Most likely, your Asheville sewer line will show some physical signs.
The first clue that your sewer line needs replacing will likely be the smell. You might notice it when you flush your toilet, when water drains in the sink or even when you water your lawn. The unpleasant odor definitely catches your attention.
But that’s not the only indicator. Other common signs that your Asheville sewer line needs to be replaced include:
- Heavy mold that appears on the walls or ceiling of your bathroom, which can indicate an invisible leak
- A small but visible sinkhole in the yard
- Bubbles and strange noises coming from your toilet or tub
- Ineffective draining in your sink despite your efforts to clear it up
- Sidewalks or pavers outside that sink
- Large wet spots on your lawn when the weather’s been dry
- A particularly lush patch of grass, which may be fertilized by raw sewage underground
- An increase in rodents and certain insects that can survive in the pipes and travel into your home
Know If Your Pipes Are Up to Snuff
Today’s homes are built with CPVC pipes that can handle water pressure, as well as hot and cold running water. If your home was built in 1970 or earlier, chances are your Asheville sewer lines are clay pipes that will need to be replaced at some point.
Keep in mind that any pipe can break over time due to a variety of factors. Clay pipes are more likely to need replacing, though, and here’s why:
- Clay pipes can give way under pressure from tree roots, which then grow into the pipes. The roots clog your system or even cause the pipes to collapse.
- Clay pipes are more susceptible to wearing down over time due to the pressures and temperatures running through them. Other environmental factors can cause them to become brittle, too.
- Clay pipes are more easily crushed during construction work or while heavy vehicles travel over them.
What to Consider
If it turns out your Asheville sewer line does need replacing, consider:
- Experts do not recommend replacing only a portion of your clay pipes. Chances are the rest of your clay pipes will collapse soon. Also, it’s challenging to install and properly seal other types of pipes to a clay pipe, increasing the risk of another leak down the road.
- If your Asheville sewer line is broken due to tree roots, it’s better to remove the tree; otherwise, you’ll find roots pressing in on your new CPVS pipes in the future. While the new materials are better, they aren’t indestructible.
Most homeowners’ insurance plans don’t cover sewer line repair or replacement. Often, once a issue occurs, all your options to replace your Asheville sewer lines may cost about the same and include some sort of negative aspect.
Your best bet — to save your mature landscaping and paver patios — is to have Blue Planet Plumbing check to see if you have clay pipes now, before there is a issue, especially if you have an older home. Once a pipe breaks, it could be in an awkward location that leaves you no choice but to rip out carefully tended, expensive plantings.
The Asheville plumbers from Blue Planet Plumbing offer knowledgeable advice so you can make an informed decision. They recommend the most up-to-date, cost-effective and environmentally conscious plumbing available. Call Blue Planet Plumbing at 828-423-6289 for all your plumbing needs.
