Sewer line issues boil down to one problem: raw sewage can’t easily flow down the sewer line into your municipal sewer system or septic tank. This can cause issues such as sewage backing up into your home or contaminating the groundwater. The good news is that a well-constructed and installed sewer line can last a long time, and the steps you can take to keep it sound are simple and easy. Here are some of them.
Only Flush Toilet Paper
Flushing only toilet paper down your toilet bowl can’t be stressed enough. Toilet paper is made to disintegrate when it hits your septic tank or sewer system. Other types of paper, even facial tissue, are not.
Put Everything Else in the Garbage
Strive to keep fats, oils and grease out of your drain where they can cause tough clogs. Recycle excess cooking oil, or pour old oils and grease into an old styrofoam cup or empty pint container, and put them in the trash. Use drain strainers to catch hair and bits of food. Toss this debris in the garbage can as well.
Regular Maintenance
Another way to prevent sewer line problems is to have your plumbing system checked once a year by a professional plumber. Plumbers use video cameras to check your drain pipes. Some even use what amounts to stethoscopes to check for leaks beneath the floor or behind the walls. If they find problems, they can fix them before they become large, messy and expensive.
Use Gentle Cleansers
Even with proper maintenance and care, your drains might develop clogs now and then. It’s tempting to use harsh, lye-based chemicals to remove them, since they work quickly. However, these harsh chemicals can damage your drain pipes over time, sometimes to the point where they’ll need to be replaced well before their normal lifespan. Plumbers recommend gentler cleansers that use enzymes to break down clogs. They may take longer to work, but they’re good for your pipes.
Also, remember that a paste of vinegar and baking soda washed down with hot water often works surprisingly well to get rid of clogs. Don’t use boiling water, as boiling water can hurt some types of drain pipes.
Don’t Plant Trees Close to Your Sewer Line
Your sewer line leaves your home as it transports waste, and it most likely goes through your yard. Don’t plant trees near your sewer line, as their feeder roots might infiltrate the pipe in their quest for nutrients. If there are already trees in the area that you don’t want to cut down, you can have an arborist inject root inhibitors to keep the trees’ roots out of your sewer pipe.
A sound sewer line helps make living in your house pleasurable and safe. If you live in Yuma, AZ or a surrounding area and need sewer line services, make your first call to PHD Plumbing.