Problems in your sewer lines can be devastating. Their placement underground makes repairs difficult and costly. However, there are many things you can do to prevent these issues. Keep your sewer lines clear and flowing to avoid messy backups, expensive repairs, and smelly problems.
Be Careful What You Flush
The first line of defense against sewer line issues is paying attention to what you flush. This goes for the toilet, sink, tub, and any other drains in your house.
Toilet paper and human waste are the only things suitable for flushing down the toilet. Never flush wipes, feminine products, or paper towels. These items do not dissolve quickly enough to avoid clogs in your drainage system.
Protect Your Drains
Keep hair out of the drains with a mesh strainer or other device. Hair is the number-one culprit for clogged bathroom drains. As hair goes down the drain, it wraps around and balls up, creating a blockage that traps other debris and may eventually form a clog.
Keep your kitchen drains clean and healthy with a garbage disposal. Only put suitable food items down the drain when you have a disposal installed. Never put hot grease or oil in the drain. Avoid washing bones and starchy foods down the sink.
Watch the Tree Roots
Tree roots continue to grow underground as your trees age. These roots may grow large and spread far from where the trees stand. Make sure your tree roots are not interrupting your sewer lines by pushing against them or wrapping around them. Do not plant new trees near your sewer lines and make sure the roots from established trees do not spread close to the lines. If you are experiencing sewer line problems, don’t forget to check the tree roots underground.
Regular Drain Cleaning
Professional drain cleaning helps clear the buildup and debris from your drainage pipes that lead to the sewer. Schedule drain cleaning once a year to blast away this buildup, preventing it from forming into clogs in your pipes.
A professional plumber performs drain cleaning using high-pressure water. This water washes away the debris that sticks inside your drains and clears your pipes of unhealthy toxins such as mold, mildew, and bacteria.
Competent plumbers work hard to help customers keep their sewer lines intact and functioning. Although they are available for repairs, conscientious professionals would prefer to help you prevent the mess in the first place. Undoubtedly, you would too. Just follow these few simple tips to keep everything flowing properly. And when you do require a skilled plumber for any of your sewer line needs, give us a call at Lesco Plumbing, Heating & Cooling in Caldwell, NJ to enlist our aid.
