Your sewer line is a vital part of your plumbing system although it is often overlooked by homeowners. Many homeowners don’t appreciate that the sewer line is their responsibility until it reaches the mainline, that’s under the street. That means you’re going to have to deal with any sewer line issue, even if that entails digging up your yard.
To help look after your sewer line it’s a good idea to know what you should and shouldn’t be doing
Good Practices
There are several good practices that you need to adhere to.
- Internal Inspection
If you want to look after a sewer line then you should have it regularly inspected. In the past, it was necessary to have a professional inspect it. However, today you can find a sewer camera for sale and inspect the inside of the pipe yourself.
The camera can be guided through the sewer line, allowing you to see any blockages, whether partial or full, and whether you have any damage within the sewer pipe or else the toilet will swirl but won’t flush.
- Awareness Of Products
Toilets are designed to accommodate human waste and toilet paper. These things slide through the system, guided by water flow, and move into the main sewers. There are plenty of other items that will fit inside the toilet and can be carried into the sewer lines. But, these are likely to stick in the sewer pipe and cause a blockage.
That can be costly to resolve especially when you simply need to avoid putting these items into the toilet.
- Know Its Age
Sewage systems are generally well built and will last for years. But, all pipes have a limited life, after that, they will start to decay and potentially cause leaks and blockages. You should find out the age of your sewer line, this will help you to decide when it is likely to start encountering issues.
Practices To Avoid
There are several things that you should avoid doing to your sewer lines
- Avoid Putting Dairy Products Down Your Drain
Dairy products are generally seen to be good for you as they strengthen bones and offer a variety of minerals and nutrients. But, they are not good for your sewer line. While they won’t cause a clog, they do require a high level of oxygen. This can potentially cause problems for any aquatic life in the sewers or the resulting streams where the treated water is ejected too.
- Never Flush Wet Wipes
We’ve already mentioned the importance of being aware regarding what you are flushing down the toilet. However, it is important to reiterate this, specifically relating to wet wipes
Wipes are heavy and do not decompose. They naturally clump together and are extremely likely to block your pipes. They can even block the main sewer lines if you have enough of them in the system.
Obviously, a clog means waste water will start to feedback up into your home, creating a variety of unpleasant situations which includes ruining your heater.
Looking after your sewer line is easier than you think. All you have to do is think about your actions and how they affect others, including your sewer line.
