When people decide to up their game as stewards of the environment, they often realize it starts at home. They might look at solar panels, eco-friendly household items, composting bins, and other things to achieve greater sustainability.
One of the most underappreciated methods for protecting the environment is to take care of your sewer system. Having a well-maintained sewer system is, of course, a vital component in avoiding clogs, backups, and other issues. It’s also an absolute requirement for maintaining the water, soil, and atmosphere.
That’s why it’s important to get your sewer system inspected routinely or whenever there’s an issue.
Here are five ways that maintaining your sewer system will create a more eco-friendly home.
- Preventing Water Contamination
A dysfunctional sewer line can lead to the leakage of untreated sewage, which can affect the soil, ground, and bodies of water. Sewage contains harmful substances such as bacteria and chemicals, so you’ll want to avoid leaks or get them fixed asap.
By maintaining your sewer lines, you’ll ensure there are no gaps, tree roots, or leaks that allow sewage to spill out. You can also detect problems at the early stages before there are leaks that damage the environment and cost you a small fortune to remedy.
You can, by taking care of your sewer system, help ensure clean drinking water in your community.
- Cut Down Water Waste
Leaky sewers may contribute to water waste because even a small amount of leakage can add up to hundreds of gallons of water waste per month.
A functional system is vital to ensuring that all plumbing fixtures in your house work optimally. Repairing damaged pipes and fixtures, and upgrading your sewer system as required, can help you achieve more efficient water conservation.
Moreover, a functional sewer system will ensure that home appliances, including dishwashers, washing machines, and toilets, work efficiently. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the average four-person American household uses 400 gallons of water daily. But it can go through more if there are sewer system leaks.
- Minimizing Energy Usage in Wastewater Treatments
Sewage plants use a lot of energy to treat sewage water — that means your sustainability efforts can have a positive impact beyond your proverbial four walls. But if your house’s sewer system is blocked, leaking, or otherwise compromised, that can further burden your region’s sewage plants.
An efficient system will ensure that only domestic wastewater is treated in wastewater facilities, as opposed to water from heavy stormwater runoff.
- Preventing Harmful Backups and Chemical Use
A sewer backup is more than just an unpleasant situation. It’ll also negatively impact the environment. When sewage backs up into your home, it might seem like a good idea to use heavy-duty cleaning products to fix the problem. When harsh chemical agents are poured into the drains, they can actually cause more harm than good.
Preventative measures include regular cleaning of drains, avoiding pouring grease down drains, and refraining from flushing hand wipes or other things down the drain that aren’t biodegradable. Hydro-jet cleaning and snaking, options that can be provided by companies servicing sewer systems, are more eco-friendly and effective.
- Extending the Lifespan of Systems and Minimizing Waste
Small issues with your sewer system can morph into major ones if not fixed promptly.
Preventive maintenance facilitates the detection of small problems like corrosion, residues, or misplaced items, before they become complex problems.
Trenchless sewer lining is an efficient method of repairing damaged pipes by coating them from the inside using resins. This process doesn’t include digging into the soil, thus contributing to a small environmental footprint.
Taking care of your sewer system also implies that you’re taking care of resources because, by taking care of an eco-friendly household environment, you’re taking care of resources.
A working sewer system is an often underappreciated component of eco-friendly living. From environmental protection to resource conservation, a functional sewer system is fundamental in ensuring that the Earth is safeguarded for future generations. Everyone has a role to play. And when it comes to sustainable practices, it starts at home.
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