Drain and sewer line care: what not to flush and when to call a plumber
Most clogs come from a handful of habits. Keeping a few things out of your drains prevents most of the problems plumbers see, including sewer backups.
Keep these out of your drains
- Fats, oils and grease. Hot water carries grease into the pipes, where it cools, hardens and builds up. Texas’s environmental agency recommends pouring used cooking oil into a sealable container for the trash and wiping greasy pans with a paper towel before washing.
- Wipes, including those labeled "flushable." They don’t break down the way toilet paper does. The National Association of Clean Water Agencies has documented wipes forming large blockages in city sewers, and the City of Raleigh says toilet paper and human waste are the only things that should ever be flushed.
- Paper towels, cotton swabs, dental floss, and feminine hygiene products.
- Coffee grounds, eggshells, rice and pasta in a garbage disposal.
- Hair in shower and tub drains. An inexpensive drain screen catches most of it.
Simple clog or main line problem?
A single slow sink or tub usually means a clog close to that fixture. These are signs the problem may be in the main sewer line instead:
- Several drains are slow or backing up at the same time.
- Toilets gurgle when you run the washer or a sink.
- Water or sewage comes up in a tub, shower or floor drain on the lowest level.
- A sewer smell inside or soggy patches in the yard above the sewer line.
A main line problem needs a plumber. Tree roots, sagging sections and buildup in older pipes are common causes.
About chemical drain cleaners
Store-bought chemical drain cleaners are harsh, can be hazardous to skin and eyes, and may not clear a clog that’s far down the line. Many plumbers advise against using them repeatedly, especially in older pipes. If a clog keeps coming back, it’s time for a plumber.
What a plumber can do
- Clear clogs with a drain snake (auger) or hydro jetting, which scours the pipe with high-pressure water.
- Run a camera through the sewer line to see roots, breaks or sags, so you know exactly what’s wrong before any digging.
- Show you where your sewer cleanout is, the access point that makes clearing the main line faster.
Sources
This article is general information for homeowners. Every home and system is different, so have a licensed professional evaluate yours before making repair or replacement decisions.
