You probably own more pipe than you think
The pipe that carries everything from your house to the public sewer main is called the side sewer, and in most places it belongs to you, not the city. Tacoma puts it plainly: maintenance of side sewers, from the building to the City main, is the property owner's responsibility (Tacoma Permits). That can mean a hundred feet of pipe under your yard and sometimes under the sidewalk.
What goes down the drain matters most
- Wipes: "Flushable" wipes do not break down the way toilet paper does. They snag on roots, joints, and offsets and build into a blockage.
- Grease: Liquid when it goes down, solid when it cools in the line. Wipe pans out and put grease in the trash.
- Everything else: Paper towels, dental floss, cat litter, and feminine products all belong in the garbage.
Roots are the slow problem
Older clay and concrete sewer pipe has joints every few feet, and roots find those joints. They start as hair-thin strands and grow into mats that catch everything passing through. If you have big trees between the house and the street and an older line, roots are likely. Plant new trees away from the sewer path.
Know where your cleanout is
A cleanout is a capped pipe, usually near the foundation or in the crawlspace, that gives direct access to the sewer line. If you have one, find it now, keep the cap on, and keep it clear of landscaping. If you do not have one, a backup means pulling a toilet to reach the line. A cleanout costs far less than repeated access charges.
Look inside before it fails
Tacoma recommends that property owners investigate the location and condition of their side sewer, especially if it is more than 25 years old (Tacoma Permits). A camera inspection shows roots, cracks, sags, and offset joints while they are still small. It is also the only way to know what you are buying when you purchase an older home.
Warning signs not to ignore
- Gurgling from a toilet or tub when another fixture drains
- More than one drain slow at the same time
- Water backing up in a shower or floor drain when the washer empties
- A sewer smell outside near the line, or a soggy patch over it