When you discover that there may be damage to your sewers, your first thoughts are like along the lines of “how much is this going to end up costing me?” and “how much of a pain will it be?” Unfortunately, those are not the only problems you could be facing.
If sewer repairs are not conducted in a timely manner, the leaking of water could lead to a number of long term consequences. Here are just a few of the potential issues you face:
Rodents: This may be surprising, but cracks in sewer lines could allow rodents to enter your home. Rats often reside in sewers and can make the trek from city main lines all the way to the pipes in your walls.Rodents don’t need much of an opening to find a way in, considering that they’re able to squeeze through a crack as small as three-quarters of an inch. Not only would you have to cover the extermination expense along with the sewer line repair costs, but rats can carry a variety of dangerous diseases that can be contracted simply by inhaling dust particulate in the air that may have come in contact with rodent urine or droppings. Pretty nasty, right?
Insects: Similar to the rats, insects, such as cockroaches, palmetto bugs, and sewer flies, can easily fit their way through cracks in your pipes. And because most of these insects thrive in damp areas, once they’re in, they’re there to stay.Worse, because insects can reproduce so quickly, waiting even a moderate amount of time to get sewer repairs can allow for a serious infestation. Cockroaches in particular can be hazardous to those with asthma, but can also cause long-term respiratory issues for children if exposed during developmental stages.
Mold: When water seeps into walls, ceilings, or the floor, overtime mold can grow. Some molds are so persistent that they only require a humidity level of 55% to thrive. Similar to the bacteria from rodents and insects, mold can cause serious health issues in people of any age.
Even if you don’t outwardly notice any signs that you have problems with your pipes, always consider it a possibility. Have them inspected regularly, or make sure they are replaced at least every 40 years, as recommended by experts.
There is no reason to put you and your family at risk for something as simple as a crack in a sewer line. Fortunately, some of the 104,852 plumbing and sewage companies in the U.S can offer equally durable sewer pipe bursting and lining, as well as offering a 10 to 50 year warranty, to protect from these problems for years to come. Don’t wait to schedule sewer repairs until it’s too late, or you might be slapping yourself down the line.
