- Know where your cleanout is. It's usually a 3" or 4" capped pipe outside, near the house. If you don't know, find it on a sunny day — not at 2am during a backup.
- Don't put grease down the sink. Pour it into a can. The single biggest cause of residential drain calls.
- Don't flush "flushable" wipes. They are not flushable. They catch on every joint and every root.
- Watch for roots. If you see roots in the line during a camera inspection, get them cut before they catch toilet paper.
- Run hot water after dishes. Helps move grease past the trap and into the main where it has more diameter to work with.
- Install a backwater valve if your basement has ever backed up. It's a one-time install that closes when the city main surcharges.
- Get a camera inspection every 5–7 years if you have mature trees on the property.
- Don't plant trees near the lateral. Roots will find the line.
- Snake before the holidays if you've had any issue in the past year. Don't host Thanksgiving on a marginal line.
- Save our number. We answer 24/7 and we'd rather hear from you on a Tuesday afternoon than a Sunday at midnight.
Prevention
The Sewer Backup Prevention Checklist (For Homeowners)
10 things you can do today that cost almost nothing and might save you a flooded basement.
May 22, 2025 5 min read
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