High on the list of experiences that nobody wants to have is a sewer backup or overflow. Fortunately, this experience can usually be avoided by being aware of what causes backups and avoiding those causes. The two primary causes of sewer backups and overflows are grease and roots.
Flushable Wipes aren’t really flushable!
It’s simple, the toilet is only meant to flush the three Ps—pee, poop and paper. Human waste and toilet paper should be the only things going down the toilet. Unfortunately, over the years, people have turned the toilet into a trash can. From wipes, medications and sanitary products to deceased pet fish and cigarette butts, if it fits, people flush it. Flushing these types of items down the toilet causes home pipes to clog, wastes water (up to 5 gallons of water every time you flush) and most importantly can have a huge impact on our sewers, and not to mention our ocean.
To learn about what other items should be kept out of the sewer system please visit www.What2Flush.com. View additional What2Flush resources.
Learn from the Responsible Flushing Alliance.
No Drugs Down the Drain!
Medicines that are flushed or poured down the drain can end up polluting our waters, impacting aquatic species, and contaminating our food and water supplies. Most medicines are not removed by wastewater treatment plants or septic systems. Scientists have found medicines in the surface, ground, and marine waters as well as soils and sediments in the Pacific Northwest. Even at very low levels, medicines in the environment hurt aquatic life. Using a medicine take-back program is a simple, sensible way to reduce the number of medicines entering the environment.
To learn more read the Pharmaceutical Fact Sheet.
Take unused or expired medication to a household hazardous waste collection center or event, or; put in a sturdy, securely sealed container, then in a trash can where children and animals can’t reach them.
Grease is the most frequent cause of sewer problems. If cooking grease or oil is poured down the drain or flushed down toilets, even when followed by hot water, it eventually cools down, congeals, builds up, and hardens, eventually forming a plug in both home and District sewer lines. Over time, this situation creates backups and overflows. This unfortunate situation can be avoided if you:
Plant roots are another frequent cause of sewer backup and overflow. The roots of shrubs and trees naturally seek any water source. The roots probe the sewer line seeking any opening, such as a crack or a poorly sealed joint. Once the sewer line is penetrated, the roots form a ball and block the line. The best way to avoid root blockages is not to plant trees and shrubs close to your home’s cleanouts or sewer service line. However, if trees or shrubs already are growing near the line, watch for reductions in flows down the drain. If a reduction in flow occurs, have a plumber check the line and clear the blockage if necessary.
Here are some tips that can help prevent clogged lines inside – and outside of your residence.
Cleaning clogged drains aren’t as easy as dumping a chemical drain cleaner down and waiting. Did you know that there are separate waste removal lines that feed into a larger mainline carrying wastewater away from your house into the sewer system? Residences have a “soil line” which carries kitchen sink and toilet waste to the mainline. They are also equipped with a “waste line” which handles showers and bathroom sinks. This means there are two opportunities for clogs before the mainline, which itself can be clogged. Part of sewer drain cleaning is discovering what part of your system has the problem.
Cleanouts are a direct line to the sewer and consequently to sewer gas smell.
The following may help with odor problems.