Why Lakewood, TX Homes Have So Many Sewer Problems

Living in the Lakewood section of Dallas has amazing perks - but your home’s old plumbing isn’t one of them. Owning a home in one of DFW’s most historic neighborhoods means dealing with aging sewer pipes. It’s a big reason why we get more calls for sewer line repair in Lakewood than any other East Dallas neighborhood.

(You wouldn’t believe how many home sewer systems on your block are over 75 years old!)

Don’t let an aging sewer system drive you out of your stately Tudor - our Master Plumbers built a 4-step plan to protect your vintage house with durable sewer pipe solutions that last.

We’re Mother Modern Plumbing, and we’ve served Dallas homes like yours with nearly a century of combined plumbing experience. If you need sewer repair in East Dallas, call us 7 days a week for prompt scheduling and friendly, expert service.

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Historic Charm Draws People to Live in Lakewood, TX

Most of Lakewood Proper’s homes were built in the 1920s and 1930s. Your community is a pillar of Dallas’ sporting, arts and entertainment history, from the Lakewood Country Club to the timeless Lakewood Theater.

From the tree-lined shade on the M Streets to the west bank of White Rock Lake, a mix of outdoor recreation and great schools draw people to Lakewood. And there’s no lack of thirst for older homes - the average price per square foot of the oldest homes in Lakewood, TX has nearly doubled since 2015. 

The allure of gorgeous historic homes draws thousands of visitors to the annual Lakewood Home Tour charity event. Several Lakewood homeowners call us to inspect and update their plumbing every year for the upcoming Tour.

Lakewood’s gorgeous old homes have some ugly old plumbing

The double-edged sword of living in historic Tudor, Colonial and Spanish style homes is the aging infrastructure you inherit on purchase.

For many Lakewood, TX homeowners, this means a greatly outdated home sewer system comprised of cast iron or clay pipes.

Although these pipe materials were phased out of use in the 1970s and 1980s, a surprising amount of them still exist in East Dallas’ historic homes. To plumbers, they’re the equivalent of a ticking time bomb underneath a million-dollar estate.

4 Major Home Sewer Line Issues in Lakewood, TX

Our research team reviewed 5 years of sewer repair data for homes in the Lakewood section of Dallas, TX. We discovered 4 primary reasons for most sewer damage:

1. Aging infrastructure like outdated cast iron and clay pipes
2. Expansive clay soil that places stress on sewer lines
3. Flood-prone terrain near White Rock Creek
4. Root intrusions from mature live oak and cedar elm trees

In most cases, issues caused by clay soil, flooding and tree root intrusions are made worse by the presence of older sewer pipe materials that are past their intended lifespan.

Aging sewer infrastructure in Lakewood

A large number of homes in Lakewood, TX are approaching 100 years old. Local homeowners have spent decades refurbishing and updating the exterior facades and interior rooms of their houses - but it’s easy to forget the underground pipes in your yard.

“Unless you have new Schedule 40 PVC, you should really be updating your home’s sewer pipes every 50 years,” says Mother’s Master Plumber Steven Smith. “If not, you definitely need to have your pipes inspected more frequently.”

Got old cast iron pipes? Join Mother’s Pipeline for routine sewer camera inspections, plus 16% off all services, zero dispatch fees and guaranteed appointments within 24 hours.

Here’s the expected lifespan of older sewer pipe materials, and the timeframe when Dallas plumbers stopped using them:

TABLE: Expected lifespan of outdated sewer pipe materials in Dallas

In short: If your pipes were installed before 1980, they’re completely outdated and past their lifespan. This leaves your sewer system prone to sags, bellying, corrosion, breaks and complete collapse.

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Lakewood’s clay soil strains sewer pipes in your yard

North Texas sits on a bed of clay soil. It gets waterlogged when it rains, cracks and settles when it dries out, and is in a near-perpetual state of expansion and contraction.

It’s the reason your backyard pools and floods after a heavy storm, and why cracks form during hot summer months. This clay soil is also putting your sewer lines under constant stress.

Older homes with aging sewer pipes are the most vulnerable to this ongoing pressure and movement - degradation and cracks are highly likely.

“Flash Flood Alley”: local flooding concerns

Lakewood’s proximity to White Rock Creek and general North Texas location make it significantly vulnerable to flooding. It’s considered part of “Flash Flood Alley”, where a combination of shallow soil, Gulf air and urban development increases flood risks. 

The flood-prone soil in East Dallas is the primary driver of the Mill Creek Drainage Relief Tunnel, a 5-mile underground project aimed at providing better drainage and 100 years of flood protection for over 2,200 properties.

The Mill Creek Tunnel is delayed and slated for completion in 2027, with an outlet south of White Rock Lake at White Rock Creek.

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Mature tree root intrusions

Lakewood Proper is home to some of Dallas’ most beautiful mature trees - live oaks, cedar elms and pecans are everywhere. They’re gorgeous to look at, but they also have some of the most aggressive, invasive tree root systems in America.

