What’s the difference between sewer cleaning vs. repair in Norfolk? When do you need one more than the other? In this guide, we’ll highlight the signs that you might need your sewer lines cleaned, compared to when they need to be repaired.
Sewer Cleaning vs. Repair in Norfolk
There are some clear signs of sewer issues. The problem is that it’s hard to know whether you need a sewer repair or cleaning based on these signs alone.
Still, it’s a good place to start. So, keep an eye out for the following signs to determine if you have a damaged sewer line or a blocked one.
Multiple Slow Drains in Your Home
A slow drain often (but not always) indicates a blockage. However, if the issue only occurs in one drain, it means the blockage is likely to be localized to that drain, in which case it can often be removed using a mechanical drain auger.
If there are multiple slow drains, it means the problem is within your main line and is affecting the flow throughout your home.
Foul Odors Throughout Your Property
If you detect strong smells around drains or in other areas of your property, there could be a blockage of sewage or a leak/crack. Wastewater should be flowing smoothly through your lines, and if you’re detecting strong sewage smells, that’s not happening.
Pests and Persistent Dampness
Pests are attracted to stagnant water and waste, so if you’re noticing an influx of them around your drains and other areas of your property, there may be an issue with your sewer lines. You may also notice damp patches inside or outside your property, and they could even appear as lush patches of grass in your yard.
Strange Noises
If you hear strange, gurgling noises after flushing the toilet or using the sink or shower, it could be indicative of trapped air in your sewer lines. Those noises may also present as gurgling in your drains when you run the washing machine.
When You Need Sewer Cleaning in Norfolk, VA
A blockage often forms from FOGs, which stands for fat, oil, and grease, but can also be the result of tree roots intruding into your lines, hygiene products from bathroom drains, and even hair and soap scum. It accumulates in your sewer lines, attracts more debris as it grows, and then steadily decays, preventing the flow of wastewater while also causing smells and strange noises.
A skilled technician can use various tools and methods to remove that blockage. These include hydro jetting, which uses high-pressure water to clear away blockages while also cleaning your pipes and removing excess sediment.
When You Need Sewer Repair in Norfolk, VA
Cleaning won’t do much for heavily damaged sewer lines. If they are cracked, corroded, or have collapsed, they need to be repaired. A technician can use methods such as trenchless pipe lining, whereby they insert a flexible, epoxy-coated liner into your pipes, inflate it, and then cure it, creating a new pipe within the old one.
The problem is that many of the signs that indicate sewer damage are also indicative of a blockage.
How Technicians Assess Your Sewer Lines
At Mr. Rooter®, we inspect your sewer lines thoroughly before we recommend cleaning or repair. We can conduct a sewer camera inspection that feeds a specialized camera into your lines to check the condition, look for blockages, and see if there’s anything that needs to be addressed.
Whether you have a recurring sewer backup, hear strange noises, or notice strange smells, a sewer camera inspection can find the cause and point us toward a solution.
Sewer Cleaning vs. Repair in Norfolk with Mr. Rooter®
Whether you will eventually need sewer cleaning or sewer repair, you can always rely on Mr. Rooter®. We’ll inspect your lines, find the cause and location of the problem, and then discuss a solution.
All our clients receive an upfront, transparent quote, as well as a customer satisfaction guarantee courtesy of our Neighborly Done Right Promise®. If you’re not happy, neither are we, and we’ll return to put things right.
