A Quick Guide on How to Avoid Sewer Line Trouble

Often, all it takes is a bit of care to prevent costly drainage repair costs. Clogged pipes and sewer lines may not be entirely avoidable, but a bit of diligence can reduce problems tremendously.

Here are some tips to avoid sewer line trouble and reduce maintenance costs.

Proper disposal of grease

One of the leading causes of drain blockages is improper oil and grease disposal. Most homeowners mistakenly believe that oil in liquid form will flow quickly down the drain. Unfortunately, oil sticks to pipe walls. They slowly develop into solid blockages that clog the drain when they cool down.

To prevent this, never throw oil down the drain. Dispose of it with solid waste or recycle.

Using the garbage disposal properly

Although garbage disposals can grind food waste thoroughly, this isn’t true for all substances. Foods with a lot of fiber and durable items will cling to disposal blades and cause them to malfunction. Waste can also slowly accumulate in the pipe, which will cause drainage problems.

Routine drainage cleaning

Routine maintenance is an excellent way to avoid severe problems in the long run. Cleaning the drain at least once a month with a simple baking soda and vinegar mixture will prevent clogs from building up.

Many plumbing services provide non-intrusive inspections using sewer cameras to find potential leaks or breakages. Taking care of these problems at the onset will avoid subsequent repair costs.

Replacing old sewer lines

The older the sewer line, the more prone it is to problems. Expect deterioration in old pipes and seek to replace them if possible. Sewer line replacement may be an expense that a homeowner may want to avoid, but the costs of serious plumbing trouble are worse.

When dealing with old properties, get professionals to check the plumbing to see which pipes and lines need replacement. Quickly replacing aged pipes gives the homeowner more peace of mind.

Pay attention to trees near the property

Tree roots can cause enormous amounts of damage to pipes and sewer lines. In some cases, homeowners may not realize something is wrong until it’s too late. Roots will actively seek out water sources, and any leak in the pipes may become a target. Tree roots are also quite resilient, and even rocks and concrete are no match for them.

Pay attention to trees on the property, especially those close to sewer lines and piping. If a blockage seems to be occurring without apparent reason, nearby trees may be the culprit.

Hire expert plumbers

Hiring professional plumbing services is the best option if the sewer pipes run into problems. Going DIY might be tempting, but mistakes can be costly and might make the situation worse. Getting drain cleaning and sewer experts to do the job will avoid future problems.

Solace Plumbing is a licensed commercial and residential plumber with 26 years of experience in Gilbert, Az. We provide the East Valley with a wide range of plumbing services, including 24-hour emergency service. Some of our specialties include plumbing installation and repair, remodeling, natural gas and propane piping, slab leak detection, and full-service repiping. Commercial work includes restaurants, school districts, and tenant improvements.