The piping all over your house is interconnected, and water from every pipe flow from your sanitary sewer line to a city-wide sewer system or a septic tank (if there is one). So, a clog anywhere in the sanitary sewer line could mean big trouble for every drain and toilet in the house. So, how does one avoid letting that happen?
Here are all the ways you can avoid costly plumbing issues, water damage in the house, or expensive replacement:
Sewer lines in older homes
If you happen to live in an old home with clay pipe sanitary service, you will have to exercise more precaution to prevent drain back-ups since your pipes will be more susceptible to damages. They are especially prone to tree roots penetrating or rupturing them. Home-owners with clay pipes might need to remove any large trees in the area and embrace proper landscaping techniques.
Drain consciously
For old or new pipes, you must be conscious of what you’re throwing down the kitchen or bathroom sink. Be mindful, and avoid putting sticky, bulky, or textured items down the drain as much as possible. The most common junk that causes drain clogs includes:
– Grease
– Oil
– Coffee Grounds
– Eggshells
– Animal fat
The cool part about this habit is that it will also help the environment. If you learn to dispose of or recycle such items properly, you will not only lower the chances of a clogged drain, but you’re also reducing your carbon footprint!
Flush consciously
Your drainage system also includes the stuff that gets flushed down the toilet. Just like when it comes to sinks, be mindful of what you put into the toilet bowl. To prevent a backed-up toilet (and you don’t want that), refrain from disposing of the following stuff through the bathroom:
– Diapers
– Tampons and other sanitary napkins
– Cleaning wipes
– Make-up remover towelettes/wipes
– Paper towels
– Large quantities of Toilet tissue
– Chewing gum
Remember that learning and making a habit of correctly disposing of some of the items mentioned above will also reduce the negative impact on the environment and your carbon footprint.
Beware of unpleasant odours:
One of the defining signs of a drain slowly clogging up is a bad smell. Many people use a quick fix for this issue and throw disinfectant down the sink or trap where the redolence emanates. Throwing disinfectant does stop the place from stinking up, but it doesn’t unclog the drain. Look out for bad smells emitting from the conduit. It could be that there’s no water left in the duct, allowing smell from the sewage system up to your end, or it could be a blockage in the pipework. Whatever it is, don’t overlook it, and call in a trusted professional.
Take note of a slow drain:
Another tell-tale sign pointing towards a potential plumbing disaster is if sinks or traps take ages to drain. Often, a plunger will do to unclog it, but it’s time to call in a technician if the problem persists. Another aspect to take note of is if there is a drainage issue in more than one place. If so, this usually means that there’s a looming problem. If the drain issue persists in different areas of the ground floor or the basement (if you have one), these floors directly link with the main sewage line. A drain in the upper floors alone indicates that there’s a clog in the secondary sewage line.
Find the sanitary sewer line and inspect the ground above it.
It’s useful for everyone to have a bit of basic knowledge of plumbing and drainage systems – especially for home-owners. This basic knowledge will also help you find the sanitary sewer line of your property. You don’t have to be an expert to find it. Knowing the basics should be enough.
Now, step one is to take a look at the yard. Look for the sewer line cleanout, if there is one. The cleanout line is a capped pipe that sticks out of the ground, twenty feet from your house. If you spot one, compare the location with your city sewer system or septic tank. You now know where the mainline runs.
In case you don’t have a cleanout line, figure out where the sewer line exits your home. It’s usually through basements or crawl-spaces. Once you find it, note the flow direction.
The area above your sewer line that is part of your yard is your responsibility to maintain. So, it’s especially prudent to take care that there’s no chance of drain damage if the pipes are of clay. A common cause for the deterioration of such tubes is tree roots, rocks, or an improper landscaping technique.
Regularly clean your yard and ensure that your landscaping techniques are beneficial and not the opposite.
