3 Ways To Help Prevent Sewer Line Clogs

ways to help prevent sewer line clogs

Say Goodbye To Drain Clogs!

A clogged sewer line is one of the most frustrating plumbing issues homeowners can face. Since the sewer line handles the wastewater from all of the home’s drains, if it becomes clogged, it can affect every drain in the house. This can lead to nasty odors, slow-moving drains, and even sewage backups – so homeowners must do everything they can to avoid clogs. This article will outline three easy ways to help prevent drain clogs and keep the home’s plumbing system flowing smoothly!

Schedule Professional Drain Cleaning

Hydrojetting machine nozzle cleaning sewer pipes, demonstrating professional drain cleaning services to prevent clogs.The first way to prevent clogged sewer lines is to have the home’s drains cleaned by a professional as part of routine plumbing maintenance. Drain cleaning typically involves using a hydrojetting machine like a pressure washer for drain pipes. A drain cleaning technician will open the home’s sewer line cleanout and feed in a hose with a high-powered water nozzle, breaking blockages apart and cleaning residue off the pipe walls.

Hydrojet drain cleaning can also remove clogs and nasty buildup from the home’s drain pipes, reducing the likelihood of future clogs. For most homes, professional drain cleaning can be done once every 1-3 years, depending on how well the homeowners maintain their drains themselves (more on that below). 

Put Mesh Drain Screens In Sinks and Showers

Mesh drain screen for sinks and showers designed to capture hair and food solids, preventing clogs and promoting effective drainage.Homeowners can help prevent drain clogs between drain cleaning services by limiting how much debris goes down the drains. One great way to do this is with mesh drain screens, which capture larger objects while still allowing water to go through. Things like hair and food solids contributing to clogs will be stopped from going down the drains, drastically lowering the chance of clogged pipes.

Drain screens and hair catchers are designed for virtually every kind of drain, so this is a convenient and inexpensive way to keep as much solid waste out of the drains as possible.

Limit What Food Waste Goes Down the Kitchen Sink

The kitchen sink is one area where drain screens come in handy the most, thanks to all the food waste and scraps from dirty dishes and food prep. Of course, some kitchen sinks have garbage disposals to break food solids into smaller particles. But even if homeowners use a garbage disposal or mesh screens, some food items can still cause problems.

Cooking oil and grease are two of the biggest culprits behind sewer line clogs since they can get stuck in the sewer line and solidify as they cool, forming a mire that captures other bits of waste. Instead of putting grease and oil down the drain, homeowners can put them in sealed containers and throw them in the trash bin. Things like coffee grounds and eggshells can also get stuck in pipes and should be put in the trash instead.

By utilizing the tips above, homeowners can prevent the vast majority of drain clogs and keep their plumbing systems clean and in great shape!

About B&L Plumbing and Heating

The award-winning B&L Plumbing and Heating has been serving Colorado Springs with pride since 1999. Their trustworthy, licensed technicians always arrive on time in fully-stocked trucks and do the job right the first time. They offer up-front competitive pricing, personalized solutions, a money-saving maintenance plan, and 24/7 emergency service with no after-hours fees – so there’s no one better to call for drain cleaning services in Colorado Springs, CO!

What Is a Sewer Main?

what is a sewer main?

Tips for Protecting Your Sewer Main

While most homeowners are very familiar with their pipes, some aren’t aware of what the home’s plumbing system is versus the sewer main line. Unfortunately, there is a significant difference between a clog in the pipes and one further down in the sewer main.

Knowing more about how they differ and what can be done to prevent and maintain them is essential information for any homeowner, especially when in need of plumbing services much like drain cleaning.

What Is the Home’s Sewer Main?

The home’s sewer main is what connects the drains in the home to the drain attached to the sewer main. It is located under the ground in the yard and is likely the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain instead of the city.

Sewer main line access point in a trench, illustrating plumbing infrastructure essential for connecting home drains to the municipal sewer system.

Most sewer main lines are less than 6 inches in diameter and should be on a downward slope so that sewer material doesn’t flow back into the home. Unfortunately, due to their small size, sewer main lines have a tendency to clog more easily than other pipes in the home. 

Are There Any Sewer Main Services Needed?

Plumber carrying a toolbox while entering a home, symbolizing professional plumbing services for sewer main maintenance and repairs.While routine maintenance of the sewer main is recommended, most homeowners don’t seek services until after they have noticed a problem. 

Sewer main clogs should always be managed and addressed by a trained, professional plumbing company. With these clogs, there is a larger risk of a burst pipe which can end up causing substantial damage and expense if not noticed quickly.

There are more options available for sewer main clogs if they are found and treated early. Signs that the home may be dealing with a sewer main clog include:

  • Bad Odors - Many homeowners describe the smell as sewage, as it is often the result of the sewer main backing up into the home.
  • Water Bubbles - This happens when air gets caught between the clog and the drain. 
  • Strange Gurgling Noises - These are often noticed coming from the toilet or bathtub.
  • Continuing/Recurring Issues - If the toilets in the home have recurring issues with slow water flow or frequent clogs, there might be a problem lower down in the sewer main.

What Happens If the Home Develops a Sewer Main Clog?

Sewer main clogs can happen for a few different reasons. The most common of those reasons are tree roots and debris, although there are other reasons they may occur as well.

Tree roots are the most common cause of a sewer main clog, though, because they are so prevalent in the yard. Over time, and especially with older trees, the roots seek out the moisture in the pipes. If there is even a small leak, the tree roots can sense them and will grow towards them.

Laptop displaying "APP MAINTENANCE" message with a wrench icon, symbolizing technical updates or repairs relevant to plumbing service management.

The other cause of sewer main clogs, debris, is more likely to come from inside the home. When inappropriate objects are flushed (like baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, etc.), they may end up clogging the pipes under the home. Over time, this may go from just slowing down the home’s water pressure to stopping the flow of water entirely. 

Both of these are reasons why regular plumbing maintenance is important. Having regular inspections, especially with video, can find clogs before they can become a larger problem.

About B&L Plumbing and Heating

Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, B&L Plumbing and Heating has been in business since 1999. They offer a range of services all focused on providing you a seamless and convenient experience. B&L Plumbing and Heating is veteran-owned and always puts customer satisfaction first.