Don’t Let Your Sewer Line Bog You Down

Keep the Swamp in the Sewer

Sewer line clogs are annoying, and when they happen, there’s always the question of “How could this have been avoided?”. Scheduling regular plumbing maintenance with a professional is the best way to prevent frustrating repairs later. Still, there are steps everyone can take at home to avoid a clog. Watching what goes down sinks and toilets is the easiest way to avoid a clogged sewer line. It may be easier to flush everything or wash everything down the drain, but understanding the potential catastrophe will suddenly make it not worth it. 

Plumbing professionals break down sewer line clog prevention and signs that there might already be damage in this article.

You Wouldn’t Believe These Items Will Cause a Sewer Line Clog

Knowing what is safe to go down the sewer pipe and what isn’t is the easiest way to avoid the headache of scheduling plumbing maintenance with a professional. When doing the dishes, rinsing all the small crumbs and fragments in the sink is much easier and faster. No reason to be ashamed! It’s something that everyone has done. What isn’t considered when this millisecond decision is made is whether or not that certain food is fit to travel down a sewer pipe. Foods that should stay out of the sink include expanding foods like rice and grains, flour, egg shells, coffee grounds, and fibrous fruits such as pumpkin and corn husks. 

Another sewer pipe to avoid clogging is in the bathroom through the toilet. Paper products and paint are tough on pipes and if flushed frequently, it will almost certainly lead to a clogged sewer line. 

However, homes get busy, and regulating what goes down every pipe would be exhausting. If something that doesn’t belong in the sewer pipe creates a clog, there will usually be bubbling noises, backed-up drains, and water around the toilet that follows. These are all common indicators of a sewer line clog, and drain cleaning methods should be taken accordingly.

It’s The Water Line… It’s the Sewer Line… It’s a Plumbing Professional!

The home has two sets of pipes that run into and out of it: the water and plumbing systems. Both are relatively similar in the big picture and can need plumbing maintenance if there is a leak. Understanding the difference between a sewer line leak and a water line leak can eliminate unnecessary steps if chaos does occur. 

The water and sewer lines are used daily, meaning both are regularly active and subject to damage from use over time. Damage from a leak in a water pipe may include discoloration on the walls and floors, water around appliances, and a mold and mildew smell coming from cracks in the wall. 

A sewer line leak, however, is understandably a bit more ghastly. Common indicators that it might be time for a professional plumbing inspection include overgrown patches of grass in the yard, foul odors coming from leaks in or around the home, and rodents and insects in the home. A professional should be called immediately if any of these are seen.

Honey, Have You Scheduled the Plumbing Inspection Yet?

The best way to avoid a major sewer line catastrophe is to schedule regular plumbing inspections with a professional. Taking 20 minutes of your day to identify potential obstructions in a sewer line sounds much better than taking two hours to schedule plumbing maintenance. A standard inspection usually involves checking the toilets and sinks for proper draining, flushing the water heater to detect any buildup, and conducting a full inspection of the pipe system to determine if any drain cleaning should occur.

This quick visit from a professional not only saves time but also money. On average, a plumbing inspection costs a few hundred dollars, while sewer line repair can cost upwards of $1k-4k, depending on the severity of the clog. Call a professional today and avoid shelling out regret later.

About The Bosworth Company

Since 1949, The Bosworth Company has been dedicated to servicing Midland, Texas. As a BBB-accredited company with an A+ rating, they use state-of-the-art technology and bring undeniable plumbing knowledge directly to your home. With 24/7 live service, they understand that chaos doesn’t wait, so neither should they. Give The Bosworth Company a call today to schedule a preventative plumbing maintenance inspection in Midland, TX today!

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