Fixing A Sag Or Belly In A Sewer Line
When the soil around your property sifts, it can cause issues with your plumbing system. The most common issue is what is referred to as a belly, which is a fancy word for a sagging pipe. Fortunately, the process of fixing the belly is a relatively straightforward one, and most professionals can take care of this issue in a timely manner.
Signs of a Belly
There are a number of clues that a sewer line belly is present on your property. For instance, you may find that your toilet either doesn’t completely drain after it’s flushed or actually fills too far after flushing. You may also hear gurgling noises coming from pipes as well as deal with slow drains or frequent clogs.
The drain issues are caused by the fact that waste material is struggling to flow through the sewer line. This is because the belly causes material to get stuck where the sag occurs. In some cases, this may cause sewage and other waste to back its way into your home or into your yard.
You may notice patches of grass that grow particularly well because they are constantly wet. Finally, foul odors may be present either inside or outside depending on where waste is either getting stuck or is backflowing out of the sewer line.
Determining the Severity of the Belly
Prior to taking action to fix the belly, you’ll need to determine the severity first. A professional will likely use a camera to look inside of the sewer drain to determine the cause and severity of the sag.
From there, you can determine whether you want to simply repair the damage or replace the entire line. For minor sags, it may be possible to simply reline the portion of the pipe that is sagging or otherwise damaged.
However, if a significant portion of the drain line is damaged, it may be necessary to replace the entire thing. A full replacement may be a good idea if the drain line was installed in your home more than 20 years ago regardless of its current condition.
An Overview of the Replacement Process
Replacing a sewer line means that existing pipes need to be excavated and removed. After the damaged pipes are removed, new pipes are put in and connected to any sections that remained untouched.
When the new pipes are properly connected, the area is then backfilled with dirt and other material. It is critical that the ground is level upon completion to minimize the risk of a future sag.
Supports may be put in place to ensure that the ground remains level in the months and years after replacement is complete. You may want to spend money on a soil analysis or other types of property inspections to determine if there is excessive risk of soil shifting or settling around your home.
Do Not Ignore a Sewer Line Belly
The average cost to repair or replace a sewer belly is well over $1,000. However, the cost of ignoring the issue can be even more harmful for your financial as well as your physical health.
For instance, if a belly causes a backflow issue, your family could be exposed to sewage or other hazardous waste. Furthermore, materials backflowing into your home could damage interior pipes or other interior surfaces.
Bellies may also result in additional damage to your entire plumbing system if the sag is allowed to get worse. Finally, the fumes that can be released may be hazardous to your health and reduce your overall quality of life as no one wants to spend time in a yard that smells like rotten eggs.
If you believe a sewer line sag is present on your property, call the team at Benjamin Franklin today. We have the knowledge, tools and experience needed to fix your plumbing issues in a timely and affordable manner. If there is any delay in service, it’s you we’ll pay for the inconvenience.
