Excerpt: Do you know how to maintain a healthy home sewer line to prevent damage and messy backups? This article will outline a few simple steps you can take to protect your home’s sewer line and avoid plumbing problems.

Your sewer line is an important component of your Flagstaff home’s plumbing system. The sewer line is responsible for transporting wastewater away from your home so it can be treated by a city sewage plant. Problems with your sewer line can cause backups into your home or flooding in your yard, resulting in property damage and extensive plumbing repairs. Maintaining a healthy sewer line isn’t difficult and will prevent a significant amount of stress and damage.

Watch What (and Where) You Plant

Sewer lines are vulnerable to questing plant roots as they search for water. Roots can work their way into the plumbing pipes as they seek water and other nutrients in the soil, which can cause cracks or sewage backups. You can prevent these problems by taking care with the plants you place in your yard. Find out where your sewer line runs, and avoid planting trees or shrubs with deep or widespread root systems in these areas. Grasses, flowers, and plants with shallow or short root systems are safe to plant above your sewer line when landscaping your yard—check with your plumber for more information about which plants to use or avoid near your sewer line.

Install Lint Traps and Drain Covers

Lint, hair, and other debris are washed into your sewer line through everyday use of your plumbing. Over time, these materials can build up into stubborn clogs that affect your sewer line’s ability to transport wastewater, putting you at risk for a sewage backup. Installing a lint trap on your washing machine’s discharge hose can prevent laundry lint from building up in your plumbing—however, you’ll need to remember to clean out the filter periodically to prevent problems with the hose. In your bathrooms, mesh drain covers will prevent hair and other similarly-sized debris from swirling down your tub and shower drains. Remove and dump out the drain cover after bathing, then replace it for the best results.

Have Your Sewer Line Inspected and Cleaned

Because your sewer line sits out of sight beneath your yard, it can be difficult to spot problems if they develop slowly over time. Even when you take steps prevent sewer line issues, it’s important to have your sewer line inspected and cleaned by a professional plumber once every two to three years. A professional inspection will ensure that your sewer line is clear and intact, while cleaning will remove any clogs that may be forming before they can become a bigger problem.

Protecting and maintaining your home’s sewer line will result in decades of problem-free function. If you have questions or concerns about your sewer line or another aspect of your home’s plumbing, visit our website to contact a professional plumber or request an appointment in Yavapai, Coconino, or Maricopa County. You’ll find additional tips and advice on maintaining your home’s plumbing systems on our blog.