If you ever think about what happens after you flush the toilet or send water down the drain, you may be interested to know that there’s a whole network of pipes underground that takes wastewater away from your house. Let’s explore how those pipes, called sewer lines, are put in place when a new house is built.
Planning the Route: It All Starts With a Map
Before any digging starts, the builders need a plan. They look at the house plans and figure out where all the sinks, toilets, and showers will be. Then, they carefully map out the best path for the sewer lines to connect to the main sewer line in the street. This is kind of like drawing a maze for the wastewater to flow through. They must make sure the pipes slope downward just enough to make everything flow smoothly.
Digging the Trenches and Making Way for the Pipes
Once the plan is ready, it’s time to dig. Big machines with giant scoops come in and dig trenches in the ground. These trenches need to be deep enough to protect the pipes from damage and freezing temperatures. That’s why so much care is taken during this process.
Laying the Pipes and Connecting the Pieces
Now comes the fun part — putting the pipes in place. The sewer lines are usually made of a strong material called polyvinyl chloride (PVC). They come in long sections that fit together like puzzle pieces. The workers carefully lay the pipes in the trenches, making sure to connect them tightly so that there are no leaks.
Connecting to the Main Line and Joining the Network
The last step is to connect the sewer line from the house to the main sewer line in the street. This is an important step because it allows all the wastewater to flow away from your house and to the treatment plant. Think of it like merging onto a highway: Your wastewater joins the flow of all the other houses in the neighborhood.
Inspecting and Backfilling: Making Sure It Works
After the pipes are all connected, an inspector comes to check everything out. They want to make sure the pipes are installed correctly and that there are no leaks. Once everything gets the thumbs up, the trenches are filled back in with dirt. And that’s it. You’ve got a working sewer system, ready to take away all that icky stuff you don’t want to think about.
To keep sewer lines in top shape, have them inspected once a year. This way, a professional plumber can find and fix minor issues before they become major problems. If you have not had the sewer line inspected for your Benicia, CA home this year, get in touch with our experts at Benicia Plumbing, and schedule sewer services now.
