Importance of the Sewer Line and Its Maintenance
As responsible homeowners, we all try to address our periodic duties of home maintenance. However, during this process, how many of us think about getting the sewer line cleaned?
The sewer line only catches our attention when there is a floor drain backing up so that foul, sewage-laden water spreads over the floor. It is only when there is a clog in a toilet, sink, or other plumbing fixtures, that we resort to a plunger or drain snake. This is the time when most of thank our starts for those 24 hour plumber services, like those in North Shore, Chicago.
According to Mikes Chicago Plumbing, expert North Shore plumbers, tree root intrusion, grease accumulation or pipe scale build-ups are the most common causes of residential main sewer lines backup. Regular cleaning of the sewer line will protect the house from any potential damage that sewer line problems can cause.
What is the Sewer Line?
You should know that a home’s plumbing system is designed such that waste from every sink, toilet and shower in the house is carried by a single pipe, called the sewer line, to a septic tank or the municipal sewer lines.
Most plumbing fixtures have curved “trap” sections that hold a little water and form an airtight seal so that those foul-smelling gases don’t spread back to the home. The trap in the toilet keeps the water standing in the bowl. It is an important component of the drain, since it prevents sewer gases from coming back into the house.
Another major component of a home’s drainage system is the vents, which have their opening through the roof and allow water to pass out of the drains easily.
The sewer line should have an accessible clean out. In the absence of a clean out, it can become really hard for a plumber, even from an expert sewer service, to get at the sewer line. It thus becomes highly necessary for every homeowner to know where the main drain clean-out fitting is located.
How to Find the Underground Sewer Line
Digging up to find the sewer line might seem like the only option. However, those who have just moved to the property can get feel clueless about where to dig. Most home buyers make the mistake of not asking about important utility information, such as where the sewer line is placed, from the previous owner, which creates problems for them afterwards, says an expert from a North Shore plumbing service.
Even if they are able to figure out where the sewer line is, they have absolutely no idea of where it connects with the city’s line.
There are some wise homeowners who ask their neighbours about the sewer line placement, since they might have witnessed some kind of maintenance previously, and where their own line ties in to the municipal system.
The good news is that you do not need to dig up the entire yard to find the sewer line. There are some latest methods that can suit the purpose. 24 Hour plumbers in North Shore, Chicago, suggest that it would be wise for a home buyer to get the sewer line inspected with a camera before they buy the home, which should include locating the venting pipes.
