A sewer line is a piping system which is used by a city or town to control waste disposal. There are two types of drains, namely sanitary and storm drains. The latter takes care of rain and ground water while the former comes from sources such as the toilet and wash drains.
Every house or building is linked to this central system and whatever runs through it ends up at a processing plant or back into the rivers and streams.
Homeowners are most focused on how this system affects them.
Sewer Problems
Overall it’s a very convenient way for people to get rid of very distasteful waste, which would otherwise be a very unpleasant experience.
In fact, it’s one of the services that will be noticed quite quickly if it’s not there anymore, though a homeowner doesn’t always think about it. When the system fails and the process starts reversing, it becomes a very big problem.
For renters and owners alike, the first sign of a blocked sewer is the smell. Everything in the surrounding neighborhood is usually affected by the aroma of only one main sewer.
This means that in concentrated spaces, such as the backyard of a home, it can really be uncomfortable. Even worse, if the pipes are damaged and need to be repaired then the smell becomes the least of the problem.
Why Sewers Get Clogged
There are a number of reasons why sewers get blocked. For example, when obstructive materials such as diapers and towels are flushed down the toilet, then it can cause a major block. These obstructions might move a little bit down the line, but they do eventually stop and create problems.
Tree roots and old pipes are also great examples of causes of blockage, because if the pipes are vulnerable then the roots can create a solid obstruction.
In some cases the pipes just weren’t properly installed.
How to Unblock the Pipes
The correct approach to unclogging sewer pipes is going to depend on the problem. Everyday blockages can be fixed easily with some drain cleaner and a plunger.
The moment they stop being effective, more excessive tactics are necessary. Luckily there are some handy tools that can be used when the problem runs deeper than expected, but they aren’t always easy to use.
The worst case scenario is when a homeowner needs to start digging in order to find the problem, which usually leads to pipe replacement.
Ultimately it’s much better to prevent the problem, given the nature of the waste involved. However, if prevention doesn’t work then a professional plumber can always be called to handle it.
This is very important when pipes need to be replaced or repaired, because if something goes wrong it can become an even bigger and more expensive mess.