How to Prevent Clogged Sewer Lines

The sewer line is a very important aspect of your plumbing: it is responsible for disposing all of your wastewater. Sewer lines can be precarious because if you are not careful, then they can easily become clogged. However, there are many preventive measures that you can implement to ensure that your sewer line will never experience any buildup or major obstructions.

Here are some tips that we recommend:

If your kitchen sink doesn’t contain a garbage disposal, then do not allow any food scraps to go down the drain. You should install a drain strainer in your sink to prevent any food items from entering your drain. You also don’t want to pour any grease down your drain. This is because it will cling to the inside of the pipes in your sewer line, creating buildup which will then lead to clogging. The proper way to dispose of grease is to pour it into a sealed container or a trash can.

We strongly recommend that you pour a kettle of hot water into your drain at least once a weak. This will melt away any grease or buildup collecting inside your sewer line. Pour the water slowly to avoid any splashing. If you are experiencing any clogs, then we recommend that you hire a professional to inspect your sewer line to determine the severity of the issue.

Even with a garbage disposal installed in your kitchen sink, there are foods that you should avoid putting inside it. This is because certain food items are dense and/or sticky, which makes it a lot more difficult to crush them up. Some of the common culprits include banana peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, and potato skins. You should also always run a steady stream of cold water while you are using your garbage disposal. The water flow will carry the waste material through your sewer line a lot quicker.

In your shower drain, clean the stopper as often as you can. This is because hair, soap scum, and other waste materials can collect inside it and make it a lot more difficult for your shower to drain properly. Also, never flush paper products other than toilet paper down the toilet. This includes flushable wipes. The material will likely not disintegrate and it will clog your sewer line. Excess paper in your plumbing system will overwhelm it, and this can also cause severe damage.

You should always bathe your pets outside, weather permitting. This is because your pets tend to shed a lot of hair which will inevitably end up in your drain. If you need to bathe your pets inside your home, then consider purchasing a washtub that is separate from your shower and/or bathtub. You can also lay a washcloth over the drain in your shower while bathing your pets, which will catch any excess hair that you can dispose of later on.

This will require you to obtain a compost bin where you can throw away any waste material that you would otherwise allow to enter your drainage system. This will help you save money and energy, in addition to preventing any major clogging.

If you want to remove any minor clogs in your sewer line, make sure to use an enzyme cleaner, but we recommend that use it only once a month. Enzyme cleaners are an ideal choice because they are better for your pipes and the environment overall. A chemical-based alternative can corrode and destroy your sewer line.

If you have a septic tank, then you should hire a professional to inspect it every 2 to 3 years. Different regions throughout the United States even require you to perform inspections routinely. You should also have a professional pump your septic tank on a regular basis.

You should also never dump paint or paint thinner down your drain. This is a big no-no!

These are simple measures you can follow to avoid any major catastrophes in your sewer line. You should always have a proactive approach towards proper sewer line maintenance so that you can keep your system free of any clogs or obstructions. If you are experiencing any major issues, then you should always call a licensed professional to inspect your sewer line. The last thing that you want to do is allow things to get out of hand. If you have any questions, you can always give us a call and speak with one of our team members.