Maybe you’ve heard about sewer line bellies. Or maybe you’re having plumbing issues and are wondering whether there’s something wrong deep down in your sewer line.
Whatever the case, a belly in your sewer line is a common problem. It can lead to sewer line clogs, not to mention cracks in the pipe or even total pipe collapse. Long story short: it’s something you’ll want to address before things get out of hand.
First, let’s look at what causes a sewer line belly. Then we’ll consider some signs and symptoms of the problem. After that, we’ll go over some solutions and next steps.
What causes a sewer line belly?
Dirt. Weather. Geology. Time.
Those four things are the primary causes of a bellied sewer line. Poor installation of the original sewer line can result in a belly, but age and environmental conditions are the more common offenders.
During and after rain events, soils shift as they absorb water, dry out, or hold moisture for extended periods of time. Throughout the years, these subtle shifts can move your sewer pipes. Combined with local soil erosion and, in some cases, geological phenomena, it’s common for sewer pipes to start sagging in one or more areas.
These sagging areas are what we’re referring to when we talk about sewer line bellies. They typically take a long time to develop, and you can’t see them from above the ground.
But boy do they cause problems! A bellied sewer line can lead to…
- Clogs: Bits of food waste and other materials can accumulate at the belly and block the flow of wastewater.
- Tree root intrusion: Water might pool inside the belly and attack tree roots. The roots can break the pipe, enter through cracks, and cause blockages.
- Pipe failure: In a worst case scenario, the belly can expand such that it damages the pipe, leading to cracks and/or pipe collapse.
So if you’ve got a sewer line belly, you don’t want to ignore it. You want to address it before it causes bigger problems!
But how do you know if you’ve got one if you can’t see it?
Signs and symptoms of a sewer line belly
The signs of a sewer line belly are the same as the signs of a clogged sewer line. You’ll usually start to notice some problems with your plumbing. They might include:
- Gurgling noises from multiple drains
- Slow draining sinks and showers
- Bad smells coming from drains
- More than one clogged plumbing fixture
- Multiple drain clogs that you can’t clear with a plunger or snake
- Unusually lush areas in your yard
If you’re lucky, you’ll only notice one or more of the above before you realize something is wrong. After sewer line belly becomes more severe, you might find sewage backup from your lower level drains or even pools of sewage in your yard where the pipe has collapsed.
Solutions for a bellied sewer line
If you’re experiencing any of the above signs and symptoms, the first thing to do is shut off your water supply. If there’s a clog in the line, you don’t want to create more wastewater backup by running water or flushing toilets. Shutting off the water will prevent anyone in your home from doing just that.
Yes, we know it’s super inconvenient to have to do this. But it’s so important not to make the problem worse!
The next thing to do is contact a plumbing company that specializes in drains and sewers. Not all plumbers can do this kind of work, so you’ll need to identify someone who does.
A drain and sewer specialist will then:
- Perform a sewer camera inspection. They use the outdoor cleanout access point to snake a camera down the sewer line.
- Identify the exact problem you have. If there’s a clog, the camera will find it. In most cases, the camera will also reveal whether there’s a belly or sagging area in the line.
- Bust the clog, if appropriate. If there’s a clog in the line, it might make the most sense to clear it via hydro jetting. However, if there’s clearly a belly in the sewer line, you’ll have to replace the pipe. Your plumber might suggest doing this after clearing the clog or instead of clearing the clog, depending on the situation.
- Excavate the line and replace it. This is usually the best solution for a bellied sewer line. Since the line itself is damaged, it probably needs to be replaced. In some cases, it might be possible to repair or resituate the pipe, but truly bellied lines are rarely salvageable.
Think you may have a sewer line problem?
If you live in the Metro Atlanta region and are experiencing any symptoms of a clogged or bellied sewer line, PV Heating, Cooling & Plumbing can help!
Our plumbing team specializes in sewer and drain services. We have the equipment, expertise, and years of accumulated knowledge required to identify and remedy any sewer line problem you’ve got.
Schedule a visit today by calling (404) 798-9672 or schedule service online!
