Traveling underground from your home to the municipal sewer main, your sewer line is a bit of a mystery. Given the foul contents that it carries, you’re probably happy to have it stay that way. However, several interesting facts about sewer lines are well worth knowing. Here are five sewer line mysteries revealed.
1. Sewers Have Existed for Thousands of Years
Throughout recorded history, people have found ways to route their waste away from their living spaces. The Mesopotamians had functional sewers in the Temple of Bel in 4000 BCE, and the city of Mohenjo Daro in the Indus Valley is thought to have had sewer-connected latrines as early as 2600 BCE.
More interesting still, if you have a terra-cotta or clay sewer pipe at the exterior of your home, your sewer line isn’t far removed from these ancient designs. To modernize your plumbing system, consider having your terra-cotta sewer pipe replaced.
2. Some Sewer Lines Sit Close to the Surface
Not all sewer lines are buried beneath several feet of earth. In regions where outdoor temperatures regularly fall below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, sewer lines are often installed 5 to 6 feet deep. However, most sewer lines are covered by just 18 to 30 inches of soil.
3. Sewer Lines Can Develop ‘Bellies’
Given that they sit surprisingly close to topsoil, sewer lines aren’t impervious to damage caused by heavy weight and extreme pressure. For instance, if you place a heavy stump grinder or other machine just above your sewer line, it can compress the soil and offset pipe sections. It can also crack your sewer pipe or create a bowed U-shape that looks much like a sagging belly.
Residential sewer lines rely on gravity to push waste and wastewater to the municipal sewer main. When sewer line pipes have “bellies,” solid waste tends to settle at their lowest points and stop moving. Natural soil shifting, changes in soil composition and soil can also cause this problem. Fortunately, plumbers can spot “bellies” and built-up waste with sewer line camera inspections.
4. Some Things Stay Trapped in Your Sewer Line for Months
Think twice before sending “flushable” wipes into your plumbing systems. Often reinforced with durable polymers, these products don’t break down upon submersion. In fact, a “flushable” wipe could stay trapped in your sewer line for months, especially if it gets snagged on rough pipe interiors or invasive tree roots or weeds.
5. Your Sewer Line Can Serve as a Point of Entry for Pests
Have you ever heard tales of sewer rats entering homes via toilets? Unfortunately, rats can, and they do. If you have a cracked sewer pipe, rodents and other small animals could use it to get into your home. This is but one of many reasons to have your sewer pipe professionally inspected and maintained every 18 to 24 months.
Although they’re buried and out of sight, sewer lines shouldn’t stay out of mind for long. With regular maintenance and care, you can keep your sewer line intact and functioning optimally.
To find out more about sewer lines or to schedule sewer service in Antioch, CA, contact Almighty Plumbing today.