As older underground pipe materials corrode, crack and leak, they’re vulnerable to intrusions as tree roots seek out the organic material inside them. 

It’s not uncommon for our plumbers to find multiple intrusions from a single tree root along a 10 to 15 foot span of sewer pipe in East Dallas backyards. This is especially true in the tree-lined M Streets section of Lakewood.

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How to Protect Your Lakewood Home’s Sewer System

Now for the good news: Lakewood, TX homeowners are among the most proactive Dallas residents when it comes to home improvement and protecting their investments.

Historic homeowners value preservation and improvement of their vintage properties. While other old neighborhoods depreciate in value, Lakewood Proper has seen a year-over-year property value increase for decades. It’s a testament to the love and care you put back into your homes.

Let’s talk about how to extend the same care and attention to your home’s sewer system. Do the job right once, and it will serve your home beautifully for the next century.

Here’s your 4-step plan for Lakewood, TX home sewer line management:

1. Assess your current sewer line’s age and materials
2. Inspect for damage, intrusions and signs of deterioration
3. Replace damaged sections with fresh Schedule 40 PVC
4. Maintain your new line with biennial service appointments

Step 1: Take stock of your current sewer line situation

Start your sewer upgrade by answering 5 key questions about your existing pipes:

1. When were your current sewer pipes installed or last upgraded?
2. What existing pipe materials are present in your plumbing system?
3. When was the last time your home’s sewer system was maintained or serviced?
4. What percentage of your sewer system isn’t upgraded to Schedule 40 PVC?
5. Do you notice any major symptoms of a sewer backup or leak?

Use the last question in our list to determine the urgency of your sewer repair needs, as well as the potential source of the problem. Look for the following 10 warning signs of a sewer issue:

• Perpetually wet spots in your yard that won’t dry
• Unusually lush or green areas in your lawn
• Depressions or sinkholes in your backyard
• Slow drains
• Sewage backup in drains
• Drains with standing water
• Smelly sink drains
• Sewer smell in bathroom
• Water level changes in toilets
• Gurgling sounds in drains and toilets

Step 2: Schedule a sewer camera inspection

Every quality sewer line inspection starts with advanced sewer camera technology. A small camera is attached to a flexible cable and sent into your sewer line, usually via your sewer cleanout or other convenient access point.

See any issues, blockages or damage in your sewer pipes in real time - no mess, no fuss, just real visual answers. Our team offers the highest-rated sewer line camera inspection service in DFW, as well as advanced hydrostatic testing and electronic leak detection services.

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Step 3: Inject new life with Schedule 40 PVC

If spot repair or pipe replacement is needed, look for the silver lining: it’s the perfect opportunity to ensure up to 100 years of optimal sewer performance.

The best sewer pipe material to set yourself up for decades of success is Schedule 40 PVC. This extremely durable material offers strong resistance against wastewater and sewage, lessens the strain of expansive clay soil, and has anti-corrosive properties.

Our plumbers provide transparent, no-pressure sewer repair options for your home based on the scope of your damage and your current budget. Schedule 40 PVC is our material of choice for all sewer replacement projects.

What’s the right sewer repair option for your home? Compare all your choices with our comprehensive, updated guide to Dallas sewer repair service options.

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Step 4: Establish a smart sewer maintenance plan

We strongly recommend scheduling sewer line maintenance every 2 years to keep your drains clear of clogs and your yard sewer line clear of intrusions and leaks.

Our non-invasive approach to home sewer maintenance includes sewer line camera inspection and the use of enzymatic drain cleaners - a non-toxic, non-corrosive and eco-friendly method that’s safe for your home, your family and your pipes.

Members of Mother’s Pipeline enjoy an annual $300 drain cleaning coupon, free freshwater and sewer tests, and a pre-scheduled annual water heater flush. It’s a great way to set yourself up for long-term plumbing success, especially in an aging home.

Mother Modern Plumbing: Your Trusted Lakewood, TX Plumber

With a 5.0 star rating across 130+ Google Reviews and a 100% Recommend rating on Facebook, Dallas homeowners trust Mother Modern Plumbing for fast, reliable service driven by local expertise. They also trust us to offer the right solutions - not the most profitable ones.

Listen to your neighbors: here are some recent Dallas sewer line repair and replacement reviews from real Mother customers.

Need Sewer Line Repair in Your Historic Lakewood Home?

Lakewood Proper homes built in the 1920s and 1930s create a neighborhood rich with history and elegant architecture. Protect your vintage house with modern plumbing solutions in the backyard, and keep your sewer system fresh, clean and flowing the way it should.

Install new Schedule 40 PVC to protect against local East Dallas sewer risks like clay soil, flood-prone terrain and mature tree roots. Our expert team of plumbers offers 98 years of combined local experience serving Lakewood, TX homes with care and respect for their rich heritage and delicate construction.

Notice signs of sewer line damage in your Lakewood home? Call Mother 7 days a week - we’ll have a friendly, experienced plumber on site at your convenience. Let’s restore the peace of mind you deserve in your beautiful, classic home.

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