Blog > Preventing Sewer Line Clogs in Kansas City: Expert Tips for Commercial Properties

Preventing Sewer Line Clogs in Kansas City: Expert Tips for Commercial Properties

Preventing Sewer Line Clogs in Kansas City: Expert Tips for Commercial Properties

Keeping your drains, sewer cleanout, and main sewer line clear allows unsanitary waste to drain away freely.

But you don’t need to wait for your drains to clog before taking action. By actively preventing sewer line clogs in your Kansas City commercial property, you can maintain excellent hygiene while saving on repair, maintenance, and cleaning costs.

If your sewer lines are blocked, call DMC Service now for trusted 24/7/365 emergency plumbing services in the Kansas City metro area.

Common causes of sewer line clogs to avoid:

Flushing inappropriate items

Toilet drains are only designed to handle human waste and toilet paper.

Disposing of other debris such as wipes, feminine hygiene products, paper towels, or chewing gum down a toilet can clog your sewer line. That includes so-called “flushable wipes”, which despite their name should not be flushed!

When you flush these items, they can get caught in your line and cause water to back up when the toilet is flushed. Waste can then overflow, posing a serious risk to sanitation and health.

Grease and food waste

Commercial buildings with a restaurant or kitchen often have their sink drains clogged by oil, grease, and food waste. 

Many people believe that food disposal systems are enough to break up large materials, or that running hot water will prevent grease buildup in drains. But any solid materials can block a drain, and hot water causes rapid cooling that makes oil and grease stick like super glue.

When that happens, local Kansas City drain cleaning services are the only way to get your sewer lines flowing again.

Tree root intrusion

Tree roots grow in the direction of water and the vapor that sewer lines produce cause tree roots to grow towards and oftentimes penetrate the lines.

Tree root intrusion in your sewer line can cause your pipes to clog or break. Compared to affordable prevention, this can be very difficult and expensive to fix.

Tips for preventing clogged sewer lines

Schedule routine inspections and maintenance

The best way to prevent clogs is to schedule regular sewer line maintenance with a local Kansas City commercial plumbing company.

During a commercial plumbing inspection, a licensed plumber will examine your entire drainage system for early signs of blockage, corrosion, and wear. They’ll then carry out necessary maintenance and recommend preventative measures like sewer line jetting to keep your pipes in top shape.

This lets you avoid the high costs and lengthy downtime of sewer line replacement.

Dispose of waste properly

Educating staff and customers is key to preventing commercial sewer line clogs.

Put appropriate signage in your kitchen areas and toilets asking people not to flush debris. And provide bins that you empty regularly for them to use instead.

You should also install (and regularly empty) drain strainers in commercial kitchens to keep your plumbing system clear of debris. Using these in breakroom sinks is also one of the cheapest and simplest commercial plumbing solutions for retail and office spaces.

If you still experience sink or toilet drain backups, immediately contact a commercial plumbing company in Kansas City to solve the problem.

Clear drains with enzyme cleaners

Oil, grease, and food waste should ideally never enter your sewer line in the first place. But even if you’re careful, small amounts will still end up in your drain.

To ensure this doesn’t become a problem, regularly clean your commercial drains with a powerful enzyme cleaner.

These substances are highly effective at breaking down organic matter. But they don’t corrode your pipes in the same way that chemical-based cleaners do. They’re also much safer for you, your staff, and the environment.

Carry out root prevention treatments

One option to prevent tree root intrusion is to remove any trees growing near your main sewer line.

However, this can be extremely expensive and time consuming. Removing trees might also ruin the aesthetic appeal of your building that customers enjoy. And in a large urban area like Kansas City you might not have the right to remove trees at all.

A much cheaper and easier option is to regularly pour a root-eliminator like Root-X down your main drain. This kills any wayward roots that have made their way inside your sewer line, keeping your drains free of blockages.

If the problem continues, contact a Kansas City commercial plumber like DMC Service for a more thorough root removal service. Our commercial plumbers will inspect your main sewer line using a video camera and either auger or jet it with specialized equipment to resolve your problem thoroughly.

When to seek professional help

Maintaining good plumbing habits is a highly effective way to delay sewer line clogs for as long as possible.

However, it’s also important that you can recognize the signs of main sewer line clogs. That way, you can arrange a visit from a commercial plumbing expert before growing blockages impact your business.

Signs you have issues in your commercial plumbing system include:

  • Drain backups: This is when an obstruction causes water to rise up out of a pipe rather than drain away through it
  • Slow drainage: If water is draining slowly, there’s probably a blockage that’s preventing optimal water flow
  • Strong and unpleasant smells: Sewage and germs might be entering your building through the pipes, putting staff and customers at risk
  • Water in the sewage cleanout: Unscrew the lid of your sewage cleanout to check if it’s holding water – and contact a commercial plumber immediately if it is
  • Strange noises: Bubbling or gurgling from flushed toilets, sink drains, and nearby fixtures are a good early indicator of clogged drains

If you notice any of these signs, reach out to DMC Service for fast and effective commercial plumbing services.

Our team of highly trained plumbers has over 20 years’ experience of preventing sewer line clogs in Kansas City. We’re also available 24/7 every day of the year for emergency plumbing repair and replacement. So you can be confident that your business always has reliable plumbing support.

Clear and prevent sewer line clogs with DMC Service

Taking proactive measures to prevent sewer line clogs lets you avoid the cost and downtime of clearing a serious blockage.

But accidents can still happen. And when they do, you need someone you can trust.

DMC Service provides plumbing inspections, maintenance, and emergency repairs for midsize businesses throughout Kansas City, Olathe, Lenexa, Overland Park, and North Kansas City. No matter what plumbing emergency you face or when it happens, our qualified and experienced commercial plumbers are always on hand to get you out of a jam.

Contact us today for fast and efficient commercial plumbing services.

diamond strong dedication

Founded in 2004, DMC Service, Inc. is proud of our decades-plus service to the Kansas City Metro and beyond. Based out of Olathe, we are a 100% woman-owned business with Karen Crnkovich at the helm as President and “Chief Hand-Shaker.” Karen leads the DMC Service team with unwavering passion and enthusiasm to fulfill our purpose: To keep people comfortable, safe and healthy.