Your home's sewer system is vital to the overall health of your home. Without a properly functioning sewer system, your home can quickly become unhealthy and dangerous. Therefore, you should take care of it to ensure it runs smoothly.
Here are seven tips for you to maintain your home's sewer system:
Be Mindful of What You Flush Down the Drains
Your sewer system is designed to handle biodegradable materials, such as human waste and toilet paper. Therefore, you should not flush things down the toilet that can clog or damage the system. These items include feminine hygiene products, condoms, paper towels, and cotton balls.
Even if the product label indicates that it's flushable, it doesn't mean it's good for your sewer system. On the contrary, these items can clog your sewer lines and lead to costly repairs.
Dispose of Grease and Waste Properly
Grease, fat, and oil can solidify your sewer pipes and cause clogs. When cooking, pour used grease and oil into a can or jar and dispose of it in the trash. Don't pour it down the drain.
Food waste can also cause clogs. To avoid this, put medium and large food scraps into the trash can instead of down the garbage disposal.
Inspect Your Home's Sewer System Regularly
Check for leaks, cracks, or blockages in the sewer lines, and ensure that all drains are draining properly. A simple way to do this is to flush all the toilets in your home and check to see if any water backs up into the tub or shower. You may have a clog or blockage in your sewer line if it does.
Address Sewer Issues Quickly
Ignoring sewer issues can lead to serious problems, including water damage, mold growth, and health hazards. In addition, sewer repairs can be costly, so you should address any problems early.
Part of addressing sewer issues includes unclogging clogged drains. The plunger, plumbing snake, and hydro-jet are the best tools to use when unclogging your drain.
The plunger is an effective tool for unclogging drains. It works by using air pressure to push the clog through the pipe. A plumbing snake is a long, flexible piece of metal that is inserted into the drain to remove the clog. The hydro-jet is a high-pressure water hose inserted into the drain to remove the clog forcefully.
Get Your Sewer Lines Cleaned Regularly
You should clean your sewer lines frequently to remove any built-up grease, fat, or oil that could cause clogs. This action will also remove any debris that may have accumulated in the line.
Sewer line cleaning is typically done by a professional, usually covered by homeowners insurance. You should generally have your home's sewer lines cleaned every 18 to 22 months.
Tend to Your Tree Roots
Tree roots can grow into sewer lines and cause blockages. You must remember to tend to your tree roots to prevent this. Regularly trim back any roots that are growing into or near sewer lines.
Know When to Get Help
If you have sewer problems that you can't solve on your own or notice serious issues, you should call a professional. A qualified plumber will be able to diagnose the problem and make necessary repairs.
Sewer problems can quickly turn into expensive repairs, so it's best to leave them to professionals.
Your home's sewer system is vital to your daily life, and it's important to take care of it. By following these seven tips, you can maintain your home's sewer system and keep it running smoothly.
If you have problems with your sewer system or need help maintaining it, look no further than Aurora Plumbing and Electric Supply, Inc. We have a showroom, parts, and service department. We're here to help you keep your sewer system running smoothly. So don't wait; call us today to schedule a consultation.
