Many homeowners aren’t aware that their sewer line may have a belly. Sometimes, the sewer can develop a sagging belly that will require professional intervention to eliminate health hazards and serious plumbing problems.
Quick Takeaways
- A sewer line belly is a structural defect allowing wastewater and debris to accumulate rather than flow properly.
- Common causes of a sewer line belly include ground settling and soil movement.
- Sewer line bellies foster backups, clogs, and foul odors.
- Although small bellies can be monitored, larger ones require repair or replacement.
- The best way to diagnose a sewer line belly is with a sewer camera inspection.
What Is A Sewer Line Belly?
A sewer line belly is a structural defect that shouldn’t be there. It develops when a drainage pipe dips below grade and creates a low area; they’re more common in certain areas of the country.
In a typical gravity-fed sewer system, a gentle slope enables wastewater and debris to flow downhill to the sewer. When your sewer line develops a belly, the wastewater and debris become trapped, leading to recurring clogs, unpleasant odors, and possible pipe damage.
A professional plumber can diagnose the problem using a video camera, and the problem can be solved using trenchless pipe lining or other methods, depending on the severity and location of the belly.
What Causes A Sewer Line Belly To Develop?
There are several causes for a sewer line belly, and the cause determines whether it’s a minor or major issue. A minor belly can be monitored until it becomes a major belly, and the causes can include:
- Aging infrastructure
- Ground movement
- Heavy loads above the sewer pipes
- Improper installation
- Soil settlement
What Are The Signs You May Have A Sewer Line Belly?
Any of the following issues can indicate the presence of a sewer line belly:
- Drain backups in lower level drains
- Sluggish drains throughout the home
- Frequent clogs, line backups, and overflows
- Gurgling sounds
- Unpleasant odors
- Wet patches in the yard
- Toilets fail to completely drain
Not all sewer line bellies need to be replaced immediately. To determine if yours needs to be replaced, your punctual plumbers will need to know the extent of the problems you’re having and the length of time you’ve had them, the age of the sewer line and its location, and whether it is or can be causing structural damage.
What Happens If You Ignore a Sewer Line Belly?
If your sewer line belly has recently developed, if your plumbing issues are infrequent, or if you’re not experiencing structural problems, then you may be able to defer replacing your sewer line belly.
Can a Sewer Line Belly Repair Itself?
Just as your car or van doesn’t repair itself, sewer line bellies aren’t self-repairing; they require professional intervention. One of our punctual plumbers can assess your problem and provide an accurate estimate of the steps needed to rectify the problem.
Eventually, the line will need to be replaced, but that could be days, weeks, months, or years in the future. You need a professional inspection to determine the extent of the problem, and generally, the lines will need to be resloped to restore their proper function.
How Do Plumbers Diagnose a Sewer Line Belly?
Inspection: To diagnose and repair a sewer line belly, one of our punctual plumbers will use a sewer line camera and other specialized equipment to determine the precise location and severity of the problem.- Excavation:If the sagging belly is severe and can’t be repaired through other, less invasive methods, excavation will be necessary. We’ll dig up the affected area and make every effort to limit any damage. The length and depth of the excavation will depend on the extent and location of the belly.
- Repair or Replacement: Once the belly has been exposed, we can determine whether we can repair it or if it needs to be replaced. In severe cases, we may need to replace a section of the sewer pipe, and then we’ll reconnect it to the existing plumbing.After repair or replacement is complete, we’ll backfill the site and ensure that your system is correctly aligned and functioning. Although it may seem counterintuitive, repairing or replacing your sewer line belly requires professional expertise and equipment. It’s not a DIY project.
If you have or think you have a sewer line belly, call one of our punctual plumbers for fast and reliable sewer line repair in Bradenton, FL. We’re among the best in the area, and we’re sure you’ll be happy with our service.
FAQ
Is a sewer line belly an emergency?
It can be. It depends on the extent of the problems you’re having, the location of the sewer belly, the age of your plumbing, and the length of time you’ve had the problem.
Can hydro jetting fix a sewer line belly?
Although hydro-jetting can clear clogs and debris, a sewer line belly is a structural defect that needs to be repaired.
How much does it cost to repair a sewer line belly?
The cost to repair a sewer line belly will depend on the location of the belly, the degree of the problem, the length of time you’ve experienced a problem, and the age of the pipe, among other things. We’ll provide a comprehensive estimate of the cost before we begin.
Can a sewer camera inspection find a sewer line belly?
Yes. That’s why the first step in diagnosing the existence of a sewer line belly is to conduct a camera inspection.
Will homeowners’ insurance cover a sewer line belly?
That depends on your individual policy. Insurance policies are as unique as the policyholders, so yours may or may not cover the cost of a sewer line belly repair or replacement. We recommend that you speak with your provider to determine the scope of your policy, its provisions, and any deductibles or copays.
Need Sewer Line Repair in Bradenton, FL?
If you think you have a sewer line belly, don’t delay in getting it repaired or replaced. Even if it’s a minor problem at the moment, it can quickly escalate and become increasingly inconvenient and stressful. This is particularly true if you have aging plumbing or damage caused by storms or other natural disasters.
If you’d like to schedule an appointment with one of our punctual plumbers, call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing today and learn why residents of Bradenton, FL, and the surrounding areas have rated us as among the best in the area for sewer line repair and replacement.