How Often Should You Clean Your Home Sewer Lines?

4/21/2022 (Permalink)

You most certainly do not want to get your home sewage system choked but little do homeowners know that they need to clean home sewer lines more often than they might have expected. Many of us do not notice any issues with our sewer until it is too late. This may then result in some pretty catastrophic problems for your home. The following guide will provide you with the right gauge on the number of times you need to have your sewer lines cleaned.

Cleaning Home Sewer Lines

Your sewer lines are out of sight and this makes them pretty insignificant to be etched on your mind for the most part. You want to avoid any issues with your sewer lines as they can get quite costly. By knowing how often you need to have them cleaned can help you avoid costly damages. A good general rule of thumb is to have your home sewer lines cleaned out at least every 18 to 22 months. This may not be a schedule that is easy for you to remember but just think of it as a period between a year and a half to two years. Bear in mind that this is just a general rule of thumb and every property differs in its sewer line cleaning needs. If you are experiencing certain issues like the following, it is best to have your sewer lines cleaned as soon as possible:

• Water pooling in the basement around the floor drain
• Sewage backup in bathtub, toilet, or drain
• Drains working too slowly
• Odors coming from sewers
• Frequently clogged drains
• Pipes making gurgling sounds
• Water backing up into shower or bathtub when the washing machine is in use

Causes of Clogged Sewer Lines

There are three main cases of clogged sewer lines and they include roots, grease, and bellied piping. Try not to pour grease down the drain because it will eventually solidify and clog up sewer pipes. Roots from trees or even shrubs can penetrate through pipes and this can cause sewer back-ups. You can try planting your trees and shrubs further away from your home sewer lines. A sagging pipe or bellied pipe usually takes place as a result of loose soil that can be found around it. If you have a garden or patch, review the soil around the area from time to time where you think your sewer lines may be located at.

Importance of Sewer Line Cleanup

Sewer lines transport waste water from your kitchen and bathroom to underground sewer mains. If they get blocked or clogged up, wastewater will leak into your property, thus causing property and water damage. Clogged sewer lines might be unseen but the problem is often much bigger than it really is. If the problem goes untreated, you may need to anticipate even more extensive damage both inside and outside of your property.