Top 4 Signs of a Sewer Line Problem

Posted on January 21, 2021 by weilhammerplumbing

Your sewer lines are one of the most vital plumbing systems on your property. If they break or develop an obstruction, they can create a massive disaster that takes a lot of time and money to resolve. For this reason, if you start to notice any signs that your sewer system might be experiencing some trouble, it is important to act fast and contact an emergency plumber for an inspection. Catching and resolving a small plumbing problem early on is the key to avoiding costly plumbing disasters. Not sure what sewer line problems look like?

Continue reading to learn the top 4 signs that indicate a potential breakage or blockage in sewer lines.

Indianapolis Sewer Line Plumber 317-784-1870

Bright Green Spots on the Lawn

Do some areas of your lawn look like normal-colored grass, but other spots are distinctively greener or brighter? If so, you might be looking at the most common sign of a busted or blocked sewer line. If an underground sewage pipe is leaking or cracked open, it is essentially fertilizing your lawn, which as biology shows us, renders greener, lusher grass.

Stagnant Water on the Lawn

Some puddling every now and again after a storm is normal. But if your lawn doesn’t seem to drain its puddles fast enough, or at all, it could be a sign that your sewer line is cracked. A cracked main line, broken septic tank, and obstructions in a drain field can all cause water and sewage to release, which eventually pools into puddles on the surface of the lawn. This can also cause lingering odors, as you would imagine, which is another common indication of a problematic sewer system.

Sewer Odors

As just mentioned above, another common sign that suggests there is something going wrong within your sewer line system is a lingering sewer smell. If sewage water is leaking underground or pooling on the surface, you can guarantee it will carry its odors with it. Such odors can also attract unwanted nuisance wildlife and pests, which can be a threat to people, pets, and property.

Slow Draining

If your drains are draining slower than usual, you might want to focus your attention on your sewer lines. That is because slow drains are a common sign of a backed-up or clogged sewer line. If you have just one or two isolated drains that drains slowly, you likely have a standard clogged drain issue. But if all of your plumbing fixture drains are draining slow, such as the bathtub, kitchen sink, bathroom sinks, and showers, then it is likely your sewer lines.

How to Repair a Broken Sewer Line in Indianapolis

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 when you need drain clearing plumbing services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our licensed master plumbers provide a wide range of plumbing services for both residential and commercial properties, including home plumbing inspections for damaged sewer lines. We also offer free estimates, free plumbing advice, and even free haul-away for old plumbing appliances. Request a free estimate, today.

Indianapolis Indiana Master Plumbers 317-784-1870

Top 3 Plumbing Tips for Sewer Maintenance

Posted on November 27, 2019 by weilhammerplumbing

Last week, we discussed the top three ways you can prevent your outdoor faucets and spigots from freezing over this winter. This week, we want to focus our attention on sewer line maintenance. Many homeowners are unaware that their certain precautions they can take to ensure their sewer systems remain functional and efficient all year long. Proper sewer line maintenance should be a top priority for all homeowners considering no one wants to get stuck dealing with the sewer overflow or backup.

Continue reading to learn the top three recommended plumbing tips for residential and commercial sewer maintenance.

Indianapolis Plumbing Service and Repair 317-784-1870

Risks of Sewer Overflows and Backups

In the case of a sewer overflow or backup, not only is the situation incredibly tedious and costly to resolve, it can pose several health and safety risks to people and pets. For this reason, it is important to make sure your sewer line system is always operating optimally and efficiently. Below are the top three tips you can use to enhance your sewer line maintenance plan. It is also recommended to talk to a professional Indianapolis plumber for answers to your sewer line repair and service questions.

Have Your Drains Cleaned Routinely

It is important to have your drains professionally cleaned on a routine basis. Not only can this help prevent issues of sewer lines, it can prevent several other plumbing breakdowns and implications. This saves you both time and money in repairs and inconvenience. In between professional cleanings, you can also clean your drains on your own. See our blog, “Unclog Any Drain With These 4 Simple Steps” to learn more. It is recommended to have your drains professionally cleaned at least once a year; but for homes with four or more occupants, it is better to have your drains cleaned twice a year.

