No one wants their toilet to overflow because things can get messy and smelly when that happens. It is a home scenario that homeowners can prevent if you do the necessary checking and maintenance of sewer lines in your place. Unfortunately, sewer lines are easy to ignore because they are not visible to the eyes, and they function without you noticing. It is also the same reason you tend to neglect them, and why it is crucial to keep them in mind. 

The Consequence of an Ignored Sewer Line

Quality Decline

Several pipes make up your sewer line. These pipes also have their specific life expectancy. The older your pipes get, the more they are prone to damages, such as cracks, holes, and corrosion. When one tube gets rusty, the rot can extend to the pipe walls, and more problems can occur when this happens.

Root Intrusion

A tree always looks for water to survive. When it discovers your pipes underneath the soil, full of moisture and nutrients, its roots will find its way to thrive inside them. That’s why root intrusion is often one leading cause of sewer line problems. The more the roots invade the inside of your pipes, the bigger the blockage they create. Moreover, it can cause your tubes to crack and even burst. If there is a tree near your house, consider conducting root inspection every so often.

Clogged line 

The most common reason for a clogged pipe is all the little particles that cause the obstruction. It can be anything from hairs in the shower, grease and food particles found in the kitchen sink, or the soap residue and skin flakes from the bath. This kind of problem takes time before you notice them. You will first experience a slowdown when it comes to drainage until the blockage becomes too big for water to get through.

Signs That There May Be Something Wrong With Your Sewers

If you have a plunger and using it in your toilet or tub is not enough to fix it, it is always best to call your local plumber to gauge the real cause behind your pipe issues. If you need ideas on what situations you need professional help, here are some of them:

• You experience water backing up in more than one home appliance (e.g., washing machine, bathtub, etc.)
• There are strange noises (gurgling sounds) coming from the pipes
• Raw sewage starts to come out of your drain 
• Sewage smell stars to invade your home
• You experience slow drainage or no drainage at all for most water fixtures in your home
• The whole building foundation suffers from excessive moisture

The Ideal Schedule for a Sewer Checkup

The good thing is the sewer line is not a high maintenance part of the house. As long as you are keeping things that cause blockage away from your drains, you only need to schedule a sewer line inspection at least once a year. Add an annual cleaning too to make sure there will be no other problem.

For newly installed pipes, a checkup and cleaning every 18 months is ideal. No matter how good you are at handling your home, you need inspection and assurance that everything is working fine. Pipes are difficult to check on your own, so you need the help of professional plumbers who have the right equipment to make the maintenance possible.

Conclusion

Now that you know the importance of regular checkups for your sewer line, you should consider plotting it in your maintenance calendar. Early prevention is always better than dealing with a clogged pipe, a smelly toilet, or a slow draining bath. 

Having a sewer line camera inspection is the best way to check the status of your sewer line. If you are from Santa Clarita and are looking for a trusted rooter drain expert, contact us today! We have been fixing Santa Clarita’s drainage and plumbing problems for many years now.