Whenever you flush the toilet, drain the tub, run the dishwasher, or any other household plumbing task, that wastewater is carried through your pipes and away from your home via the main sewer line that connects to the City sewer.
This connection is also referred to as your lateral sewer or side sewer.
You might think you're only responsible for the plumbing inside your home, but you're also responsible for your main sewer line that connects your home to the public sewer system.
That means you'll want to properly maintain your main sewer line to avoid any potential costly plumbing problems.
First of all, you should know where your main sewer line is located in your yard. This will ensure it is easily accessible in case of emergency. This will also help you avoid planting trees or other plants with extensive root systems that could potentially invade and damage the main sewer line.
Hopefully when your home was built, a sewer cleanout was installed. This allows a plumber to access your main sewer line from outside the home and clean it out or run a sewer camera down it to diagnose any stubborn issues without having to pull a toilet or tear up your yard.
If you don't have a sewer cleanout, you can find the location of your main sewer line by checking your home’s blueprints, either from the original builder or the local building department.
Main sewer line inspections are important if you’re a new homeowner. Before you purchase your home, hire a licensed professional plumber in Springfield, Missouri to give it a look and make sure there are no cracks and leaks.
Your main sewer line is susceptible to several common plumbing problems. The accumulation of debris is a frequent issue. Over time, various materials like hair, soap scum, and other waste can build up within the pipe, leading to clogs and reduced flow efficiency.
To mitigate this, regular sewer line cleaning and being mindful of what you put down the drains is important. Avoid flushing non-biodegradable items and ensure that only toilet paper and human waste go down your toilets.
Grease is another notorious culprit in sewer line blockages. Grease from kitchen activities gets washed down sinks, where it cools and solidifies within the pipes, creating stubborn blockages. The best practice is to dispose of grease in the trash and not down the drain.
Additionally, using strainers in your sinks can prevent larger particles from entering the main sewer line.
Tree roots are attracted to the moisture and nutrients in sewer lines. They can infiltrate tiny cracks or joints in the pipes. Over time, these roots can cause significant damage and blockages.
Regular inspection of your sewer line, especially if you have large trees near your property, can help identify and address root intrusions early on.
Broken lines or offsets, where the pipes are not correctly aligned, are issues that can disrupt your sewer system's functionality. Ground movement, heavy traffic above the ground, or poor installation can lead to these problems. Regular inspections using sewer camera technologies can help detect such issues before they worsen.
A belly in the line, where a section of the pipe sags, is another concern. This sagging creates a low spot that collects waste and disrupts proper drainage. Bellies can result from soil conditions, improper installation, or ground shifting. Again, regular inspections are crucial to identify and rectify such issues.
It's important to recognize warning signs that indicate main sewer line problems. These include slow draining sinks or toilets, gurgling sounds from your drains, unpleasant odors, or water pooling in your yard. If you notice any of these signs, it's time to consult plumbing experts.
While some maintenance and minor repairs can be handled independently, significant issues require professional intervention.
Work with a Springfield, Missouri plumbing company you can trust to help you locate a clog, whether in your side sewer or other drains.
Understanding and maintaining your main sewer line is a key aspect of responsible homeownership. Regular inspections, mindful waste disposal, and prompt professional assistance when needed can prevent significant problems and ensure a smoothly functioning plumbing system.
Side sewers are one of those essential plumbing elements that often go unnoticed until there's a problem, but by knowing what to look out for and how to properly maintain them, will help keep your plumbing running smoothly.
If you ever have any problems with your main sewer line, you can count on our professional Springfield, Missouri plumbers at United Plumbing to diagnose the problem and get everything back to normal.