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As a homeowner, it is important to understand the differences between your sewer line and water line, and how to maintain both of them properly. The sewer and water lines are two separate systems that run through the property and have different functions. This article will go over the differences between the two and provide tips on how to maintain each one to avoid costly repairs.

The Sewer Line

The sewer line is responsible for carrying the wastewater from your home to the municipal sewer system or septic tank. It connects all of the drains in your home, including the toilets, sinks, shower, and washing machine, to the main sewer line. The sewer line is typically made of cast iron, PVC or ABS plastic, or clay.

Symptoms of a Clogged Sewer Line

A clogged sewer line can cause serious problems in your home, including sewage backup, flooding, and foul odors. Detecting and cleaning out a clogged sewer line early can help you avoid these problems. Look out for the following signs of a clogged sewer line:

Slow-draining sinks, showers, or tubs

Gurgling sounds coming from your toilet or drains

Sewage backup in your home or yard

Foul odors coming from your drains

Maintaining Your Sewer Line

Maintaining your sewer line is essential to keep it functioning correctly. Here are some tips to help you maintain your sewer line:

Be careful what you flush down the toilet or pour down the drains. Avoid flushing anything besides toilet paper and human waste down the toilet. In the kitchen, avoid pouring grease or oil down the sink.

Regularly clean your drains with hot water and a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. This will help prevent clogs from forming in the first place.

Avoid planting trees or shrubs too close to the sewer line. The roots of trees can grow into the sewer line and cause blockages. If you discover that roots are causing problems with your sewer line, contact a professional immediately.

Hire a professional plumber to camera inspect your sewer line regularly. An inspection can help you detect any potential problems early before they turn into expensive repairs.

The water line is responsible for carrying clean water into your home from the municipal water supply or a private well.

The Water Line

The water line is responsible for carrying clean water into your home from the municipal water supply or a private well. It connects to your water main and distributes water throughout your home to your faucets, showerhead, and appliances. The water line is typically made of copper or PVC pipe.

Symptoms of a Broken Water Line

A broken water line can cause serious damage to your property and can be expensive to repair. Here are some signs that you may have a broken water line:

Low water pressure or no water at all

Discolored water coming from your faucet

Wet spots in your yard or foundation

An unexplained increase in your water bill

Maintaining Your Water Line

Maintaining your water line is essential to ensure that you have clean, safe water flowing into your home. Here are some tips to help you maintain your water line:

Avoid putting pressure on your water line. Do not park or drive heavy vehicles over the water line, as this can cause damage.

Avoid using drain cleaners or chemicals that can corrode or damage your pipes. Instead, use hot water and baking soda or a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to clean your drains and pipes.

Winterize your pipes to avoid freezing and bursting. Disconnect hoses from outdoor faucets and wrap exposed pipes with insulation.

Regularly inspect your water line for leaks or damage. If you notice any problems, contact a plumber to make a main water line repair immediately.

Conclusion

Maintaining your sewer line and water line properly is essential to avoid costly repairs and damage to your property. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can prevent clogs, blockages, and leaks in your pipes and ensure that you have clean, safe water flowing into your home. Remember, if you notice any signs of problems with your sewer line or water line, contact your local plumber to address the issue immediately.

Most times, the water pipes in your home will do their work without making any noise. Even if the pipes vibrate slightly as water flows through them, the sounds they make are often not loud enough to be heard. But sometimes, your water pipes will make clanging or knocking sounds that are both abnormal and annoying.

Why do the water pipes in a house knock?

McCourt Real Estate Management says there are several reasons why the pipes in your home might sound like a mischievous ghost is playing with them. But thankfully, all of those reasons are due to everyday plumbing issues that can be resolved fairly quickly. Below you will find six reasons why water pipes knock and what to do about the problem.

6 reasons why your water pipes knock and how to solve them

Loose pipes fittings

This is the most common reason why pipes knock and also the one that is easiest to fix. The pipes in your home, especially pipes that carry hot water, can detach from their holding straps. When this happens, the pressure of the water traveling through the pipes can cause them to move and knock against a wall or other pipes in their vicinity. To solve this problem, simply attach the pipes to a nearby stable object like a beam or support it with insulated pipe clips. If the pipe is inside a wall where you cannot reach it, pack the space around its exit and entry points with foam or a soft pad.

Air inside the pipes

Pipes will also knock if there are pockets of air locked inside them. Due to variations in the water pressure, the air inside these pipes will cause them to shake and clang. To solve this problem, turn off the water supply to your home from the mains. Open all the faucets in the house, including external faucets and water hoses. Leave them open until all the water in them drains out. After the trickle of water stops completely, close all the faucets and hoses, and turn the water on slowly. That should get rid of any air inside the pipes.

Pipes knocking against the masonry

Pipes will knock if they are too close to the masonry. That can happen even if the pipe fittings are in place. To solve this problem, here is what you should do. Wedge a piece of hardwood between the pipe and masonry. The wood should fit tightly to keep it from falling. You can ensure this by bolting the pipe to the wood with a u-strap. Another way to solve the problem is to encase the pipe with rubber or cotton batting to muffle the knocking sounds. You can also slit a piece of hose and use it to wrap the pipe.

Water hammers

A water hammer is a loud hammering noise caused by a sudden change in the direction or rate of flow of water. Water hammering mostly happens when the water supply is shut off suddenly, such as when a toilet valve is turned off swiftly. The solenoid switches in your dishwasher, washing machines, and ice maker can also cause water hammers when they turn off the water suddenly instead of gradually. You can solve this problem by installing a water hammer arrestor in your home. But since this is a more complicated issue than the ones mentioned above, it is a good idea to talk to your plumber.

Copper pipes

As a rule, hot water pipes are more likely to knock than cold water pipes. But metal pipes are also more inclined to knock. The knocking tendency of copper pipes increases when hot water passes through them. The heat causes the pipes to expand and rub against anything near them. One way to solve this problem or reduce its severity is to lower the temperature setting on your water heater. It will keep the pipes from heating up and expanding too much. However, if this is not an acceptable solution, your next option is to talk to your plumber about the issue.

Sediment buildup inside the water heater

This is the most unexpected cause of knocking pipes. This type of knocking can happen when water is not even running in the pipes; typically in the morning or evening. The culprit here is sediment that has built up inside your water heater. Steam bubbles that are trapped under this sediment will force your plumbing to make a knocking sound as they escape. The simple way to get rid of the problem is to flush the water heater. Water heaters should be flushed once or twice a year.

Getting the pipes in your home to stop knocking is easy if you can identify the origin of the problem. But if after doing the steps above, the problem persists, there may be a deeper issue with your home’s plumbing. In that case, your next best step is to get a professional plumber to do a thorough camera inspection of your plumbing system.

Tag Archives: water lines

The Sewer Line Vs. Water Line – What’s The Difference and How To Maintain Both