Does a Sewer Line Belly Need to Be Replaced?

What is a main line in plumbing?

The main line is more commonly known as the sewer line. This is the plumbing line that takes the wastewater from your house and sends it to the city sewer line or into a septic tank. When it breaks, collapses, or gets clogged, that’s when you need sewer or main line plumbing repair.  When your mainline backs up, it is important to know where your cleanout is located.

What is the difference between a sewer line and a main water line?

Picture a divided roadway running underground between your home and the city connection. One lane is headed into your house – that’s the main water line and only clean water is in that lane. The other lane is coming from your house – that’s the sewer line and only wastewater is in that lane. 

The main line plumbing is located under the sewer side of that road. How can you tell if your main line is clogged? The main line, aka the main sewer line, is the side of the road that sends all the wastewater to the city sewer system. Typically, wastewater flows fairly easily, but they do break, collapse are become clogged by tree roots. There are 4 ways you can tell if the backed-up shower, sink or tub drains are clogged on your end or if you’re going to need main line plumbing repair service. Those 4 ways are: 

• Multiple drains are slow: One drain is usually just a plunger fix, but when you have multiple drains running slow, it is frequently an indication of a clog in the main line, plumbing repair by a professional will be needed. 
• Backed-up water in the drains: If your washing machine water starts coming up in the bathtub or a sink, or worse, the toilet, this is an indication you need main line plumbing repair service. 
•  Gurgling noises: If you are hearing gurgling noises as a drain or toilet drains, or while the washing machine is draining, this could be a main line plumbing repair issue and will need professional service. 
• Drains smell like a sewer: If any of the drains have a foul smell coming from them, you have main line plumbing repair issues.

Can a homeowner do main line plumbing repairs?

While it is best to have a professional plumber provide you with main line plumbing repairs, in a pinch, you do it yourself with a few basic tools. Those tools include a pair of heavy-duty work gloves, a pipe wrench, a professional-level auger (plumber’s snake), and a garden hose.  The following steps will clear anything that is clogging your main line plumbing, repairs for a broken main line (sewer line) should be addressed by a professional plumber: 

• Loosen the drain pipe cap using the pipe wrench all the way. 
• Open the pipe cap and allow any buildup to drain out completely.
• Feed the auger cable (plumber’s snake) into the drain pipe.
• Run the auger as far as it will go until the clog is busted up and then a little further.
• Run the garden hose into the drain and turn the water on full blast.
• Pull the auger out slowly, little by little, rinsing off with the water hose.
• Replace the drain cap and tighten it with the pipe wrench.

How is a broken underground sewer pipe repaired?

Unless you have a lot of time on your hands, and don’t mind getting dirty, any underground main line plumbing repairs should be done by a professional plumber. They will use of the following methods: 

Trench Main Line Plumbing Repairs

This is the most affordable way but it will cause damage to your landscape. The plumber will determine where the problem is and then dig up the old lines and either repair it if possible or replace it. ​

Trenchless Main Line Plumbing Repairs

If your lawn is your masterpiece, the plumber can avoid digging and take these steps for your main line plumbing repairs.  Your plumber will then go through these steps:

• Dig an entry hole to work from.
• Create a mixture of epoxy resin.
• Cut the right amount of cloth pipe liner.
• Fill the cloth liner with the epoxy resin.
• Insert the cloth liner into the old pipe using a machine.
• Add hot water for the epoxy to cure.
• Remove the cloth liner. 
• Run a special plumbing camera through to make sure they cover all problem areas.
• Cover the access hole they created.

The process will take up to 2 hours for the epoxy resin to cure before the main line plumbing can be used. 

Trenchless Pipe Burst Main Line Plumbing Repairs

Sometimes the sewer line is too damaged to use the above trenchless main line plumbing repairs, so the plumber will use another trenchless method. They will create an access hole as above then using a specialized drill tip, they will insert a new pipe into the damaged pipe. This will cause the old pipe to finish breaking apart and the new pipe will be connected to the house and the sewer opening. 

Keeping The Lines Clear

When you determine that you may need main line plumbing repairs as we’ve talked about here, you should call a few plumbers and get quotes. Ask about all three methods mentioned and get their bid along with their warranty on the work. And remember, if you need main line plumbing repairs in Victorville, CA  or any nearby cities, you can always count on our professionals to provide you with the high-quality services you need. Call 760-951-1721 today if you’d like to learn more about how we can help you.