Even the thought of a sewer line issue makes most homeowners cringe. You picture a swamp of raw sewage in your yard, or worse, a flood of filth in your home. But in most cases, these problems could be avoided by breaking a few bad habits. Or even better, never falling prey to these lazy or thoughtless acts. Some of the most common bad habits that can result in a costly sewer line issue include:
Flushing Foreign Objects
Most of us never think about what we flush. While it is a system designed to handle the disposal of organic waste, it is not a magic portal to the world’s largest landfill. Your trash needs to find its way to an appropriate receptacle and then out to the garbage can or dumpster. This includes items like dental floss, cotton swabs, tissues, feminine hygiene products, bits of plastic, and other waste generated in the bathroom.
Your toilet carries everything you flush through drain pipes in your home, and then into a sewer line. This single sewer line connects your home’s drains to the city or municipal sewer system. And when you flush items that do not disintegrate in water, they tend to get caught in the drainpipe and create the beginning of a nasty mess for you. And while an occasional accident might happen and not have a disastrous result, repeated flushing of foreign objects will sooner or later catch up to you. And the penalty will be an emergency plumbing bill and maybe a flood of dirty water and waste in your home.
Don’t Start Bad Habits In Young Children
Potty training can be a challenge for parents and children. But it is essential to teach children that the toilet is not a magical way to make things disappear. Once they see something washed away with just the push of a handle, they will become mesmerized with this fun game. And that is when you will discover your child standing at the toilet with an armload of small items that are about to go on an exciting trip down the drain pipe. This event could mean that toys, socks, gloves, or even keys and jewelry have already found their way down into this point of no return. So don’t confuse your child by flushing that dearly departed goldfish or stray piece of trash. This one bad habit could become a very costly one for you and other family members, depending on what your child decides to flush.
Think Before You Dig
In most cases, your home’s sewer line is several feet deep. But soil can erode, grade can be changed, and mistakes can and do happen. Instead of experiencing the awful surprise of sewage odor and sludge in person, plan your landscape and outdoor updates carefully. Things like a fencepost hole, new tree installation, or even excavation for a footer for a barn or home addition could expose and damage the only sewer line for your home.
And while you might know to call your local utility marking company before you dig, be sure that your children understand that there are essential things buried in your yard. Many children have spent the day searching for dinosaur bones, gold, or the center of the earth, only to discover a sewer line instead. And while you might not think a piece of pipe is that interesting, most kids will have a burning desire to see what is inside it. So remind small treasure hunters to be careful and avoid these not so nice treasures in the backyard.
In Case Of Emergency
As we all know, things happen from time to time that we wish we could turn back time and avoid. But these accidents can’t be undone. However, when it comes to an issue with your sewer line, it can be quickly and affordably corrected when you call the pros at A Better Plumber. Our team is here for you 24/7 to remove a nasty sewer line clog or repair a line that is leaking sewage into your yard. Just call (301) 278-8786, and know that our licensed plumber will have the issue fixed in no time.
