Everyday habits
Most main-line blockages start with grease, wipes and paper products building up where the line narrows or sags. Keeping them out of the drains is the cheapest prevention there is.
Early warning signs
- Gurgling toilets or drains when other fixtures run
- Several drains slowing at once
- Water rising in a floor drain or lower shower
- Sewer smell indoors or wet spots in the yard over the line
Protecting the line
- Have older clay or cast-iron lines inspected by camera
- Keep trees and large shrubs away from the sewer line’s path
- Clean lines with a history of roots on a regular schedule
- Make sure the cleanout is accessible and capped
Backwater valves
Where the public sewer can back up during heavy rain, a backwater valve lets waste flow out but closes if it tries to flow back in. Some areas require one for fixtures below street level.