Identify Tree Roots as a Major Cause
Roots of trees are one of the leading causes of sewer line clogs as they seek out moisture and nutrients for growth. Their roots can easily find their way through tiny cracks in pipes to the sewer system, where they can cause havoc. Trees and roots are one of the sewer line cleaning hazards that you can face. This is how it becomes a problem:
- Over time, tangled roots can build up and cause blockages in your sewer line, leading to leakage issues or worse.
- If you notice pools of standing water in your yard or toilets gurgling noisily in your home, these could be indicators that root systems have entered.
- At home, reducing the risk of tree root invasion is possible by maintaining an appropriate distance between trees and your sewer line.
- Foaming drain cleaner or copper sulfate are effective solutions that may kill existing roots while stopping future ones from emerging.
However, for maximum effectiveness, it may be wiser to hire professional help to remove them as soon as they appear—potentially dangerous situations await when waiting too long!
Prevent Grease Buildup in Drain Lines
Clogs in your main sewer lines can cause disgusting sewage to overflow into your drains and ruin your plumbing, potentially posing serious health risks for both yourself and others. However, these blockages can often be prevented with some basic care and upkeep.
Grease buildup is one of the main culprits behind clogged sewer lines. Once grease enters your drain line, it may begin as liquid, but once it cools, it can adhere to pipes and cause blockages in your lines. To reduce this problem, you should avoid pouring grease down your drains—instead, store it separately until disposal time. Moreover, you should learn about how often you should clean your sewer lines.
Non-biodegradable human waste, such as diapers, sanitary products, and paper towels, should never be flushed down the toilet. Installing a garbage disposal may help dispose of these items easily instead. Inspecting your sewer line regularly for signs of damage can also help ensure smooth functioning; doing this could prevent costly repairs or clogs later on.
Watch for Foreign Objects in Sewer Pipes
Most homeowners list professional services, including electricians, HVAC technicians, and plumbers. When all drains in a home are slowing, this could indicate a major sewer drain clog in the sewer line, which can cause the following damages:
- You can get back into your house with dangerous, filthy sewage.
- Potentially destroying flooring and walls.
- Leading to costly repair bills unless proper measures are taken immediately.
- Preventive measures could save you an expensive repair bill!
Clogged drains can often be caused by flushing non-biodegradable items down toilets, including toys, paper towels, and children’s toys that do not biodegrade easily. Drain screens installed in showers and kitchens may help decrease the chances of foreign objects blocking drains.
Fats, oils, and grease poured down the drain can lead to blockages as these substances coat the insides of pipes, hardening when cool to block off passageways. Grease should be collected for disposal in containers or the trash instead. Aged pipes may also contribute to sewer line clogs by breaking down or cracking over time and creating spaces where roots can enter through small openings.
Inspect for Shifting Soil
An obstruction in the main sewer line can be an extreme inconvenience. It prevents wastewater from draining away, forcing toilets to flush slowly and sinks to become blocked with waste. While slow drains can usually be cleared with a plunger or plumbing snake, mainline obstructions require professional attention to be resolved permanently.
- Main sewer line clogs typically result from the accumulation of waste materials and debris, including hair, soap scum, toilet paper, foreign objects, and grease.
- Over time, a build-up of such items may clog an entire pipeline, leading to costly backups in your home and costly drain clean-up efforts.
- Though some causes of main sewer line clogs may be difficult to avoid, there are steps you can take to reduce risk.
These include using mesh drain covers on kitchen sink waste to limit its accumulation, properly disposing of grease, and not flushing items that cannot biodegrade, such as diapers, feminine hygiene products, and coffee grounds, down the toilet. Regular inspections will also help identify potential issues before they become more serious.
Check for The Pipe Misalignment
All drain lines within your home connect to a main sewer line, this is why cleaning the sewer line is important. When this important pipe becomes clogged, wastewater may flow backward into fixtures throughout your home, causing serious damage. Therefore, it is crucial that you monitor drains regularly and take preventive steps against main sewer line blockages.
As with a clogged sewer line, improper waste disposal is the leading cause. Only pour water, food scraps, and toilet paper into your drains; any other items, such as paper towels, baby/toilet wipes, and sanitary products, should always be put in a garbage can or catch. Furthermore, installing drain catches in your home to help stop non-biodegradable items from entering your pipes would also be wise.
Conclusion
Various factors contribute to main sewer line clogs in a home, including tree root intrusion, mineral and scale buildup, flushing non-biodegradable items down toilets, misalignment, or sagging sewer line. By adhering to proper waste disposal practices, teaching household members the correct flushing techniques, and keeping an eye out for shifting soil in your yard, you can reduce the chances of main sewer clogs in your home.
Best Sewer Lines Maintenance at Tommie’s Plumbing
At Tommie’s Plumbing, we understand that sewer line issues can disrupt your home and daily life. If you’re experiencing slow drainage gurgling sounds or suspect a frozen or damaged sewer line, don’t wait until the problem worsens.
With our expertise and dedication to quality service, we offer various services, including water heater installation, tankless water heaters, sewer and drain cleaning, assistance with high water bills, and fixing high water pressure issues.
Don’t compromise on comfort and safety—contact Tommie’s Plumbing today for reliable solutions tailored to your needs.
