Whether you own a restaurant, an office building or a three-bed house, drainage plays a key part in how it functions. Yet, because we can’t see many of the drainage components, it’s easy to forget they require maintenance and care. Preventing a clogged sewer in Geelong homes and businesses is relatively simple but only if you know what to do and what not to do.

Sewer line clogs usually need attention from a qualified plumber because they are tricky to access and can affect more than one property at a time. Though emergency plumbers like Geelong 24 hour Plumbing  have the necessary skills to deal with blockages, they encourage homeowners to take preventative measures and avoid these breakdowns altogether.

Common Causes of Sewer System Blockages

Here are some common reasons for a clogged sewer in Geelong properties:

• Non-flushable (non-degradable) items stuck in the pipes and/or toilet drain (cooking grease, food remnants, feminine products, cosmetic wipes, etc).
• Long hair and hair care products (hair lotions and oils can cause long hair to clump together and form clogs)
• Foreign items in the drainage system (leaves, stone particles, mud and other types of outdoor debris)
• Tree roots breaking into and through underground pipes (root penetration is a big problem in rural neighbourhoods)
• Frozen pipes in winter weather (water and other materials freeze solid and create a serious clog in icy conditions)
• Wear and tear (residential sewer systems are built to last but they still require maintenance and repairs to stay functional)

Simple Ways to Prevent a Clogged Sewer in Geelong Properties

Now you know what causes sewer line clogs, let’s find out how to keep them out of your drainage system.

Put Screens Over Your Sink’s Plugholes

Plughole screens are mesh filters that sit over plugholes to prevent hair, food remnants and other types of debris from going into the drainage system. Because these screens are very cheap to buy and widely available, they’re one of the best ways to prevent sewer line clogs. There’s no better cure than prevention; keeping potential obstructions out of the drain stops them from ever becoming a problem.

Empty Waste Oils Into the Trash

Cooking grease and oils are viscous and sticky making them a big contributor to sewer obstructions. Don’t forget most oils solidify when they drop in temperature. They may go down easily but, once they cool, these substances form solid clogs that narrow the pipes and significantly increase the chance of future blockages. Always transfer your waste oils to a suitable container and dispose of them in the trash.

Install a Hard Water Softener

The mineral content of water varies according to where you live and properties in hard water areas tend to be rich in calcium and magnesium. These water minerals have a habit of crystallising and causing chalky deposits to form on the inside of a home’s drainage pipes. If enough of this limescale forms, it can start to obstruct the movement of wastewater and eventually cause a clog. Asking a plumber to repeatedly descale the pipes is one option but many homeowners prefer the single expense of installing a water softening device on their property’s water tank.

Keep Trees Clear of the Sewer Line

If you intend to plant trees close to your property’s perimeter, you might want to find out where the drain and sewer lines are positioned first. Having even a rough approximation of their placement will help you avoid planting trees in locations where the roots might cause problems later. Roots that are too close have the potential to push right through older, weakened sewer pipes and cause serious obstructions.

What To Do If Your Sewer Line Clogs Anyway

Good drainage practices can go a long way to helping prevent a clogged sewer in Geelong homes. However, even the most careful households can still fall prey to ageing pipes and unexpected breaches from trees and shrubs in their neighbourhood. If you do experience recurring or prolonged plumbing problems (slow draining sinks, backed up toilets, unusual odours, etc), act quickly before they have a chance to worsen.

Here are some early indicators you might have a clogged sewer line:

• Water draining more slowly than usual from sinks, tubs and floor drains
• Unpleasant odours emanating from in or around the drain(s)
• Water pooling during showers (particularly if this hasn’t happened before)
• Damp patches and/or mould on walls and floors (usually a sign of a severe or prolonged leak)

How to Contact a Licensed Plumber

The skilled team at Geelong 24 Hour Plumbing has many years of experience dealing with sewer line clogs of all shapes and sizes. As Geelong’s premier emergency plumbing service, Geelong 24 hour Plumbing guarantees a fast response at all times of day and night. So if you’re in a plumbing conundrum, pick up the phone and call a repair service you know you can trust

Call 1300 368 866 today for a free consultation. Get a quote over the phone and have a qualified and licensed plumber at your door within hours.