There are few things that are as hard on your sewer line as grease and debris. This is why you should never pour grease down your drains and should never put anything down the toilet other than toilet paper and human waste. Simple preventative measures like these help to protect your sewer line. And understanding why grease and debris are so hard on your plumbing can help you commit to good habits in your home. Our experienced Westmoreland County, PA, sewer line specialists at American Sewer Specialist are standing by to help if you do experience a plumbing concern.
How Fat and Debris Accumulate
Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) generally enter sewer lines as warm liquids, but as they move through your pipes, they cool quickly and harden in the process. As they harden, they coat pipe walls with a sticky layer that has a wax-like consistency. This greasy layer serves as a trap for every manner of debris, including all the following:
- Paper products like wipes, including those labeled flushable
- Food particles, food scraps, and peels
- Hair
- Soap scum and detergent residue
- Lint and residue from washed clothing
- Dirt and sediment
Over time, this combination can grow hardened masses of grease and debris, sometimes called fatbergs, that block pipes and seal off the flow of wastewater.
How Blockages Lead to Serious Plumbing Problems
As wastewater backs up behind the blockage, it can overflow into your home through drains and toilets. To make matters worse, the trapped decomposing organic material releases hydrogen sulfide gas, which is converted into a corrosive acid. Over time, this acid can corrode older cast iron and concrete pipes.
As the fatberg grows and the effects take hold, the powerful combination of the mass itself, chemical corrosion, and internal pressure can translate to serious damage. Prime examples include collapsed pipes, fractured pipes, and pipes that separate at the joints.
Keeping the Problems Associated with Grease and Debris at Bay
The sewer lines throughout Westmoreland County are aging, and the underground infrastructure experiences widespread issues. This makes problems with sewer lines a very relevant concern. Scheduling regular professional maintenance with skilled sewer line experts, however, can help keep your plumbing running smoothly well into the future.
Regular maintenance generally involves video inspections and high-pressure water jetting that breaks down the accumulation of grease and debris before it becomes a serious problem or a plumbing emergency. Reach out to a sewer line expert for the help you need.
Our Experienced Westmoreland County Sewer Line Specialists Are Here to Help
Our capable Westmoreland County sewer line professionals at American Sewer Specialist have the experience, equipment, and skill to help keep your sewer line in excellent working condition for years to come. For more information about everything we can do to help, please don’t hesitate to reach out by contacting us online or giving us a call at 724-879-8130 today.
