Essential Sewer Line Maintenance Tips

A damaged or clogged up sewer line can be a disaster. Not only is this serious plumbing issue messy, smelly, and downright dangerous, but it can be quite costly to repair or replace. Here at Reliable Plumbing, Heating, and Drain Cleaning we understand the headaches caused by clogged and damaged sewer lines.

Our experts are here for you whether you need emergency sewer line repair or routine drain cleaning and inspection. The good news is, you can do your part to help keep your sewer line running smoothly. Here are some essential tips for sewer and drain maintenance.

Practice Routine Drain Cleaning

You can help keep pipes and sewer lines working properly by simply pouring boiling water down drains once a week. Pouring a mixture of vinegar and baking soda down drains once a month will also help dissolve buildups of hair, soap, grease, and food particles.

Watch What You Flush

We often take the easy way out and may flush things that shouldn’t be flushed, like tissues, cotton balls, sanitary products, and even food. This practice should be avoided at all costs. Toilet pipes and sewer lines are not equipped to handle these items and can easily clog up and damage your sewer line. Additionally, those flushable wipes are not!

Dispose of Grease and Oil Properly

After cooking with grease or oil, be careful to wipe out any excess from pans before washing in the sink. Once it cools, it will become stuck to the pipes and can clog up your sewer lines.

Use Strainers

Whenever possible, use drain strainers in all sinks and tubs. They will catch excess hair, food, and other debris that, over time, will clog your sewer lines.

Avoid Planting Trees Near Sewer Lines

Tree roots can cause major damage to sewer lines. It’s vital to know where your sewer pipes are located so you can avoid planting any trees or bushes in that area. You may also want to consider removing existing shrubbery.

Replace Outdated Sewer Pipes

Sewer pipes don’t last forever. As time passes, the likelihood increases that they will corrode, crack, leak, and break. Typically, cast iron pipes usually last about 30 to 40 years, PVC will last about 20 to 40 years, and copper about 50 to 80 years. Signs your pipes need to be replaced include strange smells, gurgling pipes, slow draining, puddles outside, and discolored water.

Schedule Annual Sewer Inspections

Regular inspections can detect problems before they turn into messy and costly disasters. A trained professional can check for clogs, cracked pipes and damaged sewer lines due to tree roots and other debris. This will help avoid overflows, floods, and property damage.

Contact Us

If you’re in need of reliable sewer line repair, drain cleaning, or sewer and drain maintenance in the Philadelphia area, the experts at Reliable Plumbing, Heating, and Drain Cleaning are here to help. We offer 24/7 assistance as well as free estimates. Contact us today!