The Problem With Old Sewer Pipes in University Park, TX

Over the last 5 years, we’ve noticed an annual increase in sewer repair calls from homeowners near SMU. Our plumbers discover corroded cast iron pipes, cracked clay sewer lines and heavy internal scaling. 

We gave our research team a mission: discover the causes behind increased sewer line issues in University Park. Then, our Master Plumbers crafted a 4-step checklist for local homeowners to resolve their nagging plumbing issues with long-term solutions.

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 University Park, call us 7 days a week for prompt scheduling and friendly, expert service.

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University Park Homes Are Getting Older

The average University Park home is roughly 40 years old, but that doesn’t tell the true story of the neighborhood. 

An infusion of new construction offsets the fact that many existing homes in 5 neighborhoods are between 90 and 110 years old:

• SMU area: The homes around Southern Methodist University are some of the oldest and most revered houses in all of Dallas. Home construction began here in 1914.
• Loma Linda (1920s and 1930s)
• Windsor Place (1920s and 1930s)
• Idlewild (1930s)
• Stratford Manor (1930s and 1940s)

The local Georgian, Spanish Colonial and Mediterranean homes establish University Park as a backbone of history, tradition and fine architecture in Dallas.

Local sewer lines are quickly becoming obsolete

As University Park, TX homes age, so do their sewer systems. Existing clay and cast iron sewer pipes exist by the thousands underneath local houses, and they’re all nearing the end of their life expectancy.

The average Texas homeowner replaces their sewer pipes once every 50-75 years. That means most area homes built in the 1920s have only had their sewer systems replaced once. 

In University Park — a densely populated urban neighborhood that sits on a bed of clay soil — this makes service calls for sewer line repair and leak detection more common than other cities in the area.

4 Big Sewer Line Problems in University Park, TX

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

1. Aging infrastructure and corrosion of outdated cast iron and clay pipes
2. High water demand due to local population density
3. Expansive clay soil that places stress on sewer lines
4. Root intrusions from bald cypress, 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 University Park

If your University Park sewer system was installed before 1980, it’s outdated or nearing the end of its life expectancy.

Before 1980, most sewer pipes in the neighborhood were made of cast iron or clay. (We don’t see Orangeburg pipes in University Park, which is a good thing.)

Here’s why plumbers in Dallas don’t use these materials anymore:

• Cast iron pipes are heavy and don’t withstand the chemicals in your wastewater. They easily corrode and degrade, and suffer long-term cracks and separations due to groundwater and clay soil expansion.
• Clay pipes perform well against wastewater chemicals, but poorly against external forces like soil, groundwater and root intrusions. Over time, they’re easily cracked and penetrated, and frequently suffer joint leakage.

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

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Sewer pipe corrosion in University Park

A majority of older sewer pipes in University Park are made from cast iron materials. As cast iron ages, it’s highly prone to corrosion due to its poor resistance against groundwater, internal sewage, and the chemicals contained in wastewater.

Cast iron pipe corrosion presents a host of problems, especially in older area homes:

• Structural weakening and pipe separation
• Wastewater and sewage leaks
• Pooled water and flooding in your backyard
• Slab leak cracks and leaks
• Pest infestation in your sewer pipe
• Foul odor in your backyard
• Unusually lush green, soggy patches of grass
• Clogged drains
• Sewage backup into your home drains

High population density creates low water pressure

There are nearly 7,000 residents per square mile in the University Park section of Dallas. This high population density drives heavy water demand into small areas, creating low water pressure issues for homeowners.

These issues primarily affect your water line and delivery — locals often complain about weak showers, insufficient dishwasher performance and inefficient hot water delivery from their water heater.

However, low water pressure in your sewer line can create unpleasant backflow. In these occasions, a drop of pressure in the main water supply creates a vacuum effect that sucks contaminated water back from a cross-connection point. 

The result: contaminated water (even wastewater) can end up in your home.

Shifting clay soil strains University Park sewer lines

North Texas sits on a bed of clay-rich soil. A major drawback of clay soil is its inability to drain water efficiently. This is why your lawn swells and puddles after it rains, and why it cracks and dries so severely in summer heat.

This effect is heightened in urban neighborhoods, where large populations and lots of buildings leave less space for groundwater to drain. 

Much of the stress of groundwater in clay soil is felt by buried utility lines and plumbing lines. As your backyard shifts, swells and cracks, your sewer pipes are placed under constant direct pressure. 

Older cast iron and clay pipe systems are unequipped to handle this stress.

Mature tree root intrusions

University Park offers a wider variety of beautiful mature trees than most neighborhoods in Dallas. These trees heighten the aesthetic appeal of the city, but also provide challenges underneath the surface of your yard.

Bald cypress trees are a unique staple of University Park’s local ecosystem. While they don’t have aggressive root systems, their roots are extremely complex, widespread and shallow. They wreak havoc on buried utility and plumbing lines, and are a common source of cracks and penetrations in local sewer lines.

Live oak, Cedar elm and Red elm trees are known for their intrusive root systems. They actively seek out the organic nutrients in your sewer line. As pipe materials age, it’s easier for these roots to penetrate your pipes and create leaks and blockages.

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How to Protect Your University Park Home’s Sewer System

A neighborhood as historic and lovely as University Park deserves the infrastructure to match. We asked our Master Plumbers to craft a sewer line management plan that’s easy for local homeowners to implement and schedule.

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 University Park, 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

“Unless you have new Schedule 40 PVC, you definitely need to have your pipes inspected more frequently,” says Mother’s Master Plumber Steven Smith. 

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. In University Park, this includes drain cleaning and sewer cleaning services.

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.

Hydro jetting is the best method for most sewer cleaning needs due to its non-invasive nature, powerful pressurized water and ability to remove scale and sludge.

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.

Need Residential Sewer Line Repair in University Park?

As homes in the University Park section of Dallas age, their sewer systems require a fresh start. Be sure to inspect older lines with non-invasive sewer line camera appointments, and conduct regular drain and sewer cleaning to keep older pipes clear.

When you’re ready to update your pipes, switch to Schedule 40 PVC. It’s the most durable, trusted sewer pipe material available, and you’ll reset the life expectancy of your plumbing for another 75-100 years.

Are there warning signs of sewer line damage in your University Park home? Call Mother 7 days a week - our team uses nearly 100 years of Dallas plumbing expertise to provide insightful, long-term solutions that set you up for decades of stress-free sewer lines.

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