Sewer clogs are an insidious problem that may lead to costly repairs, especially in older homes with plumbing that just isn’t built to keep up with modern demands. Here are a few sewer clog prevention tips that may help you avoid costly system failures.
Be Careful What You Flush
The rule of thumb is that nothing should be flushed down the toilet except sewage and toilet tissue. No food, no dental floss, no paper towels and certainly no diapers or other sanitary products should go down the toilet. Even wipes marketed as “flushable” don’t break down properly in the sewer line and can cause major issues.
Use Sink and Bathtub Hygiene
Sinks and tubs have a wide range of substances constantly running down the drain that can stick to the pipes and start a clog. Keep the drains clear by sticking to these practices:
- Place hair traps in bathtubs and any sinks used for shaving.
- Use mesh food traps on kitchen sinks and empty them into the trash, even if you have a garbage disposal.
- Pour excess grease into disposable containers, not down the drain.
- Flush baking soda and hot water through the pipes after washing dishes to clear food debris, grease particles and soap scum.
Bear in mind that anything—even something as small as a few coffee grounds—can stick in the pipes and start collecting other debris to form clogs.
Have the Pipes Maintained Regularly
Most drains have a trap to collect debris, and these must be emptied regularly. Set up annual maintenance with a qualified plumbing technician to keep these clean, and to ensure that the pipes and vents function as intended. Call a plumber as soon as possible if anything drains slow, leaks or starts making noise. If you have an older house, consider getting a sewer line inspection to ensure that age or tree roots haven’t compromised this critical part of your plumbing system.
For more expert sewer clog prevention tips or plumbing maintenance, contact us at Beyer Boys.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater San Antonio, Texas area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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