Sewer line problems are among the most expensive and disruptive issues a homeowner can face — not just because of the repair costs but because of the structural damage, health risks, and plumbing downtime that come with a system that’s been allowed to deteriorate too far. What makes it particularly frustrating is that most sewer line failures don’t happen suddenly. They develop gradually from small problems that go unaddressed simply because the sewer line is buried underground and out of sight.
Out of sight tends to mean out of mind — and that’s exactly how a manageable issue becomes a serious one. By the time most homeowners discover a sewer problem it has already progressed to a stage where the damage is done, and the repair bill reflects it. The good news is that most sewer line issues are entirely preventable with the right habits and a little awareness of what your system needs. Small adjustments to how you use and maintain your sewer line make a bigger difference than most people realize — and they cost far less than the repairs they prevent.
4 tips for preventing sewer line issues
These four tips will help you avoid disruptive and costly sewer line problems in your home.
Don’t use the sink as a trash can
It is vital to limit the amount of food that gets into your drain. Small amounts of food waste that find their way into your drains will not hurt your sewer line. However, some food waste should never enter your drains. That includes coffee grounds, eggshells, starchy foods (rice, mashed potato, potato peels, pasta, and flour), and stringy veggies (celery, etc).
Don’t dump grease, oils, and fats into your drains
It is hard to find a convenient way to get rid of used grease. Sometimes, the easiest way is to dump it into the sink. That is a mistake. Although soft and runny in your warm kitchen, FOG (fats, oils, and grease) solidifies inside the sewer line. They can interact with soap and other contents of the sewer line to form hard, insoluble masses (fatbergs) that block the sewer line. Fatbergs pose a danger to your sewer lines and can also damage the municipal sewer system.
Don’t dispose of non-biodegradable items in the toilet
Even if their labeling says “flushable,” avoid trashing non-biodegradable items (paper towels, sanitary products, diapers, wipes, dental floss, etc.) in your toilet. Major flooding in homes and cities is often caused by balls of so-called flushable materials inside the sewer system. Nothing but water, toilet paper, and human waste should ever enter your toilet.
Avoid chemical drain cleaners
Chemical drain cleaners are cheap, quick, and easy to use. But you pay for that low price and convenience with the high cost and inconvenience of the problems it will cause in your sewer line. Chemical drain cleaners use intense heat as their primary method for removing blockages from a clogged pipe. This process damages the sewer line. The chemicals also linger inside your sewer line, slowly weakening and corroding the pipes.
4 proactive maintenance tips for preventing sewer line issues
With these four tips, you can stay ahead of problems in your sewer line
Regularly inspect your sewer line
Regular sewer line camera inspections help you detect problems at their early stages before they get the chance to hurt your plumbing and wallet. These inspections are in two forms: monthly surface-level inspections by the homeowner and in-depth yearly inspections by a professional plumber. Having a professional plumber inspect your sewer line via a camera is not a cost but an investment in the function and longevity of your sewer line.
Maintain your sewer line with annual cleaning
In addition to inspecting the sewer line yearly, you want to have it professionally cleaned. Instead of waiting until your sewer line is blocked before you clean it, you should clean the sewer line to keep it from becoming blocked. You may do this either by hydro jetting the sewer line or via a second method known as sewer rodding. Rodding or jetting your sewer line once a year will help it perform optimally.
Remove nearby tree roots
Trees and shrubs root threaten your sewer line. They can penetrate the line or cause it to shift out of position. If there are roots near the location of your sewer line, you may want to remove the tree roots or the entire tree. A permanent way to fix this problem without cutting down your trees is to install tree root barriers.
Know the signs of problems in your sewer system
Sewer line problems in your home rarely happen without some telltale sign. If you know how to pick up on these signs, you can stop the problems before they cause a plumbing emergency in your home. Ask your plumber to explain the signs of an imminent sewer line problem in your home.
Finally, to keep your sewer line in top shape every time, you need the expertise of a reliable and experienced plumber. Ideally, you want a plumber who offers professional drain cleaning services with sewer camera inspection, hydro jetting, and sewer rodding as some available options.
