No homeowner wants to walk into the house to the decaying, rotting, vile stench of a backed up sewer line. Not only does it get up into your nose (determined to hang out there no matter how much Febreeze you spray), but it usually means costly repairs that no one wants to shell out.
But what really causes a sewage back-up and can it be prevented so you are not stuck with exorbitant plumber’s fees? To answer that, we are taking a look at the 4 Main Things That Clog Your Sewage Line.
Settling
As time goes on, the ground underneath your house will compact and shift. Commonly referred to as “settling”, this movement is to be expected and, to a certain extent, planned for in the early years of the house’s life. Unfortunately, after ten+ years, settling happens unevenly throughout the foundation and older homes that were built with clay pipes will often find damaging stress on joints or demolishing breaks on the pipes themselves. This lets in dirt and other clog causing debris which will grab and collect solid waste. To prevent this, yearly checks by a professional are usually the best way to go.
Pipe Corrosion
While clay pipes are subject to crushing and breaking, slightly newer cast iron pipes fall victim to corrosion. Over time, chemicals and acidic waste will eat through the varnish that coats the inside of new pipes and rust will start to form. Eventually, the pipe will develop holes and breaks that will allow debris build-up just as badly as a broken clay pipe. Having a plumber run his camera-on-a-stick through the sewage lines once a year will give you advanced warning of any impending problems.
Tree Roots
Just about everyone has seen a picture of a tree growing out of a bare rock; usually splitting a crack through the stone itself. Your pipes are no different than the rock. Tree roots are very good at sinking down and not only breaking through joints, but pushing right through the walls of a compromised pipe. Once they have penetrated, the water flushing through the tube will feed the root, making it expand like a sponge. Eventually, the roots will extend tendrils throughout the pipe and catch sewage like a net. Although a regular camera check is the best prevention here as well, it is advisable to look in the spring and fall since roots grow rapidly.
Waste Itself
Almost 75% of clogs are caused by the very stuff that people are trying to get rid of in the first place. Improper disposal of items such as feminine napkins and diapers can cause an instant backup. Long-term flushing of cooking grease or cat litter(yes, it happens) will lead to build-ups along the pipe walls; constricting sewage flow. Be careful of how you get rid of your waste and make certain that you are not trying to wash the wrong stuff down the line.
Keeping your sewage pipes clean and in good repair is a simple matter of awareness and routine inspection. Prevention takes little time and effort and will reduce the need for digging up the yard in search of clogs. If you do suspect a blockage past the main line, don’t instantly resort to Draino or other chemicals that will eat at the walls of the pipe. Call in a professional to “scope” out the problem. Certainly it may be an easy fix, but you just never know. It could end up being a very stinky problem.