Two things are guaranteed to happen to every sewer line, including the main sewer line in your home. These two things will not only affect the performance of your sewer line. They can damage it, explains AIM Management Team. What are these two things? They are buildup inside the pipes and aging.
Every sewer line experiences some level of buildup. It is the natural fallout of the function the sewer line is meant to serve. Buildup inside a sewer line is unavoidable because the wastewater that flows through the line contains debris, and some debris will settle inside the line.
The second thing guaranteed to happen to your sewer line is aging. As sewer lines age, they become fragile and lose their efficiency. That is because of wear and tear and the accumulated stresses of the past years. You can’t stop aging. But you can slow it down.
How do you counter the effects of buildup and aging on your sewer line? Only one solution that is equally effective for removing buildup and slowing aging. That is professional sewer line cleaning. What is professional sewer line cleaning, and how can it help you?
What is professional sewer line cleaning, and why do you need it?
Professional sewer line cleaning is a method used by licensed plumbers to clear grease, sludge and other debris from drainpipes and sewer lines. Unlike DIY drain cleaning methods used by homeowners, professional sewer line cleaning does more than restore the water flow inside the sewer line.
Instead, when a sewer line is cleaned by a professional plumber, the goal is to remove anything inside the line that predisposes it to clogs, blockages and leakage. The ultimate purpose of professional sewer line cleaning is to restore the condition, function and efficiency of the sewer system to its original state.
To achieve its objectives, professional sewer line cleaning uses the following techniques:
Sewer camera inspection
This is an assessment of the sewer line using a specialized camera sent into the sewer line. The live video feed from the camera allows the plumber to do a close-up examination of the inside of the sewer line without digging it up.
Sewer rodding
This method uses 3 ft. long flexible rods, screwed together end-to-end, to access a clogged sewer line and dislodge the debris inside it. It can be used for pipes of all sizes, sinks, toilets and sewer lines. Depending on the severity of the blockage, a sewer rod may be used along with a kinetic water ram to solve the line issues.
Hydrojetting
This advanced drain cleaning method uses pressurized water (and heat, sometimes) to blast away the debris inside a sewer line. Hydro-jetting can remove tree roots, sludge and every kind of buildup. Furthermore, hydro-jetting will flush the debris out of the line and even wash the sewer pipes.
Professional sewer line cleaning is the most effective method for protecting sewer lines from the short-term and long-term effects of buildup and aging. It can be used as a corrective measure to solve sewer line problems or as a preventive maintenance tool to stop buildup.
Does your home need professional sewer line cleaning?
To know if your sewer line needs professional cleaning, check your home for the following problems:
Multiple slow drains
Several slow drains in your home at the same time mean there is a clog inside the sewer line. Since all the drains are connected to the sewer line, issues in the sewer line will show up in the drains.
Persistent drain clogs
Drain clogs and blockages that refuse to go away are a sign that you are treating the symptom, not the cause of the problem. If clogs and blockages are a constant issue, professional sewer line cleaning can fix the problem.
Foul-odors inside the home
Unpleasant smells in your home, especially from the plumbing fixtures, signify severe buildup in the sewer line. The gases enter your house because debris prevents them from escaping through the sewer line.
Gurgling sounds from your plumbing
Gurgling sounds from the plumbing fixtures, especially when you flush a toilet or pour water down the sink, means there is trapped air inside the sewer line. That happens when a sewer line is clogged.
Fruit flies inside your home
Dirty dishes in the sink and overflowing trash can attract fruit flies. But it can also happen if fruit flies feed on organic material inside the sewer line and find their way into the home.
Overflowing toilet
If a toilet is slow or overflowing and there is no blockage in the drainpipes connecting directly to the toilet seat, the problem is usually due to buildup inside the sewer line.
Lastly, even if you don’t have any of the above problems in your home, you still need professional drain cleaning. Using professional drain cleaning as preventive maintenance will help you avoid the above issues and prolong the life of your sewer line.