Find top-rated sewer cleaning companies in your area

Sewers and Main Drains

The sewer and drain line is a critical section of your home that you probably rarely give much thought to. But when things go wrong with it, you'll certainly be aware in a hurry! Arm yourself ahead of time with information so you'll know what to do when your sewer line has trouble and disgusting things that are supposed to go OUT instead stay IN.

How drain lines work

A typical home's drain line and sewer plumbing is a complex web of pipes to make sure all wastewater goes where it's supposed to — out! Key parts of the system carry no water at all, but only air to provide proper venting.

1: All drain pipes should be connected to a network of ventilation pipes that go up through the roof. Venting prevents sewer gases from drifting out of drains into living quarters.

Experts say it's a good idea to hire a professional to inspect a sewer line with a camera before you purchase a home. During the inspection, make sure the inspector confirms that all venting pipes are present.

2: Most plumbing fixtures have curved "trap" sections that hold a little water, forming an airtight seal to keep gases in. This section of pipe is easily removed to clear clogs.

3: Toilets also have a trap, which is what keeps standing water in the bowl. The toilet drain is the largest drain pipe in the house.

4: All household drains meet below the house in a main drain that carries the wastewater to the municipal sewer lines or to a septic system. A Y-shaped pipe in a basement or crawlspace provides clean-out access.

Sanitary vs. storm sewers

There are two types of sewer systems: storm water systems and sanitary sewers. Storm water systems or drains carry rainwater, ground water and road runoff water to an open body of water, such as streams, lakes and oceans. Sanitary sewers, however, carry wastewater from residential and commercial buildings to a treatment plant where the contaminants in the water can be removed.

Since the 1930s, storm drains and sanitary drains have been installed separately to prevent cross contamination. In a residence, the home's drain system is connected to the city sewer by an underground pipe called a lateral line, usually 4 to 6 inches in diameter, installed at a slope to use gravity for water flow.

The size of the home's drain piping is determined by the amount of flow possible and the type of waste material anticipated. For example, a bathroom sink usually has low volume and little if any solids in the water. These pipes are normally 1 ¼ inches in diameter. Bathtub, washing machine and kitchen sink drains carry larger volumes, with food and other solids possible in the kitchen sink. Therefore, a larger diameter pipe is necessary, usually 1 ½ inches in diameter.

Any plumbing beneath the house is large enough to accept the flow from the fixture drains. A 2-inch diameter pipe is common. All of these drains flow into the toilet drain to exit the building, so the toilet drain is the largest and matches the lateral line going to the city sewer system.

Drain clogs

Homeowners can often fix drain clogs themselves if the problem is confined to specific fixtures such as a sink drain or a toilet. However, when all drains are affected — or when you see warning signs, such as water going down one drain and backing up in another — that generally means the main drain is clogged. Call a plumber who specializes in clearing drains.

If it’s a blockage from something flushed down a toilet, clear the drain by using a plumber’s auger or snake. However, in older neighborhoods, the cause may be tree roots. Older sewer lines were made from fired clay and as they age and weaken the tree roots creep in.

Drain experts are often able to bore through the roots and clear the drain, but in many cases the original drain pipe has become so deteriorated that the new passageway eventually collapses. When this happens the drain line usually needs to be replaced.

When lines become clogged and damages occur, in the majority of cases, the homeowners’ responsibility begins at the connection point to the city sewer system and includes the lateral lines and all drain plumbing in the home. Any maintenance, repairs and unclogging of these lines must be done by the homeowner, often with the help of a plumbing service.

While the indoor piping is relatively easy to repair, underground lateral lines require specialized equipment and tools, so those repairs often require a plumber.

Trenchless sewer lines

If a sewer line springs a leak or is punctured and in need of repair, it can create a mess for the homeowner and plumber. Certain professionals opt for trenchless sewer repairs, a technology that requires little digging and is gaining popularity.

The process uses a fiberglass tube coated with epoxy resin that's inserted into the damaged pipe and blown up like a balloon. After a few hours, the epoxy hardens and creates a pipe within a pipe.

Trenchless options can cost 30 to 50 percent more than conventional digging, so if the ground above is just grass it would probably make more financial sense to dig a traditional trench and re-sod afterward. However, the trenchless method is worth the cost when obstructions such as decks and stone patios have been built over the path of the sewer line.

Avoiding sewer clogs

Homeowners can reduce the risk of drain clogs by being careful what they put down the drains in the house. Don't flush items like cotton swabs, gauze, tampons, maxi pads, diapers, paper towels and heavier materials because those materials aren't designed to break down easily.

Many plumbers say “flushable” wipes don’t really degrade well enough to be put down the toilet.

Other materials that can create problems include paint, oil, grease-based products or harsh chemicals — even chemicals designed to prevent clogs. They may go down the toilet with seeming ease, but that doesn't mean they won't cause problems farther down the line.

Because sewer repairs often fall under the individual homeowner's responsibility, preventive maintenance could end up saving thousands of dollars in potential damages. These five tips can help homeowners keep sewer pipes flowing freely:

• Inspect in advance: If you’re thinking of purchasing a home, add a sewer pipe inspection to your checklist of considerations before buying.

• Consider a video viewing: Have a professional examine your pipe with a camera to determine its condition. Then you can budget for repairs or replacement that may be needed down the line.

• Rout it out: If roots are already finding their way into your sewer lateral, you might buy some time before the next backup by having them cleared.

• Consider coverage: The majority of homeowners' insurance policies won't pay for sewer pipe replacement; however, you might find one that does if you shop around.

• Do your research: Before an emergency arises, talk to your plumber about whether a trenchless or traditional method of sewer pipe replacement might be right for your home. Keep this potential repair in mind when spending on landscaping or hardscaping that might be affected.