Sewer Services in Nebraska

Protecting Your Home from Sewage Damage

A main sewer line clog is one of the most serious plumbing issues a Nebraska homeowner can face. When multiple drains back up at once, or you notice foul odors, the problem is deep in your system. This threatens your property with unsanitary backups and potential pipe damage.

We are Snell Services, and we have provided expert plumbing solutions since 1941. Our veteran-owned team offers 24/7 emergency sewer service. We use state-of-the-art technology, including fiber optics, to diagnose and resolve your issue safely and correctly the first time.

Facing a main line clog? Call Snell Services today at (308) 337-6337, or contact us online.

What Happens If My Sewer Line Breaks?

If your sewer line breaks or becomes severely damaged, the consequences can be immediate and pose serious risks to your property and health. A break in the sewer line disrupts the normal flow of wastewater from your home or building to the sewer system or septic tank, leading to potential backups into your house or commercial space. This can cause wastewater to emerge from drains, toilets, and even through the ground in the yard. Such incidents not only create a highly unpleasant environment but also necessitate costly and invasive repairs to restore proper function and sanitation.

• Beyond the immediate disruption and repair costs, a broken sewer line presents several dangers. First, there's the risk of contamination and health hazards. Wastewater contains bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that can cause a range of illnesses. When a sewer line breaks, these contaminants can seep into your home, building, or yard, posing a significant risk to the health of building occupants and pets. In extreme cases, there may also be contamination of local water sources, which can extend the health risks to the wider community.
• Furthermore, a broken sewer line can lead to structural damage to your property. The infiltration of wastewater into the soil around your home or building can cause the ground to shift, potentially affecting the foundation. This can lead to cracks in the foundation, walls, and floors, compromising the structural integrity of your building and requiring expensive repairs. In addition to structural issues, the excess moisture can encourage the growth of mold and mildew within your home or building, further exacerbating health concerns and potentially causing long-term damage to your property.
• Environmental damage is another potential consequence of a broken sewer line. The leakage of untreated wastewater into the soil and potentially into groundwater and nearby streams or rivers can harm local ecosystems. 

The bottom line: A sewer line that is in danger of collapse or has already collapsed is a serious issue that needs immediate professional attention. Do not wait to request our Nebraska sewer line services if you think something may be wrong.

Signs of a Collapsed Sewer Line

The sooner you address a potentially broken sewer line, the better. Calling in our professional plumbers at the first sign of trouble can help prevent escalating damage and the most severe consequences associated with a complete sewer line collapse. 

Your sewer line may have collapsed if you are dealing with any of the following issues:

• Frequent backups or clogs. While occasional clogs may not be linked to sewer line issues, experiencing frequent backups — especially in multiple fixtures — could suggest a severe problem in your sewer line. These recurring issues often signal a partial or complete collapse that is obstructing the wastewater flow.
• Unpleasant smells. An unmistakable sign of a sewer line problem is foul odors emanating from drains inside your home or building or noticeable in your outdoor areas. This may be due to the accumulation of wastewater that cannot flow through the collapsed section of the pipe.
• Gurgling noises from plumbing fixtures. If you hear unusual gurgling noises coming from your toilets, sinks, or showers, it may be because the normal flow of water has been compromised, forcing air bubbles to the surface. 
• Wet patches in the yard. Unexplained wet, soggy, or unusually lush patches in your yard or outdoor spaces, especially if they have an odor, can point to a collapsed sewer line beneath the affected ground. In these scenarios, the wastewater seeps out of the broken pipe and saturates the soil above it.
• Slow draining. Slow-draining sinks, tubs, or toilets can indicate a severe blockage caused by a collapsed sewer line, especially if multiple fixtures are experiencing issues simultaneously. 
• Rat or pest infestation. Rats and other pests can thrive in sewer lines. The sudden appearance of these unwelcome guests around your home or building can indicate a break in your sewer pipes, which gives them access. 
• Indentations in your lawn or under pavers. If you notice sudden indentations in your lawn or beneath paving stones on your property, it could be due to the earth settling into underground voids created when a sewer line collapses.

Identifying these signs early can save you time, money, and stress. Routine inspections, especially in older properties, can help catch these issues before they evolve into significant plumbing crises. Always consult with a professional to evaluate the state of your sewer system if you notice any signs of distress.

Deciding on Sewer Line Replacement in Nebraska

Determining whether your sewer line needs replacing rather than just repairs is crucial for maintaining the functionality and safety of your home or commercial building’s plumbing system. Our professionals at Snell Services can carefully evaluate the condition of your sewer line, walk you through our findings, and make an honest recommendation. Remember, older pipes are more prone to frequent and severe problems, so if your sewer line is nearing or has surpassed the end of its expected lifespan, we will likely recommend replacement.

The following factors can influence whether it makes sense to replace your sewer line:

• Severity and frequency of blockages. Frequent or severe blockages that are becoming increasingly difficult to clear — even with professional drain cleaning — may suggest that your sewer line has sustained significant damage or degradation over time, making replacement more cost-effective than ongoing repairs.
• Visible signs of damage. Signs such as indentations in your lawn, unexplained wet patches, or evidence of sewer pipe material in the soil (such as fragments of clay, cast iron, or PVC) can indicate a failed sewer line that needs replacement.
• Extensive root intrusion. While minor root intrusions can usually be resolved with repairs, a sewer line that has been extensively compromised by tree roots may require replacement to ensure a long-term solution.
• Constant sewer smell. A persistent sewer odor in your yard, home, or commercial building suggests a serious breach in the sewer line that repairs might not sufficiently address.
• Structural damage to pipes. If an inspection reveals that the sewer pipes have significant structural damage, such as cracks, holes, or collapses, replacing the line might be more effective than attempting repairs.
• Water quality concerns. Contaminated water or noticeable drops in water quality may be the result of a serious sewer line failure, necessitating a complete system replacement to protect your health and well-being.

Choosing to replace rather than repeatedly repair an old or failing sewer line can prevent recurrent issues, provide long-term peace of mind, and enhance property value. It is always advisable to consider the future savings in maintenance if replacement is recommended by a professional plumbing assessment.

Protect your home from backups. Call us today at (308) 337-6337, or contact us online.