Your home’s drain and sewer lines create the infrastructure of your plumbing. Even small drain or sewer problems can bring your household to a halt. Professional plumbers can resolve the issues and minimize the damage, but you need to know when to call for help.
We’ve compiled the most common drain and sewer issues Phoenix homeowners deal with so you can know the signs and solutions.
Drain Clogs
Your pipes may seem durable, but they’re only designed to transport water, sewage, and toilet tissue. Items like coffee grounds, oil, grease, and hair can compound and create clogs in your drains.
Routine drain cleaning will help keep clogs from forming, but you should always be careful about what goes down your pipes.
Sewer Clogs
An untreated drain clog doesn’t just go away. Instead, it can be pushed further down your pipes, collecting more debris over time. Sewer line clogs don’t just affect one drain; they affect your entire home, which can quickly turn into a mess. Repeated backed-up drains can be an early warning sign of sewer line clogs.
You need hydro jetting to clear the clog completely. Hydro jetting uses a high-pressure water jet to scour your pipes, ensuring they’re clean and clear of any built-up gunk that augers can’t clear.
Tree Root Intrusion
Tree roots are attracted to your sewer line because of the moisture. They can find tiny cracks or weak spots in your line, and, over time, the roots will push through your pipe walls. The roots will crowd your sewer line so no water or sewage can get through.
To remove the tree roots, you’ll need rooter services. Your plumber will use video camera inspection to pinpoint the exact location of your tree roots. You may need drain or sewer cleaning, repair, or replacement depending on the condition and age of your pipes and the extent of the damage the roots have caused.
Sagging Sewer Lines
Sagging or bellied sewer lines are caused by changes in the soil surrounding your pipes, such as:
- Soil erosion, particularly with Arizona’s heavy monsoons
- Foundation settling
- Construction
When the soil or ground conditions shift, the slope of your sewer lines could also shift. Even a small change to the slope can allow water to pool in the pipe. Over time, other debris and waste can collect there too.
Often by the time a sagging sewer line is discovered, tree roots and insects have severely deteriorated your pipes. Your plumber will need to dig a trench to remove the damaged pipe and correct the slope. Depending on the extent of the damage, you’ll need sewer line repair or replacement.
Orangeburg Pipes
Orangeburg piping was a popular pipe material used for drain and sewer lines in the Phoenix area between 1945 and 1972. They were inexpensive and designed to last at least 50 years, but it became apparent that Orangeburg pipes weren’t as durable as they needed to be.
They’re made of paper and wood pulp with an inner tar lining, so the pressure of the soil around the pipe and the water flowing through it made it more likely to corrode and collapse.
If you suspect your home has Orangeburg piping, you need sewer line replacement. Your plumber will need to excavate and remove the damaged piping to install modern piping materials proven to last.
Choose Penguin for Drain & Sewer Services in Phoenix
If you’re experiencing any of these common drain and sewer issues in your Arizona home, you need professional plumbing help.
At Penguin Air, Plumbing & Electrical, our experienced plumbers are ready to help you solve your plumbing problems with comprehensive drain and sewer services. We’ll help you determine the best solution for your home, needs, and budget.
Contact us online to schedule plumbing services or call (480) 550-9943 for 24/7 emergency repair.