How to Keep Sewer Pipes Clean

The cleanliness of your sewer pipes depends a great deal on what you put down the drain.

At some point, nearly every homeowner will experience a problem with his or her plumbing system. One of the most common problems is a clogged sewer pipe. Obstructed sewer pipes can prove a time-consuming and grimy nuisance to unclog. Occasionally, a severe clog may require the attention of a professional plumber, which can result in an expensive hit on your bank account. This can be avoided, however, if you take some time to conduct a bit of preventative maintenance in order to ensure the pipes remain clean and clog-free.

Things You'll Need

• Assistants
• Pipe or crescent wrench
• Plumber's snake

Instructions

1. Flush only water and human waste down the toilet. At the sink, never pour grease or other fatty liquids, such as melted lard, down the drain, as it will clog the pipes. Always have the strainers in the sink drain in order to catch large food particles. In the bathroom, never flush paper towels, napkins, cotton balls, cat litter or any other foreign objects down the drain.

2. Fill every sink in your home with water once per week. Once all of the sinks are full, with the help of friends or family members, pull the stoppers. This will fill the pipes with water and help flush away any obstructions.

3. Gather your friends or family members. Fill every sink and tub in your house with water. With the help of your friends/family, drain the sinks/tubs simultaneously. Flush all toilets at the same time as well. The subsequent rush of water will help flush out the sewer pipes. Do this once every three months to ensure the pipes stay clean.

4. Perform a visual check of the pipes approximately every 6 months. Inspect the pipes for cracks, loose fittings, corrosion or any other damage. Damage to the pipes can lead to blockages over time. Repair or replace the pipes as necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• If you suspect your sewer pipes are already obstructed, find the cleanout plug on the pipes. The plug will have a square head that allows you to connect a pipe or crescent wrench to the plug and loosen it. After the plug has been removed, push a plumber's snake through the sewer pipe. Use a snake that has a tip large enough to clean the sides of the pipe as it is pushed through the plumbing system. Snake the sewer pipe until the obstruction has been removed.

References

• Ask the Builder: Household Drain Clogs - Fixes and Prevention
• Plumbing-Basics: Plumbing Pipe Problems
• Upper Occoquan Service Authority: Fact Sheet - What Not to Flush