Worried about your sewer line? Heard horror stories about broken sewer lines and the mess it caused homeowners? You’re not alone. All across Florida homeowners are counting down the clock worrying about when they’re line might be the next one to go bad.
Turns out, up until the 1970s, cast iron was a commonly used material for sewer pipes. Although durable, even cast iron has its limits. Not to mention they are inflexible, difficult to work with, and expensive to repair.
Sewer leaks in Florida pose a serious health hazard, contaminating water supplies, the environment, and off-gassing hazardous chemicals such as methane.
So When Should You Consider Replacing your Sewer Line?
Cast iron sewer lines have a life expectancy of around 80-100 years. After that, you’re rolling the dice on when it’ll break. That said, many pipes experience breaks and leaks well before the 80-100 year mark. If the age of your sewer line is 60+ years, it's time to start saving for a replacement.
Other Signs You May Need to Repair or Replace Your Sewer Line Now Include:
- Slow drainage
- Drain backups
- Foul sewage odors in the yard or home
- Pools of water in your lawn
- Foundation issues
- Septic waste backing up in your yard
- Patches of dark lush green grass (may indicate a leak)