What Is a Sewer Line Belly, And How Is It Repaired?
It’s essential to keep your property and yard safe, inviting and well-maintained to enjoy time with friends, family and neighbors. This means regularly inspecting and maintaining your home’s pipes and sewer line. Since your home’s plumbing, pipes and sewer system are typically not covered by a neighborhood Homeowners Association (HOA), this can result in costly, inconvenient and time-consuming repairs.
From repairs and regular maintenance to new construction and complete sewer system replacements, the expert plumbing professionals at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing offer excellent customer service, state-of-the-art equipment and on-time assistance.
What is a Sewer Line Belly?
Preventing damage to a sewer line helps ensure plumbing efficiency and avoid costly repairs. But what exactly is a belly? It’s a spot in the pipe that has sagged into a U-shape underground. This U-shaped section can then collect sediment, water and waste.
This also puts pressure on the pipes, leading to even more sagging and the possibility of broken pipes. This damage usually occurs at weak spots, such as at the pipe’s fitting. This is a significant job as it involves digging deep into the yard to get to the problem pipe. In addition to repairing the pipe, the slope must also be fixed.
Signs of Sagging Pipes in Your Sewer Line
- Slow water flow in drains and toilets
- Clogging and water backups
- Flooding or seeping sewage in the yard, from the drainpipes or on the floor
- Sewage odors
What Causes a Belly in a Sewer Line?
A properly functioning sewer system is designed to flow downward from the house, into the yard, in a sloping fashion. When a belly occurs, it’s because that slope has changed, which can happen when the soil erodes. This causes a backup and prevents drains and toilets in the house from emptying properly. This allows the pipe sink into the ground, thereby creating that sagging shape.
Causes of a Belly
- Erosion, shifting soil and excessive amounts of rain
- Tree roots
- Temperature changes that cause contracting and expanding pipes
- Improper installation and the use of inferior materials (such as clay)
- Old plumbing systems and improperly leveled pipes
How to Repair a Sewer Line Belly
If not repaired, a sagging pipe can cause blockages, backups, water damage and health risks. To check the status of your sewer system, consult a qualified professional who will use a video camera to inspect, locate the problem and assess risks and develop a plan for repair or replacement.
This is done by attaching a camera to a flexible cable and inserting it into the pipe. This gives a visual image of what’s going on, how deep it is and what might be causing it without digging up the whole yard until necessary. Once the problem is identified, a couple of procedures can be done.
The typical repair method for this type of damage is complete replacement. This involves digging down to the damaged pipe, removing it and then replacing it with a new pipe. Care must be taken to replace the foundation with sand, gravel or other sturdy materials to ensure a proper base for the new pipes.
Another option is the use of a trenchless pipe lining. Also called Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP), this method is a less invasive way to fix a damaged pipe. A liner coated in resin is inserted into the pipe. It then inflates, hardens and blends into the existing pipe, becoming a “new” pipe. No extensive digging is required for this method, which makes it less expensive, saves time and doesn’t harm your landscaping.
Hydro jetting is a method where high-pressure water jets are shot through the pipes to clear out any blockages. This is a temporary fix, but it can clear up the pathway in the pipes.
How to Prevent a Sewer Line Belly
Prevention is the key to any plumbing predicament. In addition to checking for leaks and slow drainage, you can also take a few steps to monitor potential problems.
- Know the type of material used to construct your sewer system. Cast iron, PVC and ABS are typically used for sewer systems. Many older homes have pipes made out of clay, which can become very weak and brittle, or Orangeburg pipe, which is made from layers of compressed wood pulp or asbestos and often becomes soft or flat and eventually collapses.
- Start with proper sewer system installation by ensuring the ground has a consistent slope and that the pipes are supported with sand or gravel to prevent the U shape from forming.
- Schedule regular inspections with a professional who will check for foundation shifts and sagging pipes.
- Check nearby trees and plants for roots that may penetrate the pipes.
- Don’t flush items such as wipes and sanitary products, as they can clog pipes.
- Listen for bubbling and gurgling sounds in the pipes. This can indicate a clog or backup in the pipes.
Your home’s sewer system is an integral component of your property. Whether you’re building a new home or renovating an existing property, proper installation and maintenance are key to preventing costly issues like a sewer line belly, broken pipes or water backups.
Consult us at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing for all your plumbing needs. We’re the punctual plumber. If there’s any delay, it’s YOU we pay.
