How to Keep Your Sewer System Clean

Cleaning the sewer system is a nasty, but important job. If the sewers get clogged, sewage will back up in the pipes, and you can end up with a dirty, smelly mess in your house or business. Sometimes, sewer cleaning is a big ordeal, requiring that the yard or street be dug up. In these cases, you will definitely need a professional plumber to handle the repairs. However, sometimes there are simpler steps that you can take to keep your sewer clean. Try these steps to help keep your sewer clean.

Clogs

Keeping your sewer free of clogs is an important part of maintaining a clean, well-functioning sewer system. Whether you are dealing with a home or business, you may need to clear out a clog from the sink, shower, or tub in order to keep your sewer functioning properly. You can remove these clogs by using a chemical drain cleaner, like Drano or Liquid Plumber. Just pour the chemical down the drain, wait a few minutes, and then flush with hot water. If you are dealing with a kitchen drain, don’t pour the chemical drain cleaner into the side of the sink that has the garbage disposal; it can damage the disposal. Another option is to use a drain cleaning tool, like the Zip-It tool. This is a flexible plastic tool that has teeth along its edges. You just insert it into the drain, and then slowly pull it back out. It will pull out gunk and hair that has built up inside the pipes. You should flush the drain with hot water after removing the tool in order to remove any other loose debris.

Sometimes sewers get clogged because of debris that occurs following a storm, or simply by regular changes in the weather. If your sewer is clogged with leaves or other debris, the town where you live will usually handle cleaning it out.

Leaks

Leaks often occur because the pipes are cracked. Cracks can occur because of the age of the pipes, or because roots from trees or plants have grown into the sewer lines. If you have a cracked pipe, the pipe will need to be repaired or replaced in order to prevent bigger problems with the sewer from occurring. A cracked sewer line can be a big issue, and for this you will certainly need to call in a professional to handle the repairs.

Sewer Repair and Maintenance

You may be able to handle certain elements of minor sewer repair and maintenance on your own, like dealing with drain clogs inside the house. If you have a bigger problem or don’t feel comfortable handling it on your own, it is always a good idea to call in a professional. A professional plumber has both the knowledge and the proper equipment to deal with these problems quickly and skillfully. If you believe that the problem is caused by a blockage in the public sewer system, contact the municipality to have it repaired. Do not attempt to make repairs on your own.

When you encounter a problem with your sewer lines, get in touch with the professional plumbers at Scott English Plumbing. We have more than 19 years of experience in caring for homes and businesses in Orange County, and we have the expertise and tools to deal with issues like sewer cleaning. With our video inspection services and hydro jets, we can get to the root of the problem. You can count on Scott English Plumbing to handle all of your sewer cleaning needs.