Avoid Sewer and Drain Problems With These Simple Maintenance Tips

We don't often think about our home's kitchen and bathroom drains or sewer line until there is a emergency, but there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure that your home's drains and sewer line and are kept in good condition. You can help keep your home's plumbing system flowing freely from the sink drain to the sewer main by following these simple tips:

• Keep cooking fats and grease out of your kitchen drain. Pour cooking oil and grease into a disposable container and place it in your freezer. Once it solidifies you can dispose of it in the trash.
• Don’t flush wet towels, wipes, diapers, q-tips or hygiene products down the toilet.
• Avoid planting trees and plants where the roots may spread near the sewer line. Root intrusion is one of the most common causes for sewer line damage. Homeowners are responsible for keeping the sewer lateral, the pipe that connects to the municipal sewer main.
• Have ABC periodically inspect your sewer line to check for and fix the little problems before they become major repairs. Video sewer line inspections can find problems like cracks, tree root intrusion and obstructions.