February 3, 2026

Plumbers, Pipes, and Why It’s So Important to Keep Your Sewer Pipe Clear

February 3, 2026

Under your house is a veritable maze of pipes all leading to your main drain line. Every sink, shower, and toilet connects to the main drain, which in turn connects to either your city sewer main or your septic system. And every once in a while, those pipes get clogged or damaged and you get a very “special” visit from one of your local Northridge plumbers.


Did you know that with proper care and maintenance you can reduce the number special visits your pipes require AND save some money at the same time?

LET’S CATCH THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT BECOMES A PROBLEM

What most people don’t realize is most plumbers offer a drain inspection service in addition to the standard plumbing services they require when they get a backup. By using modern camera technology, we can identify the condition your pipes are in before you notice a sewage leak or backup.


Not only can we check on the condition of your pipes, our expert plumbers can determine where, exactly, and how deep your pipes and drains go. By having this information, our expert plumbers can identify which tools they may need to fix your problem right the first time.


By inspecting your plumbing system regularly, you can ensure your sewer line doesn’t collapse, causing an unsightly sinkhole in your front or back yard. And routine inspections can prevent an even more unsightly excavation trench when we need to dig up your yard to replace your broken pipes.

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO KEEP MY PIPES CLEAN?

In homes built before 1950 it was common to use clay pipes for plumbing. While clay is generally resistant to corrosion and buildup, the cement used to connect the joints can erode, allowing tree roots to dig their way into your plumbing system. A routine snake cleaning can cut these roots, and an environmentally safe chemical treatment can keep the roots from growing back.


If your home was built after 1950 but before 1960, you might have Orangeburg pipes. While Orangeburg pipes inhibit tree roots from crawling into your plumbing system, they can deform in shape. We specialize in hydro jetting, a technique very efficient at cleaning these fiber conduit pipes.


More modern homes now use cast iron pipes, which have the benefit of being very strong and being able to use longer piping to reduce the number of joints used. This comes at a cost, however, as cast iron is prone to scale buildup which can contribute to blockages. A good routine hydro jetting can keep cast iron pipes flowing smoothly.

MAINTENANCE IS KEY!

Just as you give your car’s engine system a good cleaning every three thousand miles, so too should you give your home’s plumbing system a good cleaning, at least annually. By performing regular maintenance on your pipes, a good plumber can keep your pipes strong and clear, ensuring no damage to your property and expensive surprise repair bills.

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