Sewer Drains and what you need to Know

You probably know that a sewer drain transports waste water from your property to the main sewers underground. But what else do you know besides that? If something were to happen to your drain, you won’t be able to find out what’s wrong unless you actually understand what is going on. A better understanding of sewer drains will help you determine if you can take care of it yourself, or if you require sewer drain repair services. Here is everything you need to know about sewer drains.

How Your Home’s Sewage System Works

All waste water goes down the drains, and all drains lead to a main sewage line. From there, the sewage line divides itself into smaller branches of pipes called secondary lines. You can think of your home’s sewage system as a tree with a trunk (main line) that runs out of the house, and branches (secondary lines) that shoot off of them.

Both the main and secondary lines are only able to accommodate water and liquid wastes. Anything solid that goes down the drain may not necessarily pass through the pipes without any obstruction. Solid wastes usually get stuck somewhere along the lines and cause a blockage. Among the most common causes of drain clogging are paper towels, thick toilet paper, and feminine hygiene products. Roots of growing trees are also common obstructions to pipes and often crush them beyond breaking point.

Sewer drains are found in sinks, toilets, bathtubs, bathrooms floors, and basements. They take away waste water from these places towards the sewers through a series of pipes. You will know when something is wrong with one or more of your drains if they start making odd sounds or if they adversely influence one another. A percolating toilet is usually a sign that there is something wrong with your toilet’s drainage system. If water comes out of the floor drain in your basement after using the sink, that’s another sign something is not right with your drainage.

How to Deal with Clogged Drains

Before you hire sewer drain repair services from a plumbing company, there are two things you can do to help relieve the pressure on your pipes and prevent them from giving in. One way is to shut off the main water source if you suspect a clog along the main sewer line. Another approach is to take off the cleanout cap on your sewer cleanout line. If you have access to it to relieve pressure, then you can stop the water from backing up to other drains and send water outside your home. The cleanout line usually looks like a short and round white pipe with a rubber cleanout cap. It is often located in the yard near the house.

How to Prevent Drain Clogging

The easiest way to prevent the clogging of your drains is to fill your sinks to the top and then drain them completely. Do this at least once or twice each month. This ensures the proper flow of waste water down the drains and through the pipes. It also removes any waste that may have been left behind.

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