An overflowing sewer is something no one wants to think about, but it’s an experience that over 500,000 people go through every year. Read today’s blog for 6 vital tips and you can help prevent a sewer blockage before it starts!
Keep up with hair
Pick up any hair you see in the shower, even if it seems tedious- rinsing it down the drain will increase the risk of blockages. It’s also helpful to invest in a drain guard to catch hair and other debris like this one.
Mind your towels
Paper towels cannot be flushed, even though they look similar to toilet paper. They are designed to be absorbent and durable to clean up messes around the house. This means they don’t break down easily and that can cause serious blockages. Even if they do break down enough to flush, they still aren’t good for your sewer system!
Look out for trees
Watch for trees growing close to your house or anywhere near your sewer lines (you can keep a note of your sewer line placement with flags or stakes) because their roots go deeper than you think. Tree roots are strong enough to move aside a pipe or even break it completely, leading to an overflow! Schedule a tree removal if needed to keep roots at bay.
Beware of solids
You should not flush anything down the toilet that will not completely dissolve. Yes, even if it’s small, or even if it’s a “bathroom” hygiene product. Tampons, pads, diapers, wipes, ect. should all go in the trash can rather than the toilet. It’s much easier to take out a bag of trash than deal with a sewer blockage or backup! Flushable wipes are also not safe to flush no matter how they are marketed.
Trap your grease
Heat melts grease and turns it into a liquid, but in reality, it is a solid once it cools down again. The temperature of pipes lets this process start and can cause partial or full blockages. Never pour any grease down the sink, no matter how small the amount! You can pour grease into a container like a can if it’s cooled off a little and throw it away. You should also make sure to wipe out pots and pans with paper towels to remove any extra residue.
Weather the storms
This prevention tip is a bonus, because of course no one can control the weather. Heavy rainfall leads to backups in sewer pipes if they can’t drain, and this is also affected by the tips listed above. If you are experience heavy rainfall, or especially any flooding, make sure to keep an extra close eye on your sewers and act quickly at the first sign of trouble.
If you do experience a sewer backup, first, call the Flood Medix! We have a crew of experts who will quickly and efficiently get your house back in order and prevent any further damage. You can also read some of our past blog posts like this one to help you get started!
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