When Should I Replace My Sewer Line?
April, 23rd, 2020 at 4:11 pm
Categories: Sewer
When Should I Replace My Sewer Line?
Do you have frequent sewer problems? Are you wondering if a new line would solve them? At Rowell’s Services, we know that these are huge questions and that sewer line repair in New Hampshire can represent a significant investment in your home. We are always here to help you decide if replacing your sewer line is the right option for you.
Do I Really Need a New Sewer?
The most telling factor when it comes to replacing your sewer line is its lifespan. Depending on the material that your pipes were constructed out of, your sewer may have a longer or a shorter lifespan.
In general:
- Clay pipes last 50-60 years.
- Cast iron lasts 75-100 years.
- PVC lasts indefinitely. (These pipes haven’t been around long enough for us to know what their lifespan is.)
- Other types of sewer lines should be replaced ASAP because they may pose health hazards.
Factors Affecting Sewer Lifespan
There are many things that can cause you to require a sewer line replacement. These factors include:
- The material your pipes are made of
- How well your original sewer line was installed and/or the sewer code at the time of installation
- Nearby construction, either on your home or the ones nearby
- Tree and large shrub roots that may infiltrate your sewer line
- Soil conditions that may increase corrosion rates
However, lifespan isn’t the only consideration when it comes to replacing your sewer. You’ll also need to consider:
- The extent of the damage done to your lines. If the lines are riddled with tree roots all the way from your house to the street or they suffered catastrophic damage because of a natural disaster, they may need to be replaced early.
- If the lines were not installed properly, replacing them may be the best way for you to get a sewer that is up to code and that will work well for you.
- If your soil is particularly acidic or basic, your sewer lines may corrode faster than you might think possible. Replacing them with a non-corrosive material might be the best way to stop sewer hassles.
If you need some help deciding what solution is right for you, our team can help you get the answers you need!
HOW CAN I TELL IF I NEED SEWER HELP?
While some homeowners choose sewer line replacement when their pipes hit the end of their lifespan, others wait until there are sewer problems. Here’s what to look for. These issues may not require a full sewer line replacement. That said, only a professional plumber will be able to tell you what, exactly, is going on in your sewer. It’s never a good idea to attempt sewer work on your own, because the sludge inside can carry dangerous bacteria.
Sometimes, sewer line repair or other sewer line services can help instead. No matter what, though, these issues indicate the need for professional sewer line help.
- Smelling sewage in your home
- Sewage backups in your home
- Frequent clogged drains
- Multiple drains clogging at once
- Weird water patterns, like backups in your bathtub every time your washer drains
- Damp spots in your basement
- Wet spots in your yard
- Sewer stench in your yard
- Overgrown places in your yard or shrubs
How To Replace or Repair Sewer Lines
If you need to have your sewer lines replaced or repaired, you have a couple of options for how that can be done. The traditional way is to dig a trench along the sewer line, or along the section of it that needs replacement. This allows good access to the line, though it can also involve the removal of trees, shrubs, sidewalks, driveways and more, in order to get to the entire line. Fortunately, at Rowell’s Services we have a better way!
Trenchless Sewer Line Repair & Replacement
If you choose sewer line repair or replacement and you call us at Rowell’s, we’ll do everything we can to save you time and money. We’ll use trenchless sewer line repair whenever possible. This includes techniques like hydro jetting, sewer relining, pipe bursting, and more sewer services.
The thing that all of these technologies have in common is that they don’t require us to dig a massive trench along the entire length of your sewer. Instead, we’ll access the line using the hatch in your home or your yard and perform the repair that way. This is faster and you don’t have to pay to replace your yard when we’re finished!
For sewer replacement in New Hampshire, your plumber will use a winch to pull a new pipe into place and take out the old one. It can even grind the old one up if your plumber’s winch uses a pipe-bursting head, and then no one has to dispose of the broken material.
Call Rowells for Sewer Repair in New Hampshire!
Call the Northfield plumbing and heating experts at Rowell’s Services today if you have questions about whether sewer line repair or replacement is right for you or if you’re wanting to get your job started. We’ll be there soon and get your sewer flowing well again ASAP.
Alan Gentry
Shana Jackson
Jesicca Emrick-Ginther