Your entire plumbing drainage system works because of gravity… if there’s a disturbance in that force, that important system stops working as normal gravity can’t pull it out of your home and into the public sewer system or your septic tank.
L&M Plumbing can use a camera system to let you know if something bigger is going on with your sewage system.
Common causes of blocked drains include:
Foreign objects
By far the most common issue is something that doesn’t belong there, such as grease, fats, solids, and food scraps. Sometimes we also find other paper products in there that aren’t easily biodegradable, like paper towels, sanitary items, or flushable wipes.
Roots
That tree you planted years ago will grow over time and its roots will dig down deep into your yard. That becomes a problem if the roots begin wrapping themselves around your sewer line and break down the pipe joints as those roots seek out any possible moisture. As those strong and heavy roots continue to grow, they can even cause a collapse in the sewer line.
Sewer Line Bellies
A sag in your sewer line is called a “belly.” This sag prevents gravity from doing its job of allowing sewage to flow away from your home. Bellies can have several causes, from improper ground preparation when your home was built to natural causes that evolve over time, such as tree roots, earthquakes, heat, sun, rain, and temperature gradients. Fixing a sewer belly is a big project that is best left to a professional so you can be sure the repair is done properly and will give you many years of service.
Collapsed Pipes
Aging sewage pipes can even totally collapse. Sometimes the pipe sections can shift, resulting in what we call an offset or misaligned pipe. These conditions can be caused by bad ground preparation or installation, but they are often the result of natural forces such as roots or a shifting landscape. Again, this is a major problem that won’t go away on its own; it’s time to call a professional plumber who you can trust to do the job properly.