Sewer line leaks are terrible in so many ways. First, they may be hard to detect at first because your sewer line is underground. Second, the sewage that comes from a leak is a health hazard and can contaminate the fresh water that comes into your home. This can make you and the members of your household sick. Third, the smell of a broken sewer line is not only terrible, but the very gas is also unhealthy to breathe. Therefore, it’s crucial to try to prevent sewer line leaks. You’ll need to call in a professional plumber if you suspect a leak, but there are things you can do to lower the risk of leaks happening.
Don’t Plant Trees Around the Sewer Line
All trees need water and nutrients, but there are some trees that are especially greedy for them. The perfect place to get water and nutrients is a sewer line, and there are trees that are notorious for infiltrating pipes with feeder roots the width of human hairs. These trees include willows, black gums and some species of maple. When pipes get clogged with these tiny roots, they can burst. The remedy is to not plant any trees or shrubs near your sewer line.
Flush Only Toilet Paper
“Flush only toilet paper” can’t be said enough. Toilet paper is made to dissolve in sewer lines and septic tanks. This is not true of any other type of paper, including facial tissue and paper towels. Even items that come with labels that say they’re flushable should not be flushed down the toilet. Like tree roots, items that aren’t flushable cause clogs that can eventually lead to leaks. Even if the pipe isn’t cracked, clogs lead to very noisome backups and slow drains.
You should also make sure that oils and grease aren’t sent down the drain whether they’re from cooking, hair care or other hygiene. Put in a drain catcher to catch hair and other debris.
Add Extra Protection to the Pipes
If the soil around your sewer line is unstable, it can cause the pipe to shift. This can cause it to break and leak. Call a professional to have the pipe protected against soil movement and other conditions such as low areas.
Have a Backwater Valve Installed
To make sure that sewage doesn’t return to your home in case of a backup or a breakage, call a professional to have a backwater valve installed. There are places where backwater valves are prohibited, so double-check before you have one installed at your home.
Call Us for More Information on Preventing Sewer Line Leaks
Sewer line leaks present a health hazard and are expensive to fix. To learn more about how to prevent these leaks or to request leak detection, call our professionals at Advanced Plumbing & Leak Detection of Ventura, CA.
