Maintaining your home sewer will help to ensure that you do not face costly plumbing problems. There are many things that you can do in order to help ensure that your sewer lines are clear and working properly. Read on for more information on home sewer maintenance that you can do.
Do Not Use Chemical Drain Clearing Products
Clogged drains are one of the most commonly seen home plumbing problems. Typically, when you have a clog in your drain, your initial go to choice would be to purchase chemical drain cleaners. Unfortunately, chemical drain cleaners can cause more harm than good. Chemical drain cleaners over time can erode cast iron pipes. They also may not fully remove the entire clog. This would lead to the clog getting bigger as time goes on.
Preventing Clogging
Clogs can cause a lot of damage to your drains. It can also cause the need for you to need replacement drain lines long before they are due. You will want to do all that you can to ensure that your drain lines are clear. Make sure that you do not put any kitchen food scraps down the drain, keep the hair out of shower drains, and ensure that nothing but sewage and toilet paper go out of the toilet.
Reducing Pressure
While you may like the high water pressure in your home, it can actually cause stress in the pipes. High water pressure can significantly decrease the life of your plumbing. Not only does high water pressure damage the pipes, but it also damages faucets, appliance valves, and pipe joints. You can measure your water pressure right from your own home by purchasing a hose bib gauge. You will find these at your local hardware store for around $10. To test the water pressure, you will need to go to an outside spigot and turn the line on. Normal water pressure should be around 40 to 85 psi. If you find that your water pressure is above that, call a plumber to install a pressure reducer.
Soften the Water
Another thing that can affect your water is high mineral content. High mineral content in your water is known as hard water. These minerals, which include calcium or magnesium build up inside of your pipes. Eventually, this will restrict water flow and increase the pressure on your pipes. In addition, this hard water may also cause corrosion of joints and fittings. If you see a white build up on your showerhead or a faucet that is a sign that you have hard water. To deal with hard water, all you will need to do is install a water softener. You will need to get a plumber to come out to do this for you to ensure that it is done correctly and that it works well.
If you follow the above home sewer maintenance, you will find that your sewer lines stand the test of time. You will not have to have the pipes replaced at a costly price is you do some maintenance on them. Just remember to avoid putting food on your drain, install a water softener, and make sure that your water pressure is not too high.
If you have any questions or you want to schedule an appointment for service, please call CaitCo. We are here to serve all of your drainage and plumbing maintenance needs.
