Many homeowners thought that it is the government’s responsibility to maintain the sewer lateral. Actually, it is the homeowner’s responsibility because the homeowner owns the part of the lateral that extend to the public. Repairing your sewer lateral promptly is important because a deteriorated lateral will allow water in the ground to enter into the system. The following are 6 tips on how to protect your home from sewer backup.
1. Don’t Pour Oil Into the Drain
Many times, people carelessly pour cooking oil into the drain. Oil is not water, it will solidify when it is cooled and clog the drain. Not even a little bit of oil should be dumped into the drain. So, the next time, when you have some leftover cooking oil, don’t dump into the drain. Instead, pour it into the container and dispose of it properly.
2. Don’t Flush Toilet Paper in the Toilet
Paper products also always end up in the sewer. Paper products like diaper, napkin, wipes, and feminine products do not deteriorate quickly. They can cause a lot of problems in the lateral of your property and the city main. You can press a plunger on the toilet to create a suction that dissolves the paper. You can run an auger through the drain to help the toilet paper to dissolve in the drain.
3. Install a Drain Strainer
Leftover food often gets into the drain and cause clogging. It happens when people are washing dishes or food under tap water. To prevent this from happening, you can install drain strainer with tiny holes on the sink. The drain strainer will catch the bigger food. When it is full, you simply detach the drain strainer and throw away the waste food that is accumulated in it.
4. Promptly Cut Tree Roots That Get Into the Lateral
Tree roots are often attracted to sewer lines because they are in search of moisture. They will force into the pipeline and crack it. If you keep seeing tree roots enter into your lateral, make sure you promptly have them cut. Another method is to pour sodium chloride or foaming root killer into the toilet. Before planting a new plant, make sure it is not invading your sewer line.
5. Correct Illegally Connected Pipes
It is illegal to connect the sump pump, French drain, and sump pump to the lateral as it will bring too much water into the sewer. The sewer is not designed to handle excess water volume. Debris and silt will eventually clog your sewer. You should consult a plumber if you need to have any illegal connection corrected.
6. Regularly Clean the Drain
Every month, you should clean your drain by flushing 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of white vinegar into the toilet. If you suspect a problem in your sewer, you can hire a skilled professional to conduct a thorough inspection in the toilet.