How to Prevent Sewer Drain Clogs
Let’s talk about sewer drain clogs.
Knowing the signs of sewer drain clogs and the main things that cause them can help you to prevent them. Since all your drains, pipes, and plumbing fixtures in your home are connected to the main sewer line, prevention can play a huge role in your sewer drain health. So, let’s get started with what are the main causes of drain clogs in your home?
- Hair – This one is obvious. We all know that we shed our hair. And long hair can clog our drains REALLY well. (Sorry, long-haired ladies and men.) Hair can bind with grease, hair products, and other sticky substances to clog your drains. Want to prevent this in the first place? Grab a drain guard.
- Soap – I know. Your head probably cocked slightly to the side when you read this one. But believe it or not, traditional soap is oftentimes made up with grease or fat. And that, combined with minerals in water, can create a hard residue (aka soap scum) that stains and clogs. Want to prevent this one? Switch to soap-free washes, and have your pipes pressure cleaned.
- Dirt – Although you may think your drain is for washing things away, dirt can still build up and cause issues. So, if you have soiled clothing, do your best to brush it off or rinse it off before washing them in the house
- Food waste – Be careful with food waste, even if you have a garbage disposal. Also, be careful with grease. Although many think it’s okay to dump grease down the drain with hot running water, once that grease cools down, anything that’s still in the drain or that coated the edges of the drain will solidify and block it up. The best way to get rid of grease is to let it cool down and throw it away.
- Small objects – I’m not talking about action figures and kids’ toys being found in the toilet (although that is also not good), but other small objects can cause clogs. Feminine products, paper towels, too much toilet paper, etc. can all clog your pipes.
In addition to clogged drains and pipes in your own home causing main sewer drain clogs, there are a variety of other causes of sewer drain clogs, such as tree root infiltration (especially in older homes), sewer pipe damage, and sagging sewer lines. Unfortunately, sometimes these are hard to prevent and hard to know that they are occurring, but there are some ways you can tell if there is a sewer clog drain, whether it was caused by you or an environmental issue. Here are warning signs of a sewer drain clog in your yard:
- Frequent drain backups – If you have a drain that continuously clogs in your home, grab a professional (ah-hem, we are here!) and get it checked out.
- Multiple fixtures are clogged – If more than one plumbing fixture backs up at the same time, you almost most definitely have a sewer line issue.
- Strange reactions when using plumbing fixtures: If flushing the toilet causes water to backup in the shower, or the toilet water bubbles, or any other strange happenings are occurring, get your lines checked
- Your lawn starts to change – Yes, your lawn can change if there is a sewer line issue since it extends into your front lawn. If there is an indentation in your line, there may be a break in the sewer line. A soggy patch of grass may also indicate a broken pipe.
- Bad odor from drains: If you smell a bad odor that is coming from the drains, you may have a clog
If you suspect that your sewer drain is clogged, be sure to get someone to check it out right away. Otherwise, your plumbing fixtures will stop working and sewage backup can occur in your home. Although there are ways to take care of minor clogs in the home, consulting with a professional is always advised because sometimes, minor clogs can be indications of deeper issues.