5 Basic Tips for Maintaining Your Sewer Line

Since all your home’s wastewater goes through the sewer line, when it becomes clogged or damaged, you’ve got a big problem on your hands. Fortunately, you can use these five basic tips for maintaining your sewer line and keeping problems at bay.

1. Properly Dispose of Grease

When you clean up after cooking a great meal, you might feel tempted to dump grease down the sink drain. But once it gets in your pipes, grease will cool and solidify, building up along the walls of the pipe and making the diameter smaller. Instead, dump grease into a container and throw it in the trashcan.

2. Keep Plants Away from the Line

Another basic tip for maintaining your sewer line is to keep trees and bushes away from pipes. Plants placed too close to the line can grow roots into the pipe. Over time, the roots can damage the line and you may have to pay for costly repairs.

3. Flush Only TP and Human Waste Down the Toilet

Avoid flushing anything other than human waste and toilet paper down the toilet. Hygiene products, including wipes, can clog the line because they don’t break apart easily in water. The clog can potentially cause sewage backup into your home.

4. Use the Garbage Disposal Correctly

When you turn on your garbage disposal, always run cold water. Allow only small pieces of food to go through the disposal, and don’t overload it. Once the disposal has ground up the last piece of food, turn it off and allow the water to run for an additional 30 seconds to clear the pipe.

5. Deal With Plumbing Problems Immediately

Finally, if you start having plumbing issues in your home, inspect and take care of them immediately. One of the most common signs that your sewer needs to be repaired is inefficient drainage. The sooner you call a plumber, the sooner they can clear your lines and prevent the need for larger repairs.