An Important Part of Your Home
There are several main components important to your Marietta, Georgia home. The electricity, plumbing, foundation, and roofing. These are things you either use every day like electricity and plumbing. Then there are the things you know are there, every day, doing their job, like the foundation and roof. But what about the sewer line, sewer line repair, and the maintenance that is so important for this component of your home?
Where are sewer lines located?
When you purchase your home, there are 3 things you need to locate immediately. The circuit breaker box, the main water cutoff, and the sewer line. Here are two ways how to locate the main sewer line:
- In Your House: Start in the basement or crawlspace, and search for a typically 4” diameter white post with a screw cap with either a square knob or notch on top. If not in the basement or crawlspace, look in the garage. If you don’t find one, it isn’t unusual for some homes not to have one.
- In Your Yard: If you don’t find the main sewer line in any of those places, check your yard. Exterior sewer line access points are typically located close to your foundation or close to the street. The sewer line is typically sticking up from the ground, it should be easily spotted. Some homes have a buried sewer clean out, so search around closest to the ground floor bathroom.
How do you maintain a sewer line?
Here are seven things you can do for main and secondary sewer line maintenance that can minimize the possibility of needing expensive sewer line repairs :
- Minimize the amount of food going down the kitchen drain
- Keep Non-Food items out of the drains
- Use single-ply toilet paper
- Set the toilets to a high-volume flush
- Keep tree roots directed away from plumbing
The following instructions will step-by-step flush your home’s plumbing system:
- STEP ONE: Turn all hot water taps on and allow to run for 15 minutes. This includes all sinks, showers, and tubs.
- STEP TWO: Turn on all cold water taps for 5 minutes
- STEP THREE: Once the hot water tank has emptied and flushed hot water through the piping, turn on all cold water taps again and flush every toilet once. Let the cold water run another 5 minutes then turn all the water off throughout your home.
- NOTE: Follow the owner’s manual for flushing all water-based appliances like dishwashers, ice makers, washing machines, etc.
For a natural way to flush your sewer lines, pour one cup of baking soda and one cup of white vinegar down each drain. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then flush with hot water.
What is sewer line cleaning?
When the drains are clogged, the first initial step is to call a plumber for sewer line cleaning and possible sewer line repair. Before you max out that credit card or empty your bank account, follow these steps how to unclog a sewer line yourself:
- One: Using a pipe wrench, loosen the sewer drain line cap.
- Two: Open the cap the rest of the way so the buildup can drain out completely before taking the next step.
- Three: Feed an auger cable or plumber’s snake into the drainpipe, package instructions. Once you feel the auger or snake has gone as far as possible, stop.
- Four: Run the auger to clear the clog and beyond. You’ll know this has happened when the water level decreases in the drainpipe. Keep going for a bit longer to make sure any smaller pockets of clogs are elsewhere.
- Five: With the auger in the drain, put the garden hose down the drainpipe and spray at full blast.
- Six: Pull the auger out slowly, little by little, hosing off as you pull it out. Then replace the cap on the drainpipe.
If you’re still having problems with clogged drains, you’ll need to make that phone call to a professional plumber. You may need sewer line repair beyond what these steps can clean.
Why do sewer lines back up?
The main cause of sewer line backup is flushing things down toilets that shouldn’t be, including diapers, feminine hygiene products, and personal wipes, and often in homes with children, small toys are flushed.
Another common problem that clogs sewer lines and will always end up needing sewer line repairs is tree roots. Tree roots seek moisture, that’s what keeps the trees green and growing. All sewer lines will have some moisture, and when tree roots sense that moisture, they grow towards it and bust through any cracks or holes. This will either clog the sewer line or bust it and you’ll need a sewer line repair job.
Can a sewer line freeze?
Yes, water will freeze in a sewer line when the ground falls to 32 degrees or lower for any extended period of time. As the water freezes, it expands and can cause the sewer line to burst, resulting in a sewer line repair job.
How long do PVC sewer lines last?
PVC pipes in general do not get brittle and PVC sewer lines have been known to last up to 50 years. However, if the ground shifts a lot, it can cause them to break, which will require sewer line repair and/or replacement.
In Conclusion – Insurance On Sewer Line Repairs and Damage
You pay monthly premiums. You expect it to be there when you need it, right? So, is sewer line damage covered by homeowner’s insurance? The pipe repair itself is not going to be covered by your homeowner’s insurance.
However, it may cover anything damaged by a busted sewer line, like new flooring. Check your policy and review it with your agent to see what type of coverage you have.