Seattle homeowners often think about home maintenance. They usually pay attention to roofs, gutters, and landscaping. However, don’t forget about the network of pipes running beneath the property. One of those pipes is your sewer line, which needs maintenance too. Sewer maintenance prevents clogs, protects your property, and avoids emergency repairs.
This guide helps homeowners see why sewer lines matter. It also explains how professional maintenance keeps your system working well.
Why Sewer Line Maintenance Is Important
Your home’s sewer line is out of sight, but it is one of the hardest-working systems on your property. Every time you shower, run a load of laundry, or flush the toilet, wastewater travels through that underground pipe to the city’s main sewer. Without maintenance, small issues can snowball into major problems.
But what happens when maintenance is neglected? You might have backups inside your home, unpleasant odors, soggy patches in your yard, or full-blown pipe collapses.
Routine maintenance helps catch issues early before repairs become more invasive and expensive. It also extends the lifespan of your sewer line. Plus, this protects your property value and keeps your household running smoothly. In other words, investing a little time and attention now can save you a lot of stress and money in the future.
What Happens During a Professional Maintenance Visit?
A portion of the sewer line runs from your home to the city’s central sewer system. That is known as the side sewer. Seattle Public Utilities maintains the public sewer, but the side sewer is your responsibility. That means any damage, blockages, or leaks must be addressed right away.
Maintaining a sewer line is not something that most homeowners can take on their own. You will need to contact a plumbing company for sewer maintenance to keep your line working. This is what you can expect during the visit:
Video Inspections
Plumbers will use high-definition cameras to inspect the inside of your pipes. We look for cracks, root intrusion, blockages, and sagging sections.
Cleaning Services
Even minor buildups of debris, grease, or roots can compromise water flow. These issues need to be fixed to prevent any future clogs. Our plumbers will clear them with an auger or use a hydro-jet on any obstructions in your line.
Preventive Repairs
Any small issues, like minor cracks or early root intrusion, can be addressed with repairs. You don’t want to wait. A simple fix can prevent the need for major excavations or a full replacement.
Replacement
If a pipe is beyond repair, our plumbers will execute a full replacement of the sewer line. We will get the permits, conduct inspections, and ensure compliance with Seattle’s city regulations. The top priority is to prevent any disruption to your property.
What Can Homeowners Do?
A licensed plumber should take care of the technical work on your sewer line. However, you can take steps to keep your system healthy and avoid unpleasant surprises. You want to start by paying attention to your yard’s slow drains, gurgling toilets, strange odors, or wet spots. If anything seems off, call us right away.
Along with that, you may want to keep a record of past inspections, maintenance, or sewer repairs. This can give your plumber a better picture of your system’s history and help prevent recurring issues. You may also want to know exactly where your side sewer runs. Seattle Public Utilities can provide maps and information. This may come in handy if you ever need to talk to a plumber about repairs.
And while it might seem obvious, you want to be careful about what you pour down your drains. Grease, large debris, and non-flushable items can all create clogs. Over time, they can lead to unnecessary wear and tear on your sewer lines. When you stay alert, keep track of your system, and practice a few simple habits, you can catch problems early. Plus, when you follow these tips, you can make sure any necessary repairs are smoother, less stressful, and not a burden on your budget.
While sewer maintenance might not be at the top of your list, you need to keep those pipes in top shape. At Rush Plumbing Inc, we serve the Kent and Seattle, WA, area. We bring 30 years of experience to our customers. You can count on us for plumbing repairs, installations, and maintenance. Contact Rush Plumbing Inc today and schedule a sewer line inspection.
