Keeping a healthy sewer line is one of the most important things a homeowner can do. Experts say that you should always have a sewer system inspected with a camera before you buy a home, but sewer care starts any time — and prevention is as important as repair. Sewer line repair prevention starts in the home. Here are a few things to look out for in the bathroom that can mean the difference between a healthy sewer system and an unexpected sewer line replacement cost.
1. Don’t let hair go down the drain.
One of the major players in drain and sewer line problems is hair that goes down the drain from the shower — especially long hair. Hair can tangle around itself and other debris that may go down the drain, which can create a tough blockage that only gets worse over time. Put a hair trap in your shower drain and clean it periodically.
2. Never flush feminine products.
Another sewer problem that can start in the bathroom is a blockage created by feminine products. These should never be flushed down the toilet, since they are bulky and can soak up water. This can create a hard to remove blockage which can catch other debris, which is likely going to lead to a need for sewer line cleaning or sewer line repair. Always throw feminine products in the trash rather than flushing them.
3. Flushable wipes aren’t actually flushable.
Another reason homeowners are often faced with replacing sewer lines is that they’ve been flushing “flushable” wipes. Unfortunately, even though these wipes are marketed in a way that makes people think that they can be flushed down a toilet, this simply is not the case. These wipes don’t dissolve the way toilet paper does, which can lead to clogs. Sewer line cleaning can clear the system of existing wipes and debris, but it’s important to throw them in the trash — or deal with sewer line repair costs down the road.
Are you guilty of any of these sewer mistakes? Feel free to share your experience with us in the comments section below.