How to Prevent Sewer Clogs and Leaks
A sewer has to work perfectly to keep families safe from biohazards and prevent nasty messes. A sewer will work fine for years until something goes wrong. When that happens, the family may be exposed to human waste or have to deal with a sewage backup resulting from a serious clog. Understanding what causes sewer clogs and leaks can help homeowners know how to prevent them and deal with them when they arise. Here are a few tips to help minimize the trouble that sewer lines can cause around the home.
Signs of Clogs and How to Stop Them
Sewer clogs can cause major headaches. When sewage isn’t able to flow away from the home, it can cause several problems. Luckily, most sewer clogs give some signs that they are forming to allow homeowners to take action before the worst-case scenario occurs. Some of these signs include:
- Sewer gasses leaking into the home
- Slow flushing
- Slow, noisy draining
- Water backing up into tubs
- Sewage flowing out of floor drains
If any of these signs are noticed, homeowners should call an expert immediately for sewer and drain cleaning to prevent a major backup.
While dealing with a backup or foul odors in the home isn’t great, most people are empowered to know that most sewer clogs are preventable when everyone at home is practicing good plumbing habits. To prevent clogs, encourage people in the home to:
- Keep food waste out of the sewer and drains, especially grease and vegetable peels
- Discard towels, hygiene products, and beauty products in the trash
- Only flush waste and toilet tissue
- Encourage multiple flushes so the toilet only has to deal with several small loads
Dealing with Sewer Leaks
Sewer line leaks and freshwater piping leaks are similar because they involve water leaking out of pipes. However, the major difference with sewer leaks is that the water isn’t pressurized. Instead of spewing out noticeably, it can seep out so slowly that people won’t notice until the damage is extensive. Some of the signs to look out for if a homeowner suspects a sewer line leak are:
- Foul odors near the sewer main
- Water seeping from around the slab
- Lush vegetation on the lawn
- Mold problems
- Insect infestations, especially by moisture-loving species
When these signs are noticed, plumbers can be called for sewer video inspection to pinpoint the leak so repairs can be done quickly and precisely.
Professional Sewer Line Maintenance
The easiest way to prevent sewer clogs and leaks is to ensure they don’t happen. Spotting the signs can help, and changing habits can eliminate much of the risk, but professional plumbing maintenance is integral to preventing sewer problems.
Most plumbers offer sewer line maintenance. During a visit, plumbers inspect visible piping, look for problems, and clean the drain and sewer line. By allowing a professional to monitor the pipes year after year, the chances of sewer problems plummet.
About Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service
Bud's Plumbing & Repair Service has offered fast plumbing solutions for over 100 years. Their teams take pride in their ability to provide hassle-free scheduling and aim for the highest levels of communication to make jobs easier for the homeowner. Call today for sewer line repairs and replacement services in Evansville, IN.
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Mistake #3: Not Hiring a Professional Plumber)
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