Choose Your Landscaping Wisely

Many homeowners are unaware that several different types of tree and shrub species can be invasive enough to damage your underground utilities and plumbing, including your sewer lines. Trees such as Willows have heavy and aggressive root systems that can sometimes enter underground plumbing pipes and sewer lines. Even tree species that are not known to have invasive root systems can do damage. So before remodeling your landscaping, consider how it might affect your property’s underground plumbing systems.

Pay Attention to Sewer Line Clean-Outs

You know those plastic white tubes with caps sticking out of the ground on your property? These are your clean-outs, and they provide direct access to your sewer lines. Without proper routine maintenance and cleaning, they’ll eventually begin to produce a stinky gas smell, which is something incredibly off-putting for anyone who cares about their quality of comfort around their home. Every few months, give your clean-outs a check, and be sure they are filled with water. If one of the caps is a little loose, be sure to get it tightly secured again.

Indianapolis Sewer Line Plumbing Services

Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for home plumbing services in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. Our state-licensed Indianapolis master plumbers have been in the plumbing business for over 100 years because we have earned the trust of thousands of Hoosiers all across the city as a result of our professional service and outstanding results. Request a free estimate or advice, today.

How Do Tree Roots Affect Sewer Lines?

Posted on May 12, 2015 by weilhammerplumbing

Indianapolis Plumbing Repair 317-784-1870

Master Plumbing Repair 317-784-1870

Now that summer is mostly here, plants and trees are growing at full speed. Roots grow long, absorbing water and nutrients and passing them along to their host. Tree roots are generally longer, stronger, and bigger than any other plant root; and they only continue to grow in girth and length as time goes on. In fact, trees can grow and thrive for hundreds of years in the right condition!

Although majestic and beautiful, trees and their roots can cause problems for property owners. Aside from the occasional fallen tree or unsightly stump, trees also pose problems as a result of their roots. One of the most common areas affected by tree roots on residential and commercial properties are sewer lines. Now we all know how important our sewer lines are, without an in-depth description of what they do and why they are so beneficial to modern-day plumbing. So with that being said, continue reading to learn how problematic tree roots can cause issues with residential and commercial sewer lines, and what to do about it.

Tree Roots in Sewer Lines

Tree roots can grow strong and penetrate plumbing pipes and sewer lines. This can lead to messy, costly, and tedious repair projects. Sewer lines can backup and become clogged with tree roots and plant matter, over time. Pipes can burst, break, corrode, and deteriorate as a result. Unfortunately, the environments inside sewer lines and plumbing pipes are absolutely ideal for tree roots, which is why they tend to gravitate toward them. The dark, moist environments seem like they would not be a good place for root growth, but in fact, they are. Pipes have everything roots need and want: oxygen, nutrients, and of course, water. They are also attracted to the vapors within sewer lines that escape into the surrounding soil.

Tree roots access pipes by growing into loose joints or cracks. They grow in hair-like masses, creating a perfect obstruction-causing filter for sewer line debris like toilet paper, hair, feminine hygiene products, waste, grease, and other debris that flows through sewer lines. This prevents sufficient water flow, causing clogs that eventually backup the lines. This makes a toilet entirely useless! Routine pipe inspections can help prevent tree roots from penetrating and entangling plumbing pipes and lines.

If you are hearing strange noises coming from your toilet, or notice other issues with your plumbing, you may have a clog in your sewer line. Contact a master plumber for professional inspections, diagnostics, and repairs you can trust.

Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc.

Weilhammer Plumbing Indianapolis Indiana 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for expert plumbing repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, and his team of equally qualified and licensed plumbing contractors, offer a wide range of plumbing services for residential and commercial properties. If you need sewer line repair, burst pipe repair, toilet repair, or any other plumbing service, we are the professionals to trust for the best service and most competitive prices in town! Call 317-784-1870 and speak with a licensed Indianapolis master plumber about sewer line repair and more, today.