How Often Should Sewer Lines Be Cleaned?

Maintaining your sewer in Jefferson City, MO, ensures a safe, steady flow of wastewater. Your maintenance schedule should include regular drain and sewer line cleaning. Exactly how often should sewer lines be cleaned? 

Superior Sewer Solutions has the answer. In this guide, we’ll share tips for optimum sewer and plumbing care, including effective cleaning methods and how to tell when your sewer line needs cleaning. 

The Importance of Regular Sewer Line Cleaning

Neglecting your sewer lines can lead to serious plumbing problems. Experts recommend investing in regular drain and sewer line cleaning to avoid issues like:

• Foul odors coming from your plumbing fixtures
• Sewage backup in your toilet, sink, and shower
• Sluggish drains
• Gurgling noises within your pipes

All of these indicate a sewer blockage preventing the flow of wastewater. Ignoring the problem will not only make your plumbing fixtures ineffective but can eventually cause irreparable damage to your sewer line. Massive clogs can cause waste to fill in one section of the pipe to the point that it bursts or collapses. 

Three Factors That Influence Your Home’s Sewer and Drain Cleaning Frequency

Ask an expert, “How often should sewer lines be cleaned?” and they’ll tell you that most homeowners need this service every 18 to 24 months. However, you may need to adjust this schedule based on a few different factors. Check out the key components that affect when you’ll need sewer and drain pipe cleaning. 

1. The Age of Your Sewer System

Sewer lines can serve homes for several decades. As they age, these pipes need more extensive maintenance. A licensed plumbing contractor may need to perform a sewer inspection to assess the age and condition of your pipes. 

Sewer lines that are relatively new and in good condition may require less frequent cleaning. If your sewer line is deteriorating, it can be more vulnerable to damage. Experts must take a tailored approach to cleaning these pipes without damaging them. 

2. Threats Nearby Vegetation Pose to Your Sewer Line

How often should sewer lines be cleaned in a yard without any plants or trees? You can put off sewer line cleaning longer when there are no nearby tree roots. Intrusive root systems cause clogged drains since wastewater can’t flow steadily through the sewer line. 

Be mindful of the vegetation on your property. If tree root obstructions become a frequent problem for your sewer system, consider removing the tree for peace of mind. 

3. Your Household’s Plumbing and Drainage Habits

A huge part of wastewater management is keeping a close eye on what you send down your drains. All these materials must pass through your sewer line, so watch out for clog-forming substances. Your sewer line and drains won’t need maintenance as often if you keep the following items out of them:

• Paper towels and napkins
• Foreign objects
• Sanitary products
• Oil, fats, and cooking grease
• Hair
• Large food scraps like animal bones

Place a strainer over your sink and shower drains to prevent unwanted objects like hair and food residue from going down the drain. When it comes to wastewater from your toilets, only flush toilet paper. Even so-called flushable wipes can form a serious clog in your sewer line and leave you dealing with sewage backup. 

How Experts Clean Sewer Lines 

In addition to “How often should sewer lines be cleaned?” one of the most common questions plumbers receive is, “How do you clean a sewer line?” Experts have a few sewer cleaning methods they can deploy, including hydrojetting and snaking the drain. 

Every sewer and drain cleaning service begins with a camera inspection. Plumbers will send a special camera through the sewer line to assess the pipe’s condition and locate blockages. Depending on what they see, they’ll move forward with either an auger, also called a plumbing snake, or a water jetting machine. 

Drain snakes break apart clogs with a long coil that contractors send into the sewer line. Hydrojetting involves blasting pressurized water through the sewer line. The pressure of the water not only clears stubborn clogs but also cleans the inside of the pipes so they last longer. 

Protect Your Sewer Lines With Superior Sewer Solutions

After reading this guide, you don’t have to wonder, “How often should sewer lines be cleaned?” At Superior Sewer Solutions, we’re ready to preserve your wastewater system.

Our experts specialize in everything from cleaning drains to repairing cracked sewer lines and more. Call (573) 301-0141 to request a fair and honest estimate.