Sewer Maintenance

What are the Causes of Sewer-Backups?

There are several things that could cause sewer back-ups and they are not all due to dirty pipes.  Sometimes they are, but not always. 

• Roots 
• Bellied Piping 
• Grease 

DRAINS CLEANING

Drains cleaning is very important. As a good preventive measure you should have your sewer lines cleaned every 18-22 months.  If you are experiencing problems more often than that, you may need to call a plumber and schedule a video inspection of your pipes.

HOW TO CHECK SEWER-BACKUPS?

Your plumber will insert a video camera down through your pipes to help visually determine what other issues may be causing your sewer back-ups.  That CCTV survey will then enable him to make the proper recommendation for whichever repair is necessary to correct the problem.

As a homeowner, you know that things can and will go wrong in your home.  And sometimes those things couldn’t possibly have been foreseen. Which is quite often the case when it comes to your sewer lines.

Your sewer lines are hidden; therefore, it’s hard to recognize when and if there’s a problem.  This makes it even more important that you have some knowledge about what signs to look if you want to prevent a potential disaster, and quite possibly, higher repair or replacement costs.

Learning how often to have your drains and sewer lines cleaned, the signs that indicate you may have a problem and what your options are once you do discover a problem, will help you make a more educated decision about what your needs are and how to go about having the repairs completed.

Causes of Sewer-Backups

There are several things that could cause sewer back-ups and they are not all due to dirty pipes.  Sometimes they are, but not always.

• Roots: Tree roots penetrating your pipes are the number one cause associated with sewer back-ups.  The roots grow into the pipes and will continue to grow until they fill the pipes completely.  Or, in many cases, the roots will break the pipes, creating an even bigger problem. A video inspection will help confirm if you have tree roots growing in your pipes.
• Bellied Piping: A bellied pipe is simply a sag in your pipe.  A sag can occur when part of your pipe slopes down, which creates a “belly” effect.  This is usually caused when the soil around your pipe becomes loose and breaks, making the soil around your pipe unstable and allowing it to sink.  Over time, a bellied pipe will allow waste to accumulate at the bellied part of the pipe, which in turn will create a blockage. A video inspection will tell your plumber all he needs to know and how to proceed with the proper repair.
• Grease: Grease is a pipes worst enemy.  Many homeowners casually pour their old, used grease from cooking down the drain.  This is the worst thing you could do. That grease will eventually turn solid which creates a blockage in your pipes.  If this happens, you will need to have your pipes high pressure water jetted.

For more information give our office a call on 01189888288 or visit us at thamesvalleydrainage.co.uk