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Sewer Belly Under House Slab? Learn How to Detect and Repair It
We often ignore signs like slow drains, gurgling sounds of the toilet, and a small clog, thinking they'll go away on their own. But the problem starts when these issues keep coming back! While sometimes it's just a minor plumbing issue, other times the reason might be a sewer belly!
It's a sag in your sewer line that can trap water and waste instead of letting it flow. And this issue is more serious than you might think, especially when it's hiding under your slab foundation.
Sometimes, you might not even see it coming until water backs up in your home or your foundation gets damaged.
But there are some easy ways to detect this problem before things get worse! And that's what we'll discuss here so that you can call a plumber to fix it before it turns into a costly repair!
Sewer Belly - What Does It Actually Mean?
You can think of your sewer pipe as a straight slide at a water park. And when everything flows down without any blockages, you'll know that it's working properly. But if a small section of that slide gets sagged, water would start getting trapped there, and the whole system wouldn't work perfectly anymore.
And that's exactly what a sewer belly is! In this case, wastewater won't move along the pipes and will slowly start building up in the low spot. When this happens over a long time, it can cause serious clogs, breakage of the pipe, and backups of wastewater inside your property.
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Why Sewer Bellies Happen Under Slab Foundations
If you live in San Jose, you'll notice many homeowners living in older homes struggling with sewer bellies under their slab foundations. One of the most common reasons behind this is the shifting soil conditions and old and worn-out plumbing infrastructure, which puts extra stress on underground pipes.
Several other reasons also cause this issue -
- Geological events like earthquakes or soil erosion can cause the ground to contract and expand, damaging pipes.
- Improper installation of the plumbing system, where the sewer line slope wasn't set up properly.
- When the foundation settles or shifts over time, it puts extra pressure on the pipe and causes sagging.
- Tree root intrusion might damage the underground pipes over time.
When these issues happen under your slab foundation, you might not be able to detect them right away. But if you know the signs, you might be a step ahead of this problem!
How Can You Know If You Have a Sewer Belly Under Your Slab Foundation?
Before you call for sewer line repair, you can look for these red flags that might mean you have a sewer belly under your property.
- Frequent Clogs: Almost all the drains in your property might stop working properly.
- Foul Smell: You'll have a sewer smell near your drains and outside your home.
- Sewage Backup: Wastewater might get inside and cause damage to your home.
- Slow-Draining Sinks: You won't be able to get rid of this problem even after plunging repeatedly.
- Sinkholes Near Your Foundation: This might be a serious warning sign of a sewer belly under your slab foundation.
- Wet and Soggy Spots: You'll see several soggy spots in your backyard even when it hasn't rained.
- High Water Bills: Your water bills might rise as your plumbing system has leaks or blockages that waste extra water.
- Backups After Heavy Rain: The extra water after the rain won't have a proper outlet and can cause backups in your drains and sewer lines.
When you face these problems over and over again, it means that it's time to call professional plumbers to get your plumbing system fixed right away!
| Get Rid Of Sewer Bellies By Calling Our Expert Pros at Preferred Plumbing & Drain! |
How to Fix a Sewer Belly The Right Way
You will need to contact a reputable company that provides sewer line repair by following the repair options mentioned here!
| Repair Option | What It Does |
| Spot Repair |
|
| Trenchless Sewer Repair |
|
| Pipe Replacement |
|
| Hydraulic Pipe Adjustment |
|
What’s the Most Cost-Effective Way for Sewer Belly Repair?
While the cost mainly depends on the condition of your underground pipes and the extent of damage, in the majority of cases, spot repairs can be the most cost-effective option for repairing a sewer belly. That's because it'll only target the damaged section and repair the minor sagging perfectly.
But when digging is needed for severe pipe damage, the cost can be more. And that's when you need to choose trenchless sewer repair. In this process, no major digging of the ground is needed, and the fixing will be done from the inside. And the overall cost will usually start from $3,000. Although it'll have a major upfront cost, this method often saves money over time by minimizing property damage!
For fixing minor issues, the pipe realignment repair technique might be the best option for you. And this is a budget-friendly repair technique, too! But if the damage is more serious, a full pipe replacement may be needed, and that option usually costs more.
Whatever you choose, it's always best to rely on a professional plumber who can pinpoint the exact problem and recommend the most budget-friendly repair for your situation.
| Want To Know The Cost Of Sewer Line Repair? Call for Free Estimate |
Some Common Questions We Would Love to Answer
1. Is it safe to keep using drains if I suspect a sewer belly?
We suggest you not use the drain if you think there's a sewer belly under your slab foundation, as it can make the problem worse and keep damaging your plumbing system even more.
2. What happens if I ignore a sewer belly?
When you ignore a sewer belly, it can lead to foul odors, sewage backup, expensive repairs, and health hazards like respiratory problems, infections, and more.
3. Is it possible to prevent sewer bellies from forming?
While you can't control some causes like soil movement, you can definitely prevent sewer bellies by ensuring that -
- There's proper installation of the plumbing system,
- You're calling the pros for a sewer inspection regularly.
Takeaway
When there's a sewer belly under your slab foundation, you'll see symptoms like foul smell near drains, slow drains, sewage backup, soggy spots in your yard, and more. So, your first step should be to call professional plumbers to fix the issue by spot repair, trenchless sewer repair, pipe replacement, or hydraulic pipe adjustment. When you take the right steps at the right time, you'll be saving money, time, and unnecessary stress!
Read More About:
- What’s the Difference Between a Drain Pipe and Sewer Line?
- Which Sewer Repair Works Best? Pipe Lining vs. Pipe Bursting
- Toilet Clog or Sewer Line Issue? Here’s How to Know for Sure
- 8 Plumbing Tools Every Homeowner Should Invest In
Rely On Preferred Plumbing & Drain For Expert Sewer Line Repair in San Jose!
Preferred Plumbing & Drain is here to solve all your minor or major sewer-related problems quickly and efficiently. We'll be there whenever you need us, as we provide emergency plumbing repairs to our customers 24/7.
We'll detect problems like sewer bellies with our special equipment and fix them right away without you having to worry about anything. Our expert plumbers also provide excellent sewer cleaning in San Jose!
We have 30+ years of experience in the plumbing industry, so you can rely on us without any hesitation! So, call us now at 800-414-0340.
