Cleaning your sewer system is generally not high on your list of regular home maintenance. But it should be. When your household sewer system functions as intended, your sinks drain freely, your toilets flush cleanly and your garbage disposal removes organic debris with a push of a button. When they don’t, it could mean you have a problem with your sewer system that requires the attention of a professional plumber, like Southwest Florida plumbing company Avis Plumbing.
Why cleaning your sewer system is important
Simply put, clogs happen. Sewer clogs can develop from any number of things — grease build-up, mineral deposits, soap scum, hair, toothpaste, tree roots. If a clog develops in your household sewer system, cleaning your sewer system is your responsibility. Clogs that develop in a municipality’s main sewer line are the city’s responsibility. Regular maintenance can minimize or even prevent both from happening.
How to tell when your sewer system needs cleaning
Sluggish drains, a foul odor, and a clogged toilet are all signs that cleaning your sewer system is in order. In particular, if multiple drains in your home are sluggish, that may signal a sewer problem instead of a fixture problem. If multiple fixtures are affected, for instance if water backs up into your tub or shower when you flush the toilet or your toilet overflows if you run your washing machine, your sewer system needs cleaning. If the water in your toilet bubbles up when you turn on your bathroom faucet, you have air trapped in your plumbing system — also a sign of a clogged sewer.
What to do if you have a sewer clog
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of a clogged sewer line, shut off the main water supply to your house immediately. Your quick reaction here could save you an unpleasant clean-up later. At this point, we suggest you call us at 239-542-4421 to have your sewer cleaned by our professionals.
How to check your sewer system clean out
If you are so inclined, you can check your sewer clean out before calling us at 239-542-4421 to clean your sewer system. Your sewer clean out is located somewhere along the lateral sewer line to your home. It is a pipe with a cap on it. It provides access to your sewer line for the purpose of cleaning out blockages. You may even have more than one sewer clean out installed in your system. The cap can be removed with a twisting motion, although some caps require using a wrench. A plumbing snake or auger can then be inserted to clean out the sewer clog.
How the Avis Plumbing professionals will clean your sewer system
Although a visual inspection of your sewer clean out may reveal the location of your sewer clog, we will conduct a sewer video inspection. It is the best way to diagnose a sewer problem. We can then recommend the most effective solution. One method of sewer line cleaning that is often the most inexpensive and successful is hydro-jetting. As its name implies, hydro-jetting is the process of using water under pressure sprayed through a multi-hole nozzle on the hydro-jet hose.
Maintaining your clean sewer system
Hydro-jetting is also useful as a preventative measure, leaving your sewer lines working as if they were brand new! A few other points to remember in maintaining your home’s sewer and drainage system:
- Keep the area around your sewer clean out(s) free of debris and easily accessible.
- Do not put grease, coffee grounds, eggshells, potato peelings, bones, or other fibrous material down your garbage disposal.
- Use a mesh drain cover in your bathroom sinks and tubs/showers to reduce the accumulation of hair and soap scum.
- Despite what they advertise to the contrary – wet wipes are NOT flushable, always throw them in the garbage can. This also applies to feminine hygiene products – always trash, not flush.
Call Avis, the preferred Cape Coral plumber, today at 239-542-4421 to keep your sewer line clean and water flowing.
No Comment