The main sewer line is a heavy-duty drain line made of PVC or cast iron. Its job is to transport the sewage, waste water, and any household hazardous waste to the city’s main waste treatment plant. Though not particularly glamorous, the sewer line serves an important purpose. But since it is all underground, you only know about the repairs when you start facing issues.
A common issue is a sewer line belly. It happens when the pipe settles down at a place, and all the gunk starts gathering at that point—leading to a blockage. We can all agree that a clog in your home’s main sewer line is never welcome news. So how serious is a sewer line belly? Here are three things you should know about it beforehand.
Occurrence Due To Natural Causes
The sewage line set by plumbers during construction usually has the appropriate angle. However, as time passed, a sewer line belly starts forming due to the movement in the soil. The dirt begins sagging and settling down. So, naturally, the pipe starts moving in that direction too.
An earthquake can have that impact on your sewage line too. If there are trees growing around, the roots can apply enough force to move a whole chunk of the pipe. So many factors play a role in this problem, and it is always a good idea to get your sewage line inspected once a year. It saves you from so much trouble that attacks suddenly and unexpectedly.
Identification Issues
A sewer line belly is located using technology. A sewer inspection camera is released inside the pipeline. So the plumbers analyze the environment and find out any blockage. But an inexperienced plumber can mistake a simple channeling issue for a sewer line belly. So when you need repair or replacement work, it is important to know who the best contractor is in your area.
Prevention of Sewer Bellies
Although the cause of a sewer line belly is usually natural, professional contractors make sure you do not face those issues. So one way to prevent going through the trouble is proper installation. If the soil underneath is already pressed down enough, it will provide a good ground for the pipeline support. Bedding materials are also involved in prevention. Gravel and sand do not sag easily. So a very decent support level is maintained throughout the lifetime of that pipeline.
