Underground drain pipe problems: what causes them, how they are found, and what to do.
The drain pipes running underground from your house to the city sewer main are the most consequential — and least visible — part of your property’s plumbing. Problems develop gradually and give warning signs before they become full failures. Knowing what to look for makes the difference between a $400 maintenance call and a $15,000 pipe replacement.
Common underground pipe problems in Georgia
Root intrusion — the most common issue in Metro Atlanta and North Georgia. Tree roots enter through cracks, loose joints, or aging gaskets. Once inside, they grow and expand. Early-stage intrusion has no visible effect; advanced intrusion causes blockages and eventually structural pipe failure.
Pipe deterioration — clay tile (pre-1960s), cast iron (pre-1970s), and Orangeburg (1940s–1970s) pipes all deteriorate with age. Clay tile joints fail. Cast iron corrodes internally. Orangeburg softens and deforms. The camera inspection shows the current condition of whatever pipe material is in the ground.
Pipe offset and settlement — ground settling, soil movement, and root pressure can shift pipe sections out of alignment at joints. Offsets catch waste and paper, causing recurring clogs. Significant offsets block flow entirely.
Bellied pipe — a section that has sunk below the intended slope, creating a low spot where waste pools. The pooling area accumulates solid material over time and causes recurring blockages.
Infiltration — groundwater entering the pipe through cracks or joint failures. An inflitrated pipe is leaking in both directions — waste out, groundwater in.
How underground pipe problems are found
Camera inspection — the only way to know the condition of a buried pipe without excavation. Everything listed above shows on camera. The inspection shows location, severity, and extent of any problems found.
What to do
Jetting: addresses blockages caused by root intrusion, buildup, or debris — but does not fix structural problems. Pipe repair: for localized structural failures (an offset joint, a collapsed section). Pipe replacement: when the pipe has deteriorated past the point where repair is cost-effective.
Call Sunburst Environmental at 678-799-4389 for same-day service across Metro Atlanta and North Georgia, or request a free estimate online.