On a normal day, you probably give no thought to the condition of your main sewer line. Most people only think about their home wastewater and sewer infrastructure when they start to notice signs of failure. No one wants to deal with the inconvenience of having a blockage in their main sewer line, but unfortunately, this is something many homeowners have to deal with every year. Thankfully, there are some preemptive steps that you can take as a homeowner to make a sewer pipe blockage less likely to occur on your property. 

The most important tip is to understand the problem and metaphorically get to know your enemy. To prevent sewer pipe blockages, you need to know their many causes. A&L Cesspool has over 40 years of sewer and drain service experience, so you can trust our experts to educate you on this important topic.

Seven Main Causes Of Sewer Pipe Blockages

There are around seven main causes of sewer pipe blockages: tree root infiltration, severe pipe damage, sagging sewer lines, flushed household garbage, FOG, improper garbage disposal use, and old system scale buildup. Only a sewer service expert, like at A&L Cesspool, will be able to determine what caused your specific situation and how to fix it. Still, knowing about each of these causes is half the battle in preventing them from occurring. 

Tree Root Infiltration

According to a recent estimate, there are over 228 billion trees in the United States. All of these trees have root systems. Many of these trees grow in urban and suburban areas like your yard. It makes sense that tree root infiltration is one of the seven major causes of sewer pipe blockages. Tree root intrusion is a particularly big threat for older systems constructed out of porous materials, like clay. Older systems were also constructed with less tight connections between sections of pipe, which exacerbates this problem by making it easier for tree roots seeking water to infiltrate a pipe. Roots can grow through broken sections of pipe and rotted-out cast iron, as well. The best way to avoid tree root infiltration-related blockages is to not plant any trees with fast-growing roots, like willows, American elms, and silver maples, within ten feet of your main sewer line.

Severe Pipe Damage

Another common cause of blockages is severe pipe damage. When your sewer line is ruptured, sewage and wastewater are not able to properly pass through your system, leading to inconvenient blockages and backups. Your pipes can be severely damaged because of increased traffic or heavy equipment used directly above your pipe, shifting soil, corrosion, or leaky joints. Severe pipe damage can also provide an opportunity for some other causes of sewer pipe blockages, such as tree root infiltration, to occur.

Sagging Sewer Lines

Sometimes, the ground supporting your sewer line can sink, causing the line to sag and creating a low spot in your pipe called a “belly.” The belly in your line will trap paper, waste, garbage disposal scraps, grease, and debris, which in turn leads to blockages. Sagging pipes are generally out of your control as a homeowner. However, you can prevent the exacerbation of this issue by ensuring that only water, human waste, and toilet paper go down your drain. Sagging sewer lines work in tandem with other causes of sewer pipe blockages, like flushed household garbage, FOG, and improper garbage disposal use, to increase the intensity and frequency of blockages. 

Flushed Household Garbage

The only substances that should ever be flushed down your toilet are human waste and toilet paper. Flushing other household waste like baby wipes, tampons, Q-tips, condoms, medications, plastic wrappers, paper towels, or anything else can contribute to sewer line blockages. You can avoid one of the most significant causes of sewer pipe blockages by simply not using your toilet as a trash can.

“FOG”

Some of the worst substances you can flush down your toilet or pour down your drains are “FOG”, which is an acronym that stands for “fats, oil, and grease.” Fats, oils, and grease are all some of the biggest causes of sewer pipe blockages around. You should never pour these substances down the drain, even if you have a garbage disposal. Some people mistakenly believe that running hot water as you pour grease down a drain will prevent clogs from forming, but this is a myth. The grease will simply cool off, harden, and form a clog deeper within your pipes. Instead, disposal of FOG should be done by storing the waste in a container and throwing it out in the garbage once it has solidified. 

Improper Garbage Disposal Use

Another one of the causes of sewer pipe blockages is improper garbage disposal use. You should only use your garbage disposal for small amounts of scraps, not large amounts of potato skins, eggshells, or coffee grounds. Instead of putting these larger scraps down your garbage disposal, simply throw away this waste in the garbage or, better yet, start a backyard compost pile to create fertilizer for your yard and garden while reducing pollution. 

Scale Buildup In Old Systems

Finally, if you have an old wastewater system, your blockages may be caused by “scale buildup.” Scale is a white, chalk-like substance that forms over a long period where water collects or is dispensed. Eventually, as old clay and metal pipes start to break down, scale build-up occurs, creating a rough surface that promotes clog formation in your sewer line.

A&L Cesspool Can Solve Your Pipe Blockage Problems

A&L Cesspool can solve your pipe blockage problems, regardless of their cause. We will use our jetting, camera inspection, and rodding equipment to successfully remove any blockage that is impeding upon the utility of your sewer line. If you have a clog or blockage, we will clear it! Contact us today.