Prevent Sewer Line Back-Up with These Tips

Keep Your Sewer Lines Clear

Sewer lines function as a major component of your home. Whenever you flush your toilet, turn on a sink, run the dishwasher or washer machine, sewer lines prompt water from your sanitary sewer line into the city’s sewer. 

Now, just imagine the harm a clogged sewer line can do: backed up toilets, sinks, drains, and raw sewage, costly repairs, and extensive damage to your home. Sewer line clogs can turn into a living nightmare. 

Fortunately, there are ways to best avoid these problems. Keep your sewer lines clear and flowing with just a few precautions. 

What Not to Flush 

Let’s start off with perhaps the easiest solution. A great way to maintain your sewer lines involves being conscious of what goes down your drains. Items below such as grease, paper towels, and even cleaning wipes, can buildup in your drain over time and damage your sewer system. Avoid putting the following items in your drain.

Avoid Putting in Drain

• • Grease, oil, fats
• • Coffee grounds
• • Eggshells
• • Produce stickers
• • Paper towels
• • Diapers 
• • Tampons 
• • Cleaning wipes 
• • Cotton balls 
• • Latex materials
• • Household fluids
• • Medication
• • Feminine hygiene 

Check Above Ground for Plants That Have Roots

The biggest cause of a damaged sewer line results from tree roots breaking into, growing, and clogging your pipes. If you notice trees around your sanitary sewer line, we recommend getting this cleared every 2-3 years. You can do this by hiring a professional sewer line contractor to thoroughly remove any potential blockage.   

Your sanitary sewer cleanout (a 4-inch-diameter pipe with a screw cap) is most likely located outside, between your foundation and the street, or on the side of the home, closest to the bathroom. If you have trouble finding your cleanout point, check the engineered plot plan for your home. This will show you where the sewer service lines are located and can lead you to it. 

Replace Old Pipes 

Especially if you live in an older home with clay or lead pipes, it may be time to replace them. Typically, homes built in the 1960s used galvanized pipes, which are steel pipes coated with zinc to prevent rust and corrosion. Unfortunately, galvanized steel corrodes and rust over time with exposure to water. This is considered particularly bad for plumbing due to the frequency in which water travels through pipes. 

Replacing your old pipes will prevent costly repairs in the future, and withstand your pipes for years to come.

Be Proactive 

Lastly, take preventative measures to keep your sewer line in good condition. Scheduling occasional rooter cleaning can prevent your drain from having serious clogs. We recommend getting sewer line maintenance once a year, but this may depend on the age of your pipes and the frequency of clogs. 

With this in mind, if you suspect that roots may be clogging your sewer line, try using a root killing product such as Root Kill, Root Clear, or RootX. Using these products a few times a year can prevent any sewer line backups from disrupting your home’s comfort. 

Furthermore, using enzyme cleaners instead of chemical-based cleaners on your pipes can be effective. Apply drain cleaner to your pipes on a monthly basis to ensure your drains remain clean and clear. 

Maintain Your Sewer Lines With ServiceMark

At ServiceMark, we strive to get your plumbing back up and running in no time. Whether you’re in need of plumbing repair, maintenance, or installation, our team of certified experts will be there on-time and ready to restore your home’s comfort. With 24-hour service, seven days a week, and no emergency fees, we’re here when you need us.