Is Replacement the Only Way to Fix a Sewer Line Belly?
Sewer systems are constructed from durable materials that are designed to withstand the test of time, but even these solid infrastructure elements can occasionally develop problems. Sewer bellying is just one of the ways that residential and commercial subsurface sewer systems are prone to fail.
Fortunately, the dedicated, knowledgeable team here at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has trusted methods for dealing with a host of sewer pipe-related issues, and we’re fully equipped to repair sewer line bellies for property owners throughout Pompano Beach and surrounding areas.
What is a Sewer Line Belly?
Most residential and commercial sewer lines are designed to operate by gravity flow from the point of wastewater generation to the point where the sewage enters the central main line or pumping station. Sewer line bellies occur when sewer pipes lose their original flow gradients due to shifting, differential settling or damage to the piping material itself.
When a sewer line has a belly, the pipe contains a low spot that interrupts the internal flow pattern and creates a collection point for wastewater, paper products and sediment to accumulate. The material that becomes trapped in the bellied area can promote pipeline corrosion and may eventually cause a blockage that leads to sewage backing up into nearby structures.
Causes of Sewer Line Bellies
The most common culprits behind sewer line bellies are poor compaction of the base material beneath the pipeline at the time of initial installation and soil erosion around the pipe caused by leaked sewage or subsurface water movement. As the supporting soil layer becomes compromised and unstable, the piping starts to sag, bow or separate. A pipeline’s age and material of construction are other factors that can contribute to the development of sewer line bellies.
Top Signs a Sewer Line Has a Belly
Almost every sewer line shifts or settles slightly over time as a result of natural soil compaction, but these minor movements generally pose no danger to the flow of sewage through the pipe. Serious problems only occur when extreme displacement of the line leads to extensive sagging and bellying. Slow-flowing drains and repeated sewer line back-ups are two indicators that a sewer line belly may be developing. Unexplained dampness and sunken spots in the vicinity of a buried pipeline are other potential warning signs to look out for.
Diagnosing a Sewer Line Belly
While the symptoms associated with sewer line bellies are hard to miss, they’re common to many other types of sewer line issues. Back-ups and leaks can also be caused by large obstructions, invasive tree roots, corrosion, offsets and complete pipeline collapse. It’s often impossible to know exactly what’s going on inside a sewer pipe by simply looking at visible portions of the plumbing system and surrounding areas, and that’s where sewer camera inspections come in handy.
A professionally conducted camera inspection is the most reliable way to determine the sources of ongoing sewer line problems. The cameras used to carry out sewer inspections travel through the line and provide up-close views of the conditions inside. This permits a technician to pinpoint the location and scope of any cracks, blockages and settled areas that could be having a negative impact on the pipeline’s structural integrity and performance.
Repair or Replace: Which is Best?
After a camera inspection identifies that your sewer line has a belly, the next step is choosing the right response. If the problem is localized and extremely limited in scale, relining the pipe may be all that’s needed to improve the flow pattern and prevent future back-ups. Trenchless repair methods that make it possible to install new liners inside existing pipes with little to no excavation are available to make the repair process easy and hassle-free.
In most cases, however, sewer line bellying necessitates complete replacement of a portion or all of the affected pipeline. This is especially true for older sewer systems that have reached or exceeded their expected service lives. Traditional excavation and replacement techniques can be invasive and time-consuming, but they’re extremely effective at restoring the flow gradient of severely sagging and settled pipelines.
The Importance of Hiring a Professional
Addressing sewer line bellies and similar issues isn’t something for inexperienced do-it-yourselfers to handle. These extremely complex matters require specialized equipment and know-how to fully resolve, and they should be left in the hands of trained and experienced sewer repair technicians only.
Call on Our Experts in Pompano Beach
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is the name to know whenever plumbing or sewer line problems strike. Our crew has a great reputation for quality workmanship and excellent customer care, and we serve the entire Pompano Beach area with pride and distinction. Don’t hesitate to contact us at the first sign your sewer line has a belly to receive a quick response on your timetable, and remember that if there’s any delay, it’s YOU we pay.
