Most homeowners should have their main sewer line professionally cleaned every 18 to 24 months as preventive maintenance. However, this schedule varies heavily based on your property. If your home is surrounded by trees, you share the line with a large family, or your plumbing is over 30 years old, you may need annual cleaning.
You should contact a plumber immediately to have your sewer lines cleaned if you spot any of the following signs: You smell sewage. You see raw sewage backing up in other fixtures (drains, toilet, bathtubs, etc.). You hear gurgling or bubbling noises coming from your pipes.
The "135-degree rule" in plumbing states that the total (aggregate) horizontal change in direction for a drainage pipe—specifically trap arms—cannot exceed 135 degrees between the P-trap and the vent. Exceeding 135 degrees (such as using three 45-degree bends or a 90 and two 45s) requires a cleanout because sharp turns hinder flow and cause clogs.
Does homeowners insurance cover your sewer line if it's damaged? Damage to your sewer line may be covered by your policy if it is caused by perils such as hail or windstorms, explosions, lightning or fire, damages caused by vehicles, vandalism or falling objects.
Over time, repeated use of chemical cleaners can weaken pipe walls, warp plastic piping, and corrode older metal lines. This gradual damage often leads to leaks, cracked pipes, and sudden plumbing failures that require emergency repairs. Another problem is that drain cleaners do not solve the real cause of most clogs.
A straightforward yet effective approach to addressing a clogged drain pipe involves simply using hot water mixed with dish soap. This method, ideal for tackling minor blockages, leverages the degreasing power of dish soap combined with the force of hot water to dislodge and dissolve clog-causing residue.
As the fall rains intensify and the seasons shift, one surprising tip is getting renewed attention: pouring vinegar down your drains to help prevent clogs.
Topics to Avoid When Speaking to a Home Insurance Adjuster
Essentially, a toilet overflow is a localized clog within the toilet itself, while a sewer backup is a blockage further down the plumbing system impacting multiple drains. Clog and overflow water events are often mischaracterized as sewage backup by unwitting property insurance consumers or untrained technicians.
To protect your plumbing and the environment, you should never put fats, starches, harsh chemicals, or solid waste down your drains.
Here are the most common plumbing code violations you might not even realize you have—and why they matter.
Yes, a toilet and a kitchen sink can share the same main drain line, but they cannot tie into each other arbitrarily. Both fixtures ultimately empty into your home’s main sewer line. However, specific plumbing codes dictate exactly how this must be configured to prevent clogs and dangerous sewer gases from entering your home.
Pouring salt down your drain at night is a popular DIY plumbing trick used for routine maintenance. The goal is to take advantage of the salt's coarse texture and natural moisture-absorbing properties.
To clear a main sewer line clog, use an industrial-strength chemical main line opener (like Green Gobbler Main Line Opener or Instant Power Main Line Cleaner), or physically clear the blockage using a motorized drain auger (sewer snake). For severe blockages or tree roots, an auger is the most effective solution.
Water backing up in your bathtub when you flush the toilet almost always points to a main sewer line blockage. Because your bathtub drain sits lower than your toilet, it acts as the "path of least resistance" for trapped wastewater trying to escape.
While a bubbling toilet might seem like a minor nuisance, it's often the first sign of a more serious plumbing issue, like a blockage, vent problem, or sewer line obstruction. Ignoring the warning signs can lead to messy backups, costly water damage, and health risks from sewer gas exposure.
Roto-Rooter costs $100 to $600 on average for minor fixture repairs or clogged plumbing. Roto-Rooter rates for fixing a toilet or sink are less than for unclogging drains and sewer lines. Plumbing services for emergencies like burst pipes cost $1,000 to $3,500.
How Do You Know if Your Drain Is Clogged?
The insurance company that denies the most claims depends heavily on the type of insurance you are referring to:
The 80% rule in homeowners insurance dictates that your dwelling coverage must equal at least 80% of your home’s total replacement cost. Meeting this threshold ensures your insurance company covers the full cost of repairs (minus your deductible) for a covered loss.
One hidden truth is that insurance companies often aim to minimize their payouts. Adjusters may downplay the extent of the damage, offer lowball settlements, or employ various tactics to delay the claim settlement process.
PMRs for malignancies of the stomach, kidney, brain, and lymphopoietic system were also elevated, especially among plumbers. Chronic rheumatic heart disease, emphysema, liver cirrhosis, and all external causes of death were the major non-cancer causes with significantly elevated PMRs.
Cast Iron Sewer Pipes in D/FW
In the Dallas/Fort Worth area, builders continued to use cast iron pipes until around 1980. But you can still find homes built up to 1985 that were built with cast iron systems. And as with the rest of the country, PVC became the pipe of choice for underslab sewer systems in D/FW.
In most parts of California, sewer lines are buried anywhere from 18 inches to six feet deep, depending on the home's location, slope, and soil.