The drain and sewer system that guides waste water away from the house is probably the very last portion of your home that you want to encounter problems. While any home system repair need is an inconvenience, drain and sewer problems are particularly off-putting. So if you want to make sure that you run into as few problems as possible during the life of your sewer line and drain pipes, take the following steps to keep yours in top condition.

Tip #1: Watch what you put down the drain

Your kitchen has a garbage disposal which can process a lot of food so that it can move safely down the drain. However, despite the name, this is not a place for all of your garbage; if you cannot chew it with your teeth, it doesn’t belong in the drains, so items such as food wrappers and chicken bones belong in the trash. More surprisingly, pasta and rice can expand in the drain and lead to sewage backup, while fats, oils and grease can coat the drain and cause persistent clogging.

Tip #2: Pay attention to signs of trouble

Look around your property from time to time for signs of a sewage leak. The signs may include wet spots around the property or in the yard, as well as foul smells. Another sign of a leak is any portion of the yard in which the grass seems to grow in a little too quickly or which appears to be greener than the rest of the yard.

Tip #3: Schedule plumbing maintenance and drain cleaning

Regular professional plumbing maintenance includes a thorough inspection of your entire plumbing system, from the pipes to the water heater to the kitchen sink, to ensure everything is in top shape and to make some key adjustments. You should also schedule drain cleaning from time to time to clear your drains of the debris and residue that leads to blockage.

Trust in the experts at APC Plumbing & Heating for drain cleaning, plumbing maintenance, leak detection, pipeline inspection and additional professional services to help keep your drain and sewer running smoothly.