5 Reasons for a Collapsed Sewer Line
Sewer line connects your home’s plumbing system to the municipal system. It’s a reliable connection as long as you carefully maintain it and you’re careful about what you let go down the drain. However, if it collapses, it’s typically the end result of a variety of untreated underlying issues.
While a common solution is sewer line replacement, it’s inevitable to reach out to reliable local specialists in Riverside so they can perform a thorough inspection, detect the root cause, and provide an efficient solution. Keep reading to learn more about the possible reasons for a collapsed sewer line.
What causes a collapsed sewer line?
When the pipes lose their structural integrity, it eventually allows for the soil above to collapse right into the pipe and completely block the flow. The following are the most common reasons for this situation to occur: 
Root intrusion
Tree roots seek water which is why they’re attracted to the existing moisture around the pipe and eventually grow into it through joints. As they grow, they weaken the pipes and cause them to break and collapse. Your plumbing experts can detect this with a camera inspection, and they’re usually able to see the tree roots inside the pipeline.
Misaligned and offset pipes
It often happens that the pipe arrangement is offset or misaligned. When this occurs, it doesn’t necessarily result in immediate damage. However, over time, they will start leaking wastewater into the soil, erode it, and increase the amount of pressure on the pipe, eventually causing it to collapse.
Old Orangeburg pipes
Another common reason for pipes to collapse can be their age. A significant amount of old piping was made of Orangeburg, which is basically compressed tar paper. While they’re somewhat reliable, after several decades of use, they can begin to decay and eventually collapse.
Installation issues
When a new system is installed, potential errors made during the process can cause it to collapse. If the pipes have gaps in between, they can start to leak out. Just as with old pipes, this results in soil erosion and additionally strains the pipe, eventually breaking it down. This can occur years after the installation.
Shifts in the ground
Any movements or shifts in the ground can cause the misalignment of pipes. Sinkholes, earthquakes, and any other similar natural disasters that cause significant ground shifts typically result in broken pipes. While certain pipe types, such as HDPE, are capable of resisting these forces much better than others, they don’t provide full protection from such events.
What to do if your sewer line collapses?
When you notice potential signs of a broken sewer line, reaching out to your dedicated local plumbing specialists is inevitable. They have the tools and equipment necessary to perform a thorough analysis of the entire property and detect whether the pipes are broken, what caused them to break, and whether there’s any other damage done to the rest of the system. Finally, they’ll provide you with the most reliable solution.
Who can deliver high-quality sewer line replacement in Riverside?
Whether you believe it’s time to replace your sewer line, or you need to unclog it, feel free to reach out to OneStop Plumbers. With years of experience and a skilled team of knowledgeable experts, we have what it takes to efficiently analyze your plumbing issues and provide you with a prompt and effective solution by using tried-and-true methods and state-of-the-art equipment. We’re available across the area, so contact us whether you need us in Orangecrest or any other nearby location. Give us a call today!