Spring Sewer System Maintenance: Preventing Clogs and Blockages

For many, spring is a time for semi-annual or annual maintenance routines. This is the time for those tasks that keep your home functioning properly. Spring is a good time for sewer system maintenance to prepare for the coming summer and address any problems.

Prevent Water Flooding

April showers bring May flowers, or in the case of septic systems, April showers may bring flooding. Winter temperatures can cause the ground to freeze. If the ground has not thawed out when spring rains start, it cannot absorb the excess water. This water may overpower the sewer system and force itself back into your home. 

Here are some steps you can take if flooding is a problem.

1. If you have a basement, install a sump pump with an automatic switch. If water is sensed, the sump pump will automatically remove it.
2. Make sure sewer pipes near the house are sloped to drain away from the house. If not, you should dig them up and correct the problem.3

Prevent Clogs

Spring is a time for new plant growth. Plants need water and rich soil to grow. Your sewer pipes are the ideal environment for plants to grow. Over time, strong plants may infiltrate your pipes and cause clogs. If left unchecked, your entire septic system could backflow into your house. Inspect and correct your sewer pipes. Additionally, you should follow these tips:

1. Plant trees far away from your sewer pipes. Large trees should be planted at least 100 feet from sewer pipes.
2. Regularly inspect the pipes and remove as much growth as possible for trees that have already been planted.

If you find damaged or cracked sewer pipes during inspection, replace them quickly to prevent more extensive damage. 

Clean Drains

Keeping your interior drains clean will also help prevent clogs and blockages in your sewer system. Make it a point to put filters in each sink to catch hair and objects that should not go down the drain. Your sewer system cannot function properly if your interior drains are clogged.

Pumping

During your spring inspection, if you notice that your pipes are draining slowly, it could be time to have your septic tank pumped. Pumping your septic tank requires a pump truck, so call a sewer company before digging up your septic tank.

Call us if you want a professional to handle your spring septic maintenance to ensure you don’t have clogs. We will come out and assess your system. We only recommend what you need, nothing more, nothing less.