Maintaining your Sewer Line

Due to our aging Seattle homes, it is common for potential home buyers to have a sewer line inspection performed before buying.  And in Seattle, it is the homeowner’s responsibility for their side sewer – the portion from the home to the public sewer line in the street.

Typically the sewer problems include relatively simple to fix things like a build-up of tree roots, toilet paper, or grease.  However fixing broken sewer lines are some of the most expensive types of home repairs. Also, some homeowner’s insurance (check your policy) have a sewer line exclusion.

Here are some steps you can take to maintain your line before problems arise:

·  Do not flush garbage or grease down the kitchen drain, it can build-up inside the lines.

·  When planting near the sewer lines, plant varieties of shrubs or trees with smaller root systems.

·  If your washer isn’t equipped with an automatic lint filter, use a lint trap on the water discharge hose of your washing machine.

·  Periodically have your sewer line cleaned by a professional.