Caring For Your Sewer System at Home: Beginner’s Edition

Taking care of your sewer system at home will help you avoid a host of problems. You can avoid leaks, sewage backup, problems in your yard, clogs in your drains, foul smells, and much more.

However, many people have no idea how to care for their sewer system at home. That’s not surprising since the pipes and sewer lines are hidden behind walls, under sinks, and underground outside your home.

Also, your sewage system isn’t a pleasant thing to think about. You have work, family obligations, and free time to have fun – why worry about your sewer?

Very simply, taking care of your sewer will help you save time and money while keeping everyone in your home healthy.

Understand How Your Sewer System Works

Your sewer system is the part of your plumbing that takes wastewater out of your home. From your drains and toilet, wastewater goes down through a u-shaped trap and out of your house. The trap has standing water in it to prevent sewer gas from coming into your home.

The system works entirely based on gravity – nothing is forced. It flows out of your house at the level of your foundation and then joins the main sewer line run by the city. If you don’t have a connection to a city sewer, it goes to a septic system.

Understanding your home wastewater system can help you detect and prevent problems that can happen. Here are a few to watch out for.

Check For Leaks

As water leaves your home through your pipes, there is always a chance for cracks or leaks to form. Sometimes pipes rust or a plumbing joint might weaken over time. These issues cause leaks that can damage your home.

Some leaks are easy to find. You might hear a consistent drip, or perhaps the leak is so severe that it causes immediate flooding or damage in your home. However, the most dangerous leaks are the ones that are hard to find.

A slow leak or undetected problem can go on for weeks or months, causing mould, mildew, and other health issues. You or your family may get sick and not know why. Over time, the wood in your walls can saturate and weaken, making your house dangerous.

To find leaks, check your pipes under sinks and in the basement regularly. Look for rust, moisture, standing water, or drips. You should also check for mould.

If you find any problems, contact the best plumbers in Toronto to address the issue. It’s worth it!

Handle Clogs Quickly

Do you have a drain that drains slowly? Or is there a sink or tub that seems to not drain at all? If so, you probably have a clog in your home sewer system.

A clog can be dangerous not just because it causes water to move slowly. The debris causing the problem can also build up mould, bacteria, and odours. Depending on where the clog is in your system, you may have a backup in your sink, tub, or basement.

A blockage also causes pressure on your pipes which can cause them to crack, leak, or even burst. As a result, you should handle clogs as soon as you notice them.

Many homeowners use a chemical drain cleaner to remove blockages, but that can be dangerous. While the chemicals do eat away at the debris, eventually clearing it, it can also eat away at the pipes. When the pipes weaken, you can get leaks.

Instead, use a plunger or call a qualified plumber.

Keep an Eye on Your Yard

The final place to watch as you care for your sewer system at home is your yard. Your sewer pipes leave your house underground and connect to the main sewer line or septic system. If you notice a place where the grass is much greener than the rest of your yard, you may have a sewer leak in that spot.

It’s difficult to detect problems with underground sewer lines from the outside. You can keep an eye out for standing water, bad odours, or unusual pests. However, the best way to keep your outdoor sewer line in good condition is to work with a plumber.

It’s important to have an annual inspection of your plumbing system, which will include your wastewater and drains. They will be able to use cameras and other tests to see if there are any weaknesses in your home sewer system.

With this information, they can suggest repairs or let you know if there are significant concerns. Catching a problem early is the only way to make sure it gets fixed before it causes serious damage.

Care For Your Home Sewer System

With proper maintenance, you can keep your home sewer system flowing smoothly for years to come. You will have to put some money into repairs from time to time, but it’s far better than dealing with a sewage backup or leak!

Take care of all the systems in your home, even the ones you can’t see. You’ll be glad you did!

Author

Katrina is a hardworking individual who always gives her best. As a degree holder, she aspires to establish within the media industry. Expert in building online partnership, she’s been working in digital marketing services, Local SEO Search Inc. for several years.

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