You expect the sewer lines attached to your Yuma, AZ home to carry away the waste that you don’t want to see or smell. When the lines work as they should, they transfer the waste from your toilets and drain it into the city’s sewer system. Standing water and sewage smells are two big signs of damage to those lines. Let us look at some of the common causes of damage to sewer lines.
Plant Roots
The most common cause of sewer line damage is plant roots. Plants have long and complex root systems that seek water below the ground. One tendril can get through a tiny crack or gap in the line and expand the gap as the root grows. Some of the plants in Yuma that cause sewer line damage include bur sage and cat claw trees.
Rust
Metal pipes of all types will develop some rust. Galvanized steel pipes are common in Yuma because the material is strong and lasts a long time. Modern sewer lines usually use cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) piping, though, because it lasts longer and will not develop rust. The problem with rust is that it affects both the inside and outside of those lines. It can build up inside the lines and cause clogs that back up inside your home. The rust on the outside can wear down the line and lead to leaks forming.
Grease
You may not think twice about pouring grease down the drain, especially if you have a garbage disposal. Many people think that they can pour hot water down the drain to flush the grease through their pipes. While this does push the grease down, it will cool as it moves through the lines, even on hot Yuma days with temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The grease will harden in the line and form a clog that keeps waste from reaching the sewer.
Wild Animals
Another cause of sewer line damage is wild animals. These animals burrow in the ground and attack the lines to find both food and water. The roof rat is just one type of rodent found in Yuma that can damage your sewer lines. House mice and pack rats are also common. In addition to rodents that attack your lines from the outside, you also need to worry about mice and other small rodents falling through your drains and damaging the lines on their way down.
The causes of sewer line damage described above can give you an idea of what to expect with sewer line repair. Call PHD Plumbing today to take care of your sewer line damage as soon as possible to keep your Yuma home safe.