As fall sets in, it’s time to prepare your home’s sewer and drainage system for the seasonal challenges ahead.

Tree roots, falling leaves, and increased water flow can all cause drain blockages or expensive sewer repairs.

While you may be busy enjoying fall festivals, pumpkins and apple cider, throw on a cozy sweatshirt and fuzzy slippers, and use these five essential maintenance tips to prevent clogs and keep your drains running smoothly through the holiday season.

You can also reach out to our Crete drain and sewer specialists with any questions you may have, or to schedule routine maintenance!

1. Clean Leaves Out of Gutters & Downspouts

Fall means falling leaves. And sometimes, these leaves get stuck in the gutters and downspouts of your home. It’s a good idea to clean all gutters and downspouts in the fall to ensure that rainwater can flow freely away from your home, avoiding potential water damage. Cleaning them now will prevent you from having to deal with blockages later on in the winter!

To effectively clean your gutters and downspouts, follow these steps:

• Remove leaves and debris: Use a small trowel or gutter scoop to clear out all leaves, twigs, and debris from your gutters.
• Flush gutters and downspouts: After removing the debris, use a hose to flush water through the gutters and downspouts to ensure they are free of blockages and flowing properly.
• Inspect for damage: While cleaning, check for any signs of damage to the gutters or downspouts, such as cracks, loose sections, or rust, and repair or replace them as needed.
• Install gutter guards: Consider installing gutter guards to prevent leaves and debris from collecting in the gutters in the first place, reducing future maintenance.

By taking these steps, you’ll keep your gutters and downspouts in top condition and protect your home from potential water damage throughout the fall and winter months.

2. Clear Out Tree Roots from Sewer Lines

Tree roots are always a common issue with sewer lines. This is especially true if there are lots of trees or shrubbery on your property. Fall is a great time to do preventive maintenance on your sewer line to clear out roots that find a way into your sewer pipes.

Fall is also the start of the busy holiday season, which usually means more visitors to your home. Ensuring your sewer is clear now by scheduling sewer rodding if you need it will ensure your sewer and drains can handle the additional use.

3. Check Your Sump & Ejector Pumps

If your home has a basement, it’s likely equipped with a sump pump and or an ejector pump. These pumps play a crucial role in managing groundwater and wastewater. Fall is a great time to check your sump and ejector pumps and their pits for clogs in the discharge lines. Regular checks can help prevent unexpected headaches during winter storms and snow melts.

Follow these steps to check your sump and ejector pumps:

• Inspect the pits: Clear out any debris, dirt, or buildup in the sump and ejector pump pits that could obstruct the pump’s operation.
• Test the pump: Unplug each pump and then plug it back in. The pump should activate when you plug it back in, which confirms that it’s functioning correctly.
• Simulate water flow: Pour a bucket of water into the sump pit. The sump pump should turn on automatically and begin pumping water out. For the ejector pump, run water in the basement plumbing fixtures and check for proper drainage.
• Check discharge lines: Make sure the discharge lines are clear and free from blockages. These lines carry water away from your home, so it’s crucial they are in good working order.
• Inspect for wear and tear: Check the pumps for signs of damage or wear, such as rust, cracks, or loose connections. If you notice any issues, consider contacting a professional for repairs or replacement.

By performing these simple checks in the fall, you can ensure your sump and ejector pumps are ready to handle the heavy rainfall and snowmelt of the coming seasons.

4. Use Drain Traps Throughout Your Home

A simple year-round tip that’s pretty effective is the use of traps over frequently used drains, like bathtubs and bathroom sinks. These traps catch hair and debris that can easily lead to clogged pipes and forcing you to call in a professional for drain cleaning.

With more visitors to your home during the holidays, this preventive measure is invaluable in keeping your drains flowing smoothly!

5. Get Your Sewers Rodded

One last tip to prepare your sewer for the fall season? If you haven’t already, and especially if your home is surrounded by lots of trees, have your sewer rodded to clear out roots and other debris that manages to find its way into your line.

And with more visitors in your home during the holidays, a sewer rodding is a good idea to be sure things will flow smoothly all season long. 

Drain & Sewer Maintenance Help From the Pros

Prepare your home for the fall season by following these essential sewer and drain maintenance tips. With a little proactive care, you can enjoy the autumn festivities without worrying about unexpected drainage problems.

But no matter what kind of sewer or drain issue you’re experiencing, or what time of year it is, Reid & Pederson is always just a phone call away! We’ll get there quickly and solve your drain or sewer problem in no time.

We also have a sewer maintenance program that will help keep your system running smoothly all year long.

Looking for expert sewer maintenance in the South Suburbs or NW Indiana? Call our local team today to schedule a fall drain inspection and avoid holiday clogs.

Fall Drain & Sewer Maintenance FAQ

Learn More About Drain & Sewer Maintenance in Crete & Beyond

Check out our blog posts below for some helpful info, expert tips and more!

• 3 Important Reasons to Get Routine Sewer Maintenance
• How to Prevent Common Winter Sewer & Drain Problems
• Common Summer Drainage Problems & How to Prevent Them
• Sewer & Drain Cleaning Tips & Tricks for Springtime

Sluggish drains, problematic faucets, and sewer issues are never pleasant, but maintenance can go a long way toward avoiding problems before they get out of hand. Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions about drain and sewer maintenance that can lead you astray.

