Regular maintenance of the sewer system connected to your property prevents costly repairs, protects your property value, and protects the environment. This guide covers essential maintenance practices, warning signs of problems, and preventive measures every property owner should know.

Firstly you should understand what the sewer comprises. The sewer system connected to your property consists of different lateral lines extending from your building all the way to the main sewer line; cleanouts, vents, and trap sets make this up. Most instances show that responsibility for the operation of the whole lateral line normally falls upon a property owner themselves, while maintenance of the major sewer line usually falls to municipal governments.

Now that you have a basic idea of the basics, here are the steps to incorporate into your scheduled property maintenance to protect your section of the sewer system…

Regular Inspections

Have sewer lines inspected by professionals every 18-24 months. Video inspection technology available to plumbing professionals looks at the inside and outside of your pipes for signs of would-be major problems before they start. This is effective in early detection of root intrusion, pipe deterioration, misaligned joints, or blockages in the piping systems.

Proper Disposal Practices

What you put down your drains significantly impacts your sewer system’s health. Never dispose of:

• Cooking grease, oils, or fats* – “Flushable” wipes (despite marketing claims, these don’t break down properly)
• Paper towels or feminine hygiene products
• Coffee grounds or eggshells
• Paint, chemicals, or pharmaceuticals

* For cooking grease, collect it in a container and dispose of it in your regular waste bin. Install strainers in all drains to catch food particles and other debris.

Tree Root Management

Tree roots are the most common culprits of sewer line damage. If you have trees near your sewer lines, inspect their growth and only plant new trees with their proximity in mind. As a rule of thumb, trees should be no closer than 10 feet to sewer lines; the larger the species, the farther away it should be. Copper sulfate treatments every six months can reduce the root growth near sewer lines. However, before the usage of chemical treatment consult professionals, because your landscaping could get affected by chemical effects and secondly this process is prohibited under laws of certain places.

Professional Cleaning

You are supposed to schedule cleaning services every 2-3 years or even more often when you have older pipes or a history of problems. Professional cleaning methods include hydro-jetting, the process of shooting high-pressure water through the inside of the pipes, removing years of buildup and debris from the walls to restore full flow capacity. This works best to remove grease buildup and mineral deposits. Snaking, another popular method, on the other hand, can clean out most blockages and is gentler on older pipes than hydro-jetting, though this might be less effective at cleaning pipe walls.

Look out for Warning Signs

The key to preventing very costly sewer emergencies is early detection. Look for the following warning signs:

• Slow Drains – Multiple slow or gurgling drains-especially those that serve lower-level fixtures-may indicate a growing blockage inside your main sewer line. Various drains exhibiting independent issues would indicate multiple blockages instead, but many impacted fixtures mean that there’s probably one massive blockage affecting them.
• Unusual Odours – Sewer gas odours in or around your property could be an indication of a possible ventilation problem or a pipe break. The gases coming from the sewer are more than just terrible; they are dangerous and must be checked out immediately.
• Wet Spots in Yard – Patches of grass that are greener than usual or marshy spots in your yard, particularly around the area where your sewer line runs, could be symptoms of a pipe leak. These leaks can create sinkholes and foundation problems if left unaddressed.

Backup Prevention

A backwater valve can be installed to prevent sewage from backing up into your property during heavy rains or when there’s a problem with the municipal sewer. This relatively inexpensive device can save thousands in potential damage and cleanup costs.

Maintenance for Different Property Types

Single-Family Homes: Stress routine cleaning of kitchen and bathroom drains due to highest usage. Where hard water may be a factor, using water softeners could help combat mineral buildup inside the pipes to prevent the reduced diameter of piping over time.

Multi-Unit Properties: Convey expectations for proper use of drains with your renters. Consider professional cleaning because usage will also be higher. Commercial-grade strainers installed in all units.

Commercial Properties If you have food service facilities implement grease trap maintenance programs. Schedule high traffic restroom facilities more often. Consider enzymatic drain treatments as part of regular maintenance of drains.

Emergency Preparedness

Maintain a relationship with a local plumbing service that will provide emergency response service on a 24/7 basis. Know the location of your main sewer cleanout and your shutoff valve. Have the following basic tools on hand:

• A plumber snake for minor clogs
• Water removal wet/dry vacuum
• Emergency plumbing services contact information
• Your municipal sewer department’s emergency number

Preventative Measures

Preventive measures are always less costly than emergency repairs:

Annual Maintenance Contracts – Many plumbing companies offer maintenance contracts that will include regular inspections and priority emergency service at lower rates. Detailed records should be kept regarding all inspections, repairs, and maintenance activities. This will facilitate the analysis of patterns for scheduling maintenance and be quite useful for prospective owners.

Insurance Considerations – Review your property insurance policy to see what sewer-related damages are covered under the policy. Consider adding sewer backup coverage if it’s not included in your standard policy. Regular inspections of the condition of the sewer can be useful in documenting its condition for possible insurance claims.

Professional Help

Good practice in the employment of plumbing professionals is to first check their license and insurance, ask about the warranty of works undertaken, and request references from similar properties. Before the commencement of any works, detailed written estimates are to be sought, and this should ensure the contractor obtains any major works necessary permission.

Conclusion:

These maintenance measures, if observed correctly, will greatly help property owners reduce the risk of serious sewer problems, protect their investment, and protect the environment. Regular maintenance may be costly, but it is far less expensive than emergency repairs or property damage resulting from sewer failures.