Sewer line backups can create some serious headaches for your household. Fortunately, they can usually be prevented as long as your sewer line is in good condition. Here’s what you can do to protect your home from costly and potentially dangerous sewer backups.
Be Careful About What Goes Down Your Drains
Homeowners often cause sewer line backups simply by putting the wrong materials down their drains. For example, cooking grease poured down a kitchen sink can solidify in your drain or sewer line, creating a blockage that isn’t easy to remove. Instead of pouring grease down the drain, pour it into a heat-resistant container, such as a glass jar, and dispose of it once it cools off. Starchy foods such as rice and pasta should also be thrown in the trash instead of your kitchen sink. They expand and create blockages when they absorb water.
Be Careful What You Flush
People tend to think of their toilets as all-purpose garbage disposals. They flush things such as feminine hygiene products, paper towels, and wet wipes. The only things that should ever be flushed are human waste and toilet paper; everything else belongs in the trash. Flushing too many of the wrong things will clog your sewer line and cause it to back up.
Have Tree Roots Cut
Tree roots often invade sewer lines, especially older lines that are already falling apart. Invasive tree roots can easily create blockages and backups in your sewer line. In extreme cases, you might even see tree roots growing into your home’s plumbing. A plumber might be able to remove invasive tree roots, but it’s always best to stop the problem before it begins. If you have large trees on your property, hire a tree care specialist to look at their roots and trim them back if they’re growing too close to your sewer line.
Replace Your Aging or Damaged Sewer Line
Sewer lines can last for decades, but they will eventually show signs of wear and tear. At the very least, you could be dealing with a leak somewhere in the pipeline. At worst, the line could collapse.
The best way to deal with this problem is to replace the damaged sewer line. This can be done very easily with trenchless sewer line repair and replacement. Many projects can be completed in less than two days, and the results will last for decades. You’ll still need to be careful of what you flush or pour down your drains, but you’ll be less likely to have problems with leaks and other kinds of damage.
To learn more about how you can prevent backups and other sewer line issues, contact NexGen Plumbing & Drains in Levittown, PA today.
