What a belly is

Gravity moves everything in a sewer lateral, so the pipe has to fall continuously from the house to the street. A belly is a stretch that has dropped below that line, so it dips and then rises again. Water sits in the dip after every flush, and solids settle out of it.

Bellies usually come from the ground, not the pipe. Soil that was not compacted well when the line was laid, a washout from a leak, or settling after nearby digging can all let a section sink. In older clay lines the joints at either end of a belly are often offset as well, which adds a lip for waste to catch on.

Signs of a belly

  • The line clogs at roughly the same distance from the cleanout each time
  • Clearing works for a short while and then slows again
  • The camera shows water standing in the pipe with no blockage in front of it
  • The camera lens goes underwater partway along the run
  • Toilet paper or grease builds up in one stretch

An example of how it plays out

Illustrative example. Not a real job or customer.

A homeowner has the main line cleared three times in a year. Each time the drains work for a few weeks and then the shower starts to back up again.

  1. After the third clearing, a camera is run while the line is still clean.
  2. About halfway to the street the camera dips into standing water for several feet.
  3. The locator marks the start and end of the low section and its depth.
  4. The plumber explains that clearing removes the buildup but cannot change the slope.

The homeowner chooses to have that section excavated and re-laid at proper slope rather than keep paying for periodic clearing. A camera run afterward shows no standing water.

Living with it versus fixing it

Maintenance clearing

  • Lower cost each visit
  • No digging
  • Problem returns on a cycle
  • Backups remain possible between visits

Re-laying the section

  • Fixes the cause
  • Requires excavation at the low spot
  • New bedding supports the pipe
  • Permit and inspection may apply; check with the city

Questions to ask about a belly

  1. How long is the low section and how much water stands in it?
  2. Is the pipe at either end offset or cracked as well?
  3. What will be used for bedding so the new section does not settle again?
  4. Is a small belly something you would leave alone, and why?

Common questions

Are all bellies a problem?

A shallow dip holding a little water may cause no trouble for years. A belly that keeps clogging, or one deep enough to submerge the camera, usually needs attention.

Can pipe bursting fix a belly?

Pipe bursting tends to follow the old path, so it may not correct a low spot. Ask how the method handles grade.

What causes the ground to sink?

Poor original compaction, water leaking from the pipe and washing out soil, and disturbance from later digging are common causes.

General information for La Habra, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.