Sometimes You Really Do Need To Replace Your Sewer Lateral

These days, you have more options than ever before when it comes to dealing with sewer lateral problems. Sometimes the pipe can be sleeved, which means a PVC or vinyl sleeve is placed inside the pipe to mask any leaks and provide a barrier. Other times, your plumber may be able to grind away the roots and other debris with an auger or a hydrojet. However, there are still times when these options won't work and you truly do need to replace the sewer line. Below, you will learn what those times are.

You've had the line hydrojetted before, but the tree roots keep growing back.

Have roots growing into your sewer lateral been an ongoing issue? Maybe you've had the roots ground away or blasted away once or twice already, but they are already back. Some tree roots are stronger and more stubborn than others, and if yours are growing back, you're going to spend a fortune having them ground out again year after year. As such, it is a good idea to have the sewer lateral replaced so you can put this endless cycle behind you. In the long run, you will probably pay less for a new pipe than to auger or hydrojet the line every year.

The line has collapsed.

People often assume that if their sewer lateral stops draining, it is because the line is clogged. But sometimes, the line may simply have collapsed. This can happen if something heavy falls on or is set on top of the area where the sewer line has been buried. For instance, it's a common issue with people who park in their front yards. There's really no way to repair a pipe that has collapsed, so you'll need to have it replaced.

The line is narrower than it should be.

These days, plumbers typically use 4-inch pipes for main sewer lines. But this was not always the case. If your line is really old, or if it was a DIY install by a less knowledgeable homeowner, it may be narrower. This is probably one of the reasons for the clog. The narrower the pipe, the more easily it becomes clogged. If you don't have the line replaced with a properly sized one, you'll probably just end up dealing with clog after clog.

Sometimes repairing or clearing a sewer line simply won't work — at least in the long-term. If your plumber recommends a sewer lateral replacement, you probably need it.

For more information, contact a sewer lateral replacement service.


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