How to maintain a sewer line

Sewer Line Conditions:

·      Low Areas (Sags or Dips)

·      Buildup

·      Tree Roots

Low Areas (Sags or Dips)

Depending on the severity, low areas can slow the movement of debris and possibly stop water flowing through a sewer pipe.  When enough debris/solids gather in a low area, it can cause a blockage and eventually a nasty, inconvenient and oftentimes costly backup.

Most low areas can be broadly categorized as:

·      Functioning well, non-event to not-severe but recommend maintaining good habits

·      Functioning properly not requiring repair but recommend occasional maintenance and modification of habits

·      Functioning adequately not requiring repair but recommend regular maintenance and modification of habits

·      Functioning poorly/inadequately requiring repair by excavating to apply proper slop

Buildup

The buildup is caused by certain food waste material sticking then hardening inside the pipe wall, most commonly found in cast iron.  High protein materials such as fats, oils and grease are the biggest culprit for developing this condition.  The thicker the buildup becomes, the more it reduces the pipe passageway.

Tree Roots

Tree roots can grow into the pipe at the joint of clay, and concrete pipes as these connections are usually not 100% sealed, unlike PVC pipes.  Tree roots found in cast iron are most likely an indication that the pipe is softening and rotting.

Once roots are present, they will continue to grow and multiply over time.  Until the web of root branches increases to the point the roots cover the entire pipe, the risk of creating a blockage is not high.

Two common misconceptions when tree roots are present:

1.    Assume the pipe is broken and needs repair.

2.    Assume the pipe is leaking and needs repair.

Neither one of these common assumptions or narratives are necessarily true.  As tree roots slowly grow in between the joints, they form to the connection and act like a cork causing no leakage.  Depending on the severity of roots present, we usually recommend the pipe be cleaned by a reputable drain cleaning company with a 3” to 4” blade and then re-scoped to further, assess the severity of the condition before immediately recommending a repair.

7 Tips: How to Maintain a Sewer Line:

1.    Limit Food Down the Kitchen Drain Line

2.    Properly dispose of Non-Food Items

3.    Use One-Ply Toilet Paper

4.    Flush the Plumbing System

5.    Set Toilet to High Volume Flush

6.    Ten to your Roots

7.    Naturally Clean your Plumbing System

Tip #1 Limit Food Down the Kitchen Drain Line

·      Helpful for low areas, buildup and excessive roots.

This tip is simply a good habit for all kitchen drain lines whether or not your currently have problems.  Most food waste is heavier than other waste normally intended for the sewer line, does not flow out or through the line as easily and can easily gather in the line.

Scrape as much food waste as possible into a garbage container.  Only allow crumbs or small particles and run cold water before, during and after when running the garbage disposal.  The top foods NOT to put down the kitchen drain line are:

·      Stringy or fibrous foods such as celery, corn husks or potato peels, just to name a few.

·      Fats, oils and grease (FOG).  Collect FOG in a separate disposable container, let it cool and solidify then dispose in the garbage container.  Also, wipe FOG residue from pans or dishes with a paper towel before washing.

·      Eggshells. Some people claim that egg shells sharpen the garbage disposal blades.  This is NOT true.  As the shell grinds down to a sand-like substance it eventually clogs pipes.

·      Coffee grounds can also build up over time and cause a clog.

·      Starchy foods such as pasta, rice, potatoes and beans.  These foods will swell with water to form a past-like substance and eventually cause a clog.

·      Bottom-Line – Do NOT treat your sinks and drains like a garbage container.

Tip #2 Properly Dispose of Non-Food

·      Helpful for low areas and excessive roots in mainline sewer.

Small items such as dental floss, rubber bands, twist ties, cigarette butts, hair pull tab and plant clippings, just to name a few, should not be flushed down toilets or drains.  These items cannot break down enough to flush completely through the plumbing system. These non-flexible materials can get caught in the line, catch and gather on other debris and eventually form a blockage.

Wipes for adults and toddlers, extra-thick toilet paper, toilet cleaning wand pop-off pads, tampons, baby wipes, paper towels, sanitary pads and other items labelled "flush-able”, can eventually get tangled up in sewer pipes.  We recommend NOT flushing these items.”

Tip #3 Use One-Ply Toilet Paper

·      Helpful for low areas and excessive roots.

Although it may not feel as good on your "tush”, one-ply toilet paper dissolves much faster than the leading "soft, extra-thick or plush” tissue brands.  One-ply is more affordable and will clear pipes quicker.  If you choose a two-ply brand, look for one with the septic and sewer safe symbol.  By changing this habit you will help maintain low areas and reduce the risk of blockage due to existing roots in the line.

Tip #4 Flush the Plumbing System

·      Helpful for low areas in mainline sewer

Once a month fill all or most of the water holding devices in the home including the washing machine (containing no clothes or laundry detergent), bathtubs and sinks full to capacity with COLD water then drain all at once.  While these are draining go around and flush all the toilets as quickly as possible.  This simple, no-cost solution is helpful but not a permanent solution.

Tip #5 Set Toilets to High Volume Flush

·      Helpful for identified low areas.

Newer, low-volume ("low-flow” or "high-efficiency”) toilets are not always advisable when significant low areas or a negative slope has been identified by a good camera system.

Waste drains from the toilet need to slope between 1/8-in. and 1 /4-in. per foot for the water to carry solid waste to the sewer.  If the slope is too steep or too level, the flow of water can allow waste to collect in the pipe eventually causing clogs.

If there is a negative slope due to the age of the sewer system, shifting solid or construction error, water will stand in the pipe and waste is carried away only by the strong force of usually an older, higher volume toilet.

Although the average plumbing system will work fine with today’s low-flush toilets, we suggest you consider:

1.    The age of the sewage system,

2.    Whether or not there are identifiable problems such as low areas that already exist in the main sewer pipe before installing low-volume toilets,

3.    Setting toilets to the highest flush volume, and

4.    Scheduling an unbiased sewer scope inspection before embarking on a bathroom remodelling project and/or changing out the toilets and changing the sewage system environment.

Tip #6 Tend to Your Roots

·      Helpful when tree roots are present.

We all love having big, beautiful trees in our yard to provide aesthetic value, curb appeal and shade.  If roots have a tendency to grow in your sewer line, make sure to hire a professional, reputable drain cleaner to mechanically clean the line at least once a year with a 3” to 4” blade.  Make sure you ask them to clean the line not just clear the line.  If you’re planning a landscape project or replacing trees in your yard, you may want to consider what types of trees to plant and where.

Tip #7 Naturally Clean Your Plumbing System

·      Helpful if buildup is present

Harsh chemical clog removers such as Drano or Liquide Plumber are hard on most pipes, not environmentally friendly and will simply place a short-term band-aid on the problem