BELLIED SEWER
A bellied sewer pipe may or may not be broken but can still cause a list of problems. Pipes such as PVC or ABS will bend a lot before cracking. Pipes that do not flex, such as cast iron, terracotta, Transite, or Orangeberg tend to crack when put under pressure.
Bellied pipes create a “trap” of water, this area of standing water slows down incoming sewage and can then lead to a blockage. In worst cases the pipe breaks leaking sewage into the ground, and allowing dirt to enter the pipe creating a blockage.
Bellied pipes create a “trap” of water, this area of standing water slows down incoming sewage and can then lead to a blockage. In worst cases the pipe breaks leaking sewage into the ground, and allowing dirt to enter the pipe creating a blockage.
MISALIGNED PIPE
Misaligned sewers are whenever the connection between two pieces of pipe are no longer joined together by their original means of connection. This can happen if the ground around one section of pipe has settled allowing that section of pipe to sink, and the next section to stay stationary. If the misalignment is bad enough soil, roots, and rocks can enter the pipe clogging it completely. At the same time sewage and water are leaking into the surrounding ground.
CRUSHED SEWER
A crushed sewer is the worst possible scenario as it created an instant blockage as soil and rocks fill the pipe. Snaking or jetting a line that has collapsed is impossible and can risk damage to equipment and personnel. Terracotta, Orangberg, and Transite pipe are most susceptible to being crushed. Complete dig up and replacement is the only viable option.
TREE ROOTS
Tree roots are one of the most common reasons sewers become blocked up or fail completely. They can find even the smallest cracks in a pipe, and once they are in they have the strength to break apart even the strongest pipes. The roots then begin to grow as the tree is feeding off the water and nutrients found in a sewer. Eventually the roots can fill an entire sewer. A good indicator that you may have roots in your sewer are:
Don’t let this happen to your sewer! Have it inspected before it’s too late!
