Heavy spring rains can overwhelm and flood your sewer lines, thereby causing significant damage and costly repairs. Spring is also when most trees come to life and send their roots to search for water and nutrients. The result is tree roots poking their way into your sewer pipes and restricting the flow of wastewater or, even worse, damaging the entire sewer system. To avoid this, it’s important to know these six ways to deal with springtime plumbing problems that may affect your sewer lines.
1. Install a Sump Pump
April experiences plenty of showers, and while this is a famous springtime event in Denver, CO, it can cause homeowners several problems. For a start, these showers occur when the ground is still wet from winter precipitation and, therefore, unable to effectively absorb all the water. The excess water starts to seep into the foundation of your home and leave your basement flooded. Sometimes, too much water may enter storm drains, get into the city’s main sewer line, and back up into your home.
Having a professional install a sump pump in your basement can help solve this problem. This unit pumps out the water in the basement and channels it back into the sewer line. To help your sump pump work more effectively, ask your plumber to slightly angle your sewer pipe away from your home to enable gravity to move water in the right direction.
2. Fix Damaged Sewer Pipes
The pressure from ice and snow often damages sewer pipes during winter. While it is not easy to spot a damaged sewer line, there are signs you can rely on to know if you should call a plumber for repair. They include:
- Sewage backup in your tub or toilet
- Unusually green patches on your lawn
- Cracks in your walls
- Pests in your home
- Mildew or mold on your walls or ceiling
Also, be on the lookout for slow drains. While it is common for isolated clogs to occur, something may be seriously wrong with your sewer lines if all the drains appear to be clogged or slow to drain. A sewage smell or gurgling toilet are other signs of a damaged sewer line. The moment you notice these signs, let your plumber know so that they can quickly manage the issue. Our plumbers have the experience needed to fix damaged sewer pipes and keep them functioning efficiently in the spring.
3. Watch Out for Encroaching Tree Roots
Your sewer pipes have water and nutrients, making them a prime target for tree roots. Over time, these roots will get to your pipes, force their way inside, and continue to grow there. The result is a damaged, clogged pipe that is likely to cause a backup.
Unfortunately, this problem is usually not easy to fix, especially if your home already has trees in areas close to the sewer line system. For this reason, be sure to contact our plumbers to have the problem assessed and fixed the right way.
While sewer line repair is always our go-to option, there are instances when when the damage is extensive, and we may suggest sewer line replacement. We use modern tools and equipment to provide solutions to the problem and ensure everything is functioning as anticipated. We may also advise that if you plan to plant trees in the future, you keep small trees 20 feet away from the sewer system and large ones 100 feet away.
4. Use a Water Alarm
A water alarm offers an effective yet simple way to protect your home from sewage backups and flooding. Additionally, it is affordable and requires low maintenance since its battery life often lasts up to three years. A water alarm is also easy to use because it connects to your home’s Wi-Fi and alerts you when there is flooding or a sewage backup.
For the best results, set up your water alarm in places prone to flooding, such as the basement and bathrooms close to a sewer line. The water alarm becomes damp when the water level rises and then sounds an audible alert or sends a text message to your phone, so you can act promptly to fix the issue with your sewer line.
5. Consider an Automatic Backwater Valve
An automatic backwater valve is particularly important if your home is connected to your municipality’s sewer system. Heavy spring rains can leave the sewer system overwhelmed and force the water level to rise past your home’s drains, leading to flooding.
With the backwater valve, you will be able to contain this problem since it works by making the sewer water flow in one direction only. When water rises, the valve will seal your sewer line, thereby preventing issues from occurring. As the level of water returns to normal, changes in pressure automatically reopen the valve.
6. Schedule Regular Maintenance
Your sewer lines, like the other systems in and around your home, require regular maintenance to function efficiently. Regular maintenance can also help avoid costly repairs and improve water quality. Other reasons to contact a professional plumber for regular sewer system maintenance are to catch clogs early, make your yard smell and look better, and prevent sewer backups in your yard or house.
Several items can clog your sewer pipes and make it hard for wastewater to flow freely. These include hair that passes through bathroom drains, roots from nearby trees, and foreign objects, such as diapers and other non-biodegradable items. Grease is another common culprit for clogged sewer lines due to its stubbornness.
Since it is not easy to precisely point out what is causing sewer line clogs in your home, it is advisable to have your sewer pipes cleaned at least every other year. Failing to schedule regular maintenance can allow grease and other items to accumulate and clog your sewer lines. Extensive clogs can make the pipes burst or crack, leading to expensive repairs.
When it comes to scheduling regular maintenance, consider our plumbers at Jim Needham Heating Cooling Plumbing and Drain because they are well-trained to offer comprehensive services. We respond in a timely manner and use our experience and skill to keep your sewer system functioning perfectly. We also clean smaller pipes funneled into the mainline to ensure they are free of clogs.
Get in Touch With Us Today
With more than 100 years of experience, Jim Needham Heating Cooling Plumbing and Drain is your go-to solution for springtime plumbing problems affecting your sewer lines. We fully understand common sewer line issues that crop up in the spring and are dedicated to offering a solid solution.
Our impeccable plumbing repair service is not the only service we offer homeowners in Denver and the surrounding areas. You can also count on us for:
- Water heater repair, installation, and maintenance
- Tankless water heater repair, installation, and maintenance
- Sump pump repair and installation
- Kitchen and bath repair and installation
- Gas line repair and installation
- AC repair, installation, and maintenance
- Heating repair, installation, and maintenance
- Sewer line repair and installation
- Issues with heat pumps, air ducts, humidifiers, furnaces, etc.
To keep your sewer lines functioning efficiently this spring, call Jim Needham Heating Cooling Plumbing and Drain today!
