clearing main sewer lines?

We're connected to a sewer - soon after we bought our house a few yrs ago the main line started to back up and we had to have someone come over and clear the lines.

I wonder, should that be done once in a while as a precaution?

Ours could have been needed because of something the previous owners' kids had done too. But I wasn't sure if it was something we should continue.

Does anyone else do this?

Re: clearing main sewer lines?

Perhaps you have a Cesspool? If so they typically need cleaning every 6-10yrs. You can buy solutions at HD or Lowes to help breakdown the contents.

Re: clearing main sewer lines?

nope, sewer.

Re: clearing main sewer lines?

Teri, it's not something you should have to do... My parents house are on sewers, and I think once a year in the spring, the town comes by and they open up all the catch basins in the street and clear out all the debris... It helps too with the sewer lines to keep them clear. You can call and check to see if they do that. I'm in TOB too, but we have cesspools.

Re: clearing main sewer lines?

Thanks Trish - I don't remember my parents having to deal with this in my house growing up. It may have been a 1 time issue for us.

But you see these sewer line cleaning companies around and it makes you think - do I need that?!

Re: clearing main sewer lines?

We are connected to the main sewer and have a tree right in front of the house. This causes roots to get into the sewer line and could cause back ups. Once a year we have a sewer company come and clean out the line and sometimes treat with chemicals. It only cost around $50 so it is well worth it to aviod any problems. All the neighbors around me do the same thing once a year..... However my parents house also has sewers and I dont think they ever had to do this......