Fall is a beautiful time of year with colorful leaves and cool breezes. However, all those falling leaves can lead to some serious issues if they end up where they shouldn’t be. One place they definitely don’t belong is in your sewer lines. If foliage and other fall debris make their way into your sewer system, it can lead to clogs, backups and expensive repairs. Fortunately, you can prevent that from happening by performing a few easy tasks.
Clean Your Gutters Regularly
One of the first things you can do to keep foliage out of your sewer lines is to ensure your gutters are clear. When gutters get clogged with such debris, they can overflow and cause water to pool around your home’s foundation. That water, along with the leaves, can find its way into your drainage system and, eventually, into the sewer lines.
By cleaning your gutters regularly throughout the fall, you’re preventing this buildup and keeping everything flowing smoothly. If you have large trees next to your house, you should trim and remove overgrown branches often, especially after heavy winds or a storm.
Install Gutter Guards
If cleaning your gutters sounds like a chore you’d rather avoid, gutter guards are a great solution. These guards function as a filter, making it easy for water to flow through while keeping autumn debris out. They can save you a lot of time and hard work during the fall season.
Installing gutter guards reduces how much debris gets washed down into your drains. This makes it much less likely for leaves and twigs to clog your sewer lines to help you avoid costly repairs. It’s a small investment that can make a significant difference, especially when the leaves are falling fast.
Rake and Bag Fallen Leaves
Another way to protect your sewer lines is by keeping your yard clear of fallen leaves. When leaves accumulate on the ground, they can be blown into storm drains or make their way into any open grates or drainage systems around your home. This can lead to blockages that eventually back up into the sewer system.
Raking and bagging your leaves regularly will help prevent this problem. It’s especially important to pay attention to areas around drainage points, like driveways and walkways, where leaves can quickly pile up and cause issues. Make it a habit to clear these spots as part of your fall yard maintenance routine.
Schedule a Professional Sewer Inspection
If you’ve had issues with sewer line blockages in the past, or if you just want peace of mind, consider scheduling a professional sewer inspection. A plumber can use special tools to check your sewer lines for any potential clogs or blockages caused by foliage and debris.
This type of inspection can catch problems early before they turn into bigger, more expensive issues. It’s always better to be proactive than to wait for a major backup, which can be messy and costly to fix.
Taking these steps will help protect your sewer lines from fall debris and keep everything running smoothly throughout the season. With a little bit of preparation, you can enjoy the beauty of fall without worrying about what’s happening below the ground. For help getting your sewer lines ready for autumn in Brighton, CO, reach out to Royal Services.