Your sewer line is an essential part of your plumbing system because it’s responsible for removing water waste from your home. You’ll quickly notice if your sewer pipe isn’t functioning as it should because you’ll run into issues flushing your toilets, draining your sinks, or running your washing machine. Hunt’s Services is standing by in the Seattle and Tacoma areas to assist with all of your sewer system needs.
So what causes these sewer line problems in the first place? The reality is that numerous things can go wrong with your sewer system, and in some cases, there isn’t much you can do to prevent the issues from occurring in the first place.
What you can do is be proactive when you realize that your sewer line isn’t functioning at its full capacity by getting Hunt’s Services on the job.
Our team of licensed, certified technicians have seen every plumbing problem imaginable in King County and Pierce County so that we can get to the bottom of your issue quickly and efficiently.
Give us a call at 253-533-7500 to start the process right away. From there, you won’t have to worry about your sewer system anymore because Hunt’s will take care of it.
Here are some common sewer line problems in the Tacoma and Seattle areas.
1) Tree Roots
One sewer line problem that we see with regularity in Seattle and Tacoma involves tree roots damaging the pipes in search of water. These roots extend for substantial distances underground, looking for moisture to keep the tree alive. Eventually, the roots can wrap around your sewer line and break through at the joints, causing your drains to slow.
As the roots continue to grow, they weaken the pipe’s joints even further, and wastewater can begin escaping into your yard. Eventually, the entire pipe will collapse, leaving you with a significant cleanup in your yard, and a pipe that needs a complete replacement.
Tree roots are a problematic issue to prevent because the plant doesn’t necessarily have to be on your property to cause problems in your yard. What you can do, however, is make sure the trees on your property have enough water, especially in a period with little rain.
When planting new trees in your yard, make sure you avoid water-loving species like silver maples and weeping willows. Trees that require more water tend to cause more problems with sewer lines. You should also be aware of the location of your sewer pipe and avoid planting new trees close to it.
2) Shifting Ground
Another common sewer line issue in Western Washington is pipe failure because of shifting ground. Your pipes are supported by the soil under your landscaping, and when tectonic activity occurs, the ground can shift.
Even a slight shift puts added pressure on your pipes and can lead to a complete failure over time, complete with wastewater leaking into your yard.
While you can’t prevent the ground from shifting, you can have your pipe repaired as soon as you notice an issue to, hopefully, prevent significant damage from being done to your property.
3) Orangeburg Pipe
Depending on the age of your home, you could run into plumbing problems based on the materials used in your sewer line. Before 1972, homes in this area would use Orangeburg pipe, which is made from wood pulp and asphalt. While these pipes are incredibly lightweight, the material is brittle and prone to breaking because it absorbs moisture.
If you believe that you have Orangeburg pipes in your home, the best thing you can do is have them replaced with PVC. That way, you won’t have to worry as much about breaks and will experience fewer plumbing issues in the future, as well.
Warning Signs of Sewer Problems
There are some warning signs to watch for that can help you call for the plumbing help you need before your property is extensively damaged.
- Slow drains – When you notice that your drains are taking longer to empty than usual, it means that something is blocking your pipes. If only one drain is slow, there could be an isolated problem with that particular fixture. Multiple slow drains, on the other hand, could mean that you have a clog or break in your Seattle sewer line.
- Clogged drains – If nothing is draining from your fixtures at all, you likely have a significant clog. There are a variety of underlying reasons for clogged drains, as anything from putting grease into your sink to having a broken sewer line could make it difficult for your pipes to drain. Hunt’s offers drain cleaning services, getting your system back on track quickly.
- Sewer waste backing up into your home – Have you noticed waste coming back into your fixtures after you flush your toilet or drain your sinks? If so, you likely have a problem with your sewer line that you’ll want to address sooner rather than later. Hunt’s Services offers trenchless sewer repair options, including pipe bursting, which is a non-invasive pipe repair method.
- Frequent service calls – When you find yourself making constant service calls, you likely have a severe plumbing problem that should be addressed. Hunt’s
Services will conduct a camera inspection, which allows us to see inside your pipes and identify why you’re experiencing issues.
Call Hunt’s Services Today
If you believe you’re in need of plumbing assistance, give Hunt’s Services a call at 253-533-7500. Our team of certified plumbers is standing by to handle all of your sewer and pipe lining needs, so don’t hesitate to contact us.
We offer discounts to seniors and veterans, and can even deal with your septic to sewer conversion, if necessary.
For more information on our plumbing services, check out our Sewer Repair YouTube video.
