When it comes to plumbing, most people have heard the saying “You don’t want to go down the drains!” It’s not because they’re particularly gross or unsanitary, but rather because drains are generally more difficult to clean out than the pipes above ground. Sewer drains are often filled with debris, grease build-ups, and other materials that make it difficult for water to flow through them – not to mention that they’re often hidden underground, making them even more difficult to access. It is estimated that about 70% of all home sewer pipes are undersized and require repair or replacement before the end of their service life. While that might sound scary, don’t worry! The good news is that if your home has a common sewer drain, you can fix almost all problems without having to dig up your backyard. Keep reading for more information about common sewer drain problems and how to fix them!
One of the most common issues with sewer drains is excessive rust build-up due to the nature of untreated or poorly treated water being discharged into the system. This can be very harmful to the pipes as it can lead to massive clogs and a costly sewer cleaning session. If this happens to you, you will need to call a professional for professional assistance as sandblasting is the only way to remove the rust build-up from your pipes.While sandblasting might sound like something you’d want to avoid at all costs, it is important to note that this method of cleaning actually poses a lower risk of damaging the pipes than other methods. For example, if you try to use a chemical cleaner without the help of a professional, it could cause major damage to your drains and pipe system. The chemicals in these chemicals are very corrosive, and if left unchecked, can lead to the pipes collapsing and leaking.
Another common issue with sewer drains is clogged drains that require the use of a plunger. While this may seem like a quick fix, it’s actually not that simple. Once the clog is cleared, the pipes will need time to dry and re-seal themselves, which can take anywhere from a few days to weeks. This means that if you have a clogged sewer drain that requires a plunger, you will need to be patient until the pipes are clean enough again to use water without causing damage.While a plunger can be a very effective way to clear a clogged sewer drain quickly, it’s important to remember to only use this technique in the dry season when there’s no risk of flooding (and the risk of flooding is a common cause of sewer drains getting clogged). Using a plunger during the wet season (when there’s a risk of flooding) puts you and your family at risk of drowning and can cause major damage to the pipes.
Another common issue with sewer drains is the build-up of fats and greases. While these materials are not harmful to the pipes themselves, they can make it difficult to flush the toilet and cause back-ups. While it may seem like a simple fix to simply flush the toilet harder, this actually does more harm than good. What you should do instead is to simply avoid putting fats and greases down the toilet (and instead use a bar of soap to scrub your hands in the bathroom). If this issue is still an issue, you may want to consider installing an underground trap or a trap-valve to help keep fats and greases from going down the drains.Trap-valves are an underground sewer system modification. They’re installed in the sewer line at the home’s connection to the main sewage system and prevent fats and greases from entering the main line. While this may seem like a drastic measure, it can be an effective way to keep fats and greases from getting into your drains.
These are just a few common problems that can arise with sewer drains. While these issues might seem like they are easy to solve, they can become very complicated and require the skills of a professional to fix. If you suspect that your drains need some attention, don’t hesitate to call a professional! They can help you identify the issues with your sewer drains, and then fix them quickly and efficiently so that you can get back to enjoying your home.