Being a house owner is for sure very rewarding, because, after all, it’s a major investment that allows you to feel comfortable and safe at any given moment. But regardless of how secure it’s supposed to be, the reality is, that certain issues can occur that can seriously cause a huge mess. Whether you believe it or not, sewer clogs are one of them, and once they strike, they can be perceived as a massive problem that must urgently be resolved, otherwise, you’ll be facing major consequences.
That’s precisely why it’s of huge importance to always be aware of this problem, which can frequently escalate. If you’re unsure how to recognize these sorts of problems and what generally causes them, then stay tuned, because this guide is about to further explore this topic.
Garbage and grease disposal problems
You are probably aware of the fact of how detrimental can be if you flush the wrong stuff, well, the situation is similar as far as this is concerned. Namely, if you utilize the garbage disposal improperly, and pour grease straight down the kitchen sink, then it’s going to result in sewer clogs.
In addition, if you put your food down the disposal too fast, it simply won’t have enough time to go through the system. Putting used grease and oil down the drain is another mistake that you can make that can cause the sewer drain to clog. That’s something that can occur as soon as the liquids cool in the pipes.
They are the ones that are creating these sorts of blockages. Therefore, if you want to prevent this from happening, and, at the same time, keep your home safe, then you need to employ the garbage disposal the right way.
The pipe is seriously damaged
If by any chance, sewer pipes are ruptured or broken in any way, then the sewage isn’t capable of properly draining through the system, which can result in instant backups. Various things can lead to this, such as:
- Sewer pipe rupture that’s caused by the shifting soil, boosted traffic on the ground beyond, settling, or the employment of heavy construction tools above the ground.
- Leaking joints where the seals between different sectors of the pipe have broken, enabling sewage and water to escape.
- Corrosion of the older pipes, leading to pipe collapse or break
So what can be done in these types of situations? By far, the best option is to resort to sewer line replacement and that’s most definitely the most effective solution. Although you may think that this is a pricey investment, bear in mind that you will, in fact, skimp on costs if you decide to do so, because, if you don’t hire professionals, you’ll be facing much bigger expenses down the line.
Flushable wipes are anything but flushable
If you ask any plumber if they think that the so-called flushable wipes are really flushable, they’ll probably roll their eyes at this question, because they are anything but that. If you used to flush them, then now, may be a good time to stop doing so.
This is particularly important if you conclude that the drains are draining very slowly, which most likely means that you are dealing with a partial blockage. When these “flushable” wipes go to the drain line, they will eventually compact, which will lead to a complete clog.
Plumbers who have tackled these issues will tell you that this “venture” is anything but fun and pleasant. It can be extremely tedious, tiring, and time-consuming, not to mention harmful as well. That’s why you should refrain from this as much as you can.
Tree roots
In case you didn’t know, tree rots adore water, hence they are always “on the hunt” for the most effective source of underground water. There aren’t too many options when it comes to this. So what do you think, where will they go first?
If you think that your sewer pipes are their target, then you’ve guessed it right. Tree roots are generally very strong, “stubborn”, and resilient and they’ll do whatever is in their power to inhabit your pipes and stay there forever (not literally, of course).
Your sewer water is a perfect home for them, however, it’s not great for you and the space you live in. Consequently, if you decide to plant a tree on the property, then you first need to be sure that it is far away from the sewer pipes so that the roots do not find a way to enter the sewer water.
A vast majority of houses today, come with the trees, and, likely, the tree roots are already “planning” on entering your pipes (if they haven’t done it already). But don’t be frightened by this immediately.
Fortunately, even in these instances, there’s a solution that you can resort to. For example, if you are planning on replacing your pipes, then you should opt for a PVC pipe because it’s a lot less prone to letting tree roots in.
Limescale
Limescale is nothing new and unusual and that’s something that can easily accumulate everywhere, especially in hard water regions. Once limescale appears, it can cause a serious problem because these mineral deposits will slowly begin blocking the pipe’s opening, without leaving enough space for debris to normally pass.
If something like this occurs, it will inevitably result in complete clogs and the build-up, which can only be resolved if you hire a professional plumber who has the necessary tools for these purposes.
A sagging sewer line
Now, here’s an issue that can happen to practically any household, and that occurs over time, and no matter how much you want to control it, there’s nothing you can do to prevent it. This problem happens when a particular part of the pipe sinks because of the soil and ground conditions.
Image by Domianick from Pixabay
Almost every property will deal with sewer clogs at some point, and that’s something that can hardly be prevented. But what you can do is pay attention to the warning signs and take the necessary steps to overcome these hurdles.