fixtures to not work well.

Tree roots: Underground tree roots may find their way around or through the sewer line and cause it to crack or become blocked.

Corroded or deteriorated sewer pipe: If the sewer pipe starts to corrode or deteriorate, this can cause issues inside the home.

Sag in the sewer line: Should the sewer line sag in any area, this can cause water to collect and the sewer line to not work correctly.

Collapsed sewer line: When foundations settle or soil shifts around sewer lines, this can cause the system to collapse.

How Do Sewer Line Issues Get Resolved?

In order to fix a sewer line issue, it’s important to have a professional plumber diagnose the problem. Once the problem is diagnosed, the plumbing professional can get started fixing or replacing the sewer line so that your toilets flush correctly again, your sinks and tubs drain, and your indoor plumbing works as it should. If there’s a clog in the sewer line, the plumber can remove the clog and get your system back in working order. If the issue is more serious, such as a collapsed sewer line or deteriorated sewer pipe, this may be more timely and costly and a complete replacement may be necessary. Whatever the issue may be, trust this diagnosis and service to a plumbing professional to ensure the job’s done right.

How to Prevent Sewer Issues

For future reference, homeowners can take certain steps to help make sewer line issues less likely. Although there may be certain issues that are the result of natural elements and not due to misuse of the plumbing system by the individual, here are some tips on how to keep your home’s plumbing in good working order:

Never pour grease down the drain

Don’t flush anything other than toilet paper in the toilets
Flush drains with hot water on a periodic basis
Obtain regular sewer line inspections
Avoid planting trees near sewer lines

Let NuBlue Assist You With All of Your Sewer Problems

Even when you take the necessary precautions, sewer line issues may still occur. Therefore, it’s a good idea to have a professional plumber nearby who you can call for help when needed and NuBlue is the company to call! NuBlue offers plumbing services throughout North Carolina, including Charlotte, Lake Norman, Fayetteville, Greenville, and other surrounding towns. When you need a plumber, trust this important service to the professional team at NuBlue.