The Reid & Pederson Drainage team is always here to assist you with all of your drain and sewer needs in Crete, IL and beyond. To optimize your plumbing and sewer systems, we also wanted to address some myths, best practices, and tips on all of your drain and sewer needs. Here’s how to get started!

Myth 1: Using Household Ingredients is Effective

When you rely on household ingredients to clean out your drains, you’re delaying a thorough drain cleaning and leaving the problem to grow worse. Yes, some boiling water, vinegar, and baking soda can help with a light clog. But after one or two applications, your blog isn’t going to get any better, so it’s time to call in the drain experts.

Best Practice:

If your drains suddenly slow down out of nowhere, mix up a solution of equal parts baking soda and vinegar and pour it down the drain. In about ten minutes, pour a boiling kettle of water down your drain to clear it out. If nothing happens, you need professional drain cleaning. However, the baking soda and vinegar treatment can help you stay on top of your drain maintenance. 

Myth 2: If My Drains Are Flowing, My Plumbing Is Just Fine

Drains that work efficiently and effortlessly are always the goal, but freely flowing drains doesn’t necessarily mean there are no issues with your plumbing. Over time, clogs can form in your sewer line that take time to show up in your drains. Tree roots can also find their way into your pipes through holes, cracking them to find the water they’re looking for to thrive.

Best Practice:

Routine sewer maintenance is vital to healthy plumbing and drains. Call the team at Reid & Pederson Drainage for sewer rodding and maintenance to eliminate roots and other debris in your sewer line. You’ll stay ahead of growing problems and save money over time on sewer line repairs and premature replacements.

Myth 3: Slow Drains Aren’t a Big Deal

Slow drains may seem like a minor problem that will eventually go away. In reality, they could be a sign of a deeper issue in your plumbing. A clog in your sewer line, a tree intrusion, or a broken sewer line could be the cause. When you ignore the problem, it can lead to a complete blockage and ongoing damage to your plumbing and sewer systems. 

Best Practice:

Get on top of your slow drain problem as soon as possible. You can use a drain snake, a plunger, or a mixture of vinegar and baking soda in equal parts with boiling water. If you can’t get rid of the issue yourself, you need to contact a sewer and drain professional as soon as possible. Depending on the issue, the team at Reid & Pederson may recommend hydro jetting or other solutions to get your drains flowing and break up stubborn clogs.

Myth 4: Pouring Grease Down the Drain is Fine If You Follow It with Hot Water

Grease is one of the worst things you can possibly do to your drains. The grease may look liquefied when it’s hot, but once it cools off, it clogs and sticks to your pipes and everything in its way. You end up with stubborn, sticky clogs. Unfortunately, some homeowners believe the hot water will melt the grease and wash it away. Instead, you’re just moving the grease further down the pipes, which leads to blockages that are difficult to reach and can cause damage to your sewer line. Here are some other things you should never put down your drain!

Best Practice:

Always dispose of your grease and oil in a container and throw it in the trash. It’s also wise to wipe your greasy pots and pans with a paper towel before washing them to avoid stray grease from sliding into your drains.

Myth 5: Store-Bought Chemical Drain Cleaners Are Fine If You Don’t Use Them All the Time

Chemical drain cleaners are widely available and marketed as a quick, low-cost way to break up stubborn clogs. But do they work? Store-bought drain cleaners may work temporarily, but you have no idea at what cost. They’re corrosive and harsh on pipes, which could make your problem worse, even after one use. The clog could end up holding onto those drain cleaning chemicals, degrading your pipes, and causing leaks.

Best Practice:

Use a plunger or a drain snake to clear minor clogs. For persistent issues, consult a professional plumber who can address the root cause without damaging your plumbing.

Myth 6: You Can Toss Flushable Wipes Into the Toilet

If you have a baby or toddler, you’ve probably seen wipes marketed as “flushable.” You should never flush wipes down the toilet, even though they may break down easier than regular wipes. They won’t fully biodegrade and can cause significant blockages in your pipes and municipal sewer systems. 

Best Practice:

Flushable wipes are never truly flushable. Dispose of wipes in your trash, even if they are labeled “flushable” and come recommended. Only toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet.

Myth 7: Professional Drain Cleaning is Too Expensive

It’s a common misconception that professional drain cleaning is simply too expensive. Although there is an upfront cost involved, in the long run, professional drain cleaning can save you money in the long-run. You’ll prevent clogs from growing that can turn into burst pipes, sewer line problems, and even sewage backing up into your home. Your best and most affordable option is to invest in regular drain cleaning to keep your plumbing running smoothly.

Best Practice:

Schedule drain cleaning every year, or anytime you have a clog forming, to stay on top of the problem before it turns into an expensive plumbing emergency. You can also save money on sewer rodding and maintenance with our Sewer Maintenance Program, designed to keep your sewers clean, safe, and working efficiently.

Call Us for Expert Drain & Sewer Maintenance!

Are you struggling with your drains or sewers in Crete, IL or the surrounding area? The team at Reid & Pederson will come out to assess the situation, offer solutions, and talk you through the process and pricing. We’ll get your sewer and drains working seamlessly again.

Schedule your appointment today!