The main sewer lines in homes are designed to last a long time. Today, most home lines are made from PVC pipe. If you’ve never heard of PVC pipes before, you are not alone. PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride, and this polyvinyl chloride pipe is built to last. If your sewer line is built with PVC or PVC pipe, it will likely last 100 years.

However, if your house, and therefore your main sewer line, was built before 1980, it was most likely built with clay pipes. Clay pipes last much less than PVC pipes. Clay pipes last only 50-60 years.

However, the lifespan of these two types of pipes are only estimates, so there is a possibility that you may have to replace your home’s sewer system before the expected 100 years or 50-60 years of useful life. for PVC and clay pipes.

There are a few ways to know if your home’s sewer system will need to be replaced before its estimated useful life. One way to know if your sewer line needs to be replaced is to go out on your lawn and see if you smell anything out of the ordinary. As main sewer lines age, they become brittle and cracked. When pipes become brittle and cracked, the mud that flows through the pipes from day to day begins to slowly seep to the top of the dirt from your lawn. When this mud starts to rise to the top of your lawn, it will create smelly sinks. If you see these sinks, you should definitely call a plumber to check the main sewer line before the problem worsens.

Another example of a sign that your main sewer system may need to be replaced will occur in your own home; in your bathroom! If you’re getting ready for your work day and you start hearing something interesting coming from your toilet, you may have a serious problem. The sound will be like a strange gurgling coming from your toilet, and if you hear that noise, you will have to call a plumber quickly, because your main sewer line may be shutting down.

Be on the lookout for either of these two signs that it’s time to replace your sewer system because it’s best to catch this problem before it sneaks up on you and ruins your day.