Homeowners generally pay close attention to their plumbing and when they have leaky pipes or clogged drains, but they rarely think about how important their home sewer lines are. Sewer lines are usually out of sight and out of mind, so people rarely consider the fact that they require just as much maintenance and repairs as the rest of a home plumbing system. Unfortunately, there are also plenty of myths surrounding professional sewer repair, myths that often lead people to avoid having the repairs their sewer lines often need. Here are just a few of the more common myths that can lead to trouble.
Myth #1: Repairing a Sewer Line Involves Digging Up Your Driveway or Yard
There was a time when this myth was true. In order to gain access to a sewer line, professionals had to first dig the line up. This would practically destroy a home’s yard or driveway, so homeowners were reluctant to actually call somebody to repair their home sewer lines. These days, many sewer repairs can be done with little to no digging. Professionals that utilize this trenchless sewer repair first use a sewer inspection camera to see the inside of a sewer line to diagnose any damages. Next, they line the pipe with epoxy resin to create a pipe-within-a-pipe. This lining prevents tree branches from breaking through the line and prevents calcification from taking hold. It’s an easy, efficient way to repair a sewer line without doing unnecessary damage to your property.
Myth #2: Damage to Sewer Lines is Rare
The reason for this myth goes back to the fact that sewer lines are often out of sight and out of mind. While it may be true that an underground sewer line won’t see as many problems as the pipes and drains inside your home, they are still prone to things like corrosion, obstructions from tree branches or clogs caused by flushing the wrong materials.
The truth is that over 5 million water and sewer line emergencies occur in any given year, so sewer line problems are more common than many people realize. They can be expensive to repair as well, so make sure you call a repair professional if you even suspect that you have a problem with your sewer line.
Myth #3: Anything Can Be Sent Into a Sewer Line Safely
Some people tend to treat their toilets and other drains as all-purpose garbage disposals, but the truth is that relatively few things should be going into your home sewer line. Many substances such as cooking grease and any paper product that isn’t toilet paper can create some seriously bad clogs, while things such as unused medications and pesticides can actually be harmful to the environment. Cooking grease and oils should be thrown in the trash, and many communities have “take back” programs for unused chemicals and medications that are too dangerous to do down the drain or in a dumpster. As a rule, try not to flush anything or wash it down the drain if you aren’t absolutely sure it’s safe to do so.
A problem with your home sewer system is nothing to ignore. With over 25 years of experience fixing and repairing sewer pipes throughout the Pittsburgh area, Mister Sewer is your local sewer line expert. The team at Mister Sewer takes the time to discover an efficient and affordable solution to your home’s sewer problems. Don’t let your sewer pipe become an afterthought, call Mister Sewer today!