Ironically, a climate with mild winters may contribute to sewer line problems when the weather gets cold enough. This is because the sewer line isn’t buried as deeply in the ground as it would have been had the winters been usually harsh. When a cold snap happens, the line is more at risk of being affected or even damaged. On top of this, you still won’t be able to see your sewer line. Whatever cold damage it suffers might not manifest until it’s severe.

Signs of Trouble

When your sewer line is in trouble, it will let you know. Here are some signs that winter has caused some problems.

• Slow drains all over the house
• Bad smells
• Gurgling sounds from the drains or toilet
• Sewage backing up into the house
• Wet spots on the lawn near the sewer line, even if it hasn’t been raining

What Freezing Temperatures Do to Sewer Lines

Freezing temperatures do to sewer lines what they can do to the rest of your plumbing pipes. They freeze the water inside the pipes. Water is a weird substance that doesn’t shrink like other materials when it freezes. Instead it expands, and it can expand to the point where it forms blockages or even cracks the pipe. This can happen even to a robust pipe that’s buried underground, such as a sewer pipe. The problem is made worse if the sewer pipe is old or in rough shape. A damaged sewer pipe then leads to the signs and symptoms discussed above.

Not only does a damaged sewer pipe cause problems in your house, it can spill wastewater and sewage into the area. This effluvium can eventually make its way to the groundwater, and contaminate it. If you have a private septic tank, a damaged sewer pipe can also contaminate it and may even contaminate the drainage field. This can cost thousands of dollars to repair and replace.

Consult a Plumber Right Away

If you feel that something is wrong with your sewer line, you’ll need to call a plumber as soon as possible to check your system. This is true at any time of the year, but you should be especially on the lookout for problems if there’s been a freeze in the area. It’s possible to catch the problem in time for it to be resolved more or less easily. You may not need to have a trench dug in your yard and your sewer line or septic system completely replaced.

You may be surprised at how much a burst of cold weather can affect your sewer line. If you suspect that the cold, or anything else, has caused damage and you need sewer line repair and replacement, don’t hesitate to call our plumbers at Turbo Plumbing & Rooter of Granada Hills, California.