When there is an issue with your plumbing system, you might think it can be solved with a liquid drain cleaning solution. However, that slow-draining sink might not be the result of the plumbing beneath your sick—the problem could lie in the sewer line. If you’re confused about where drain stops and the sewer starts, and what the differences between the two are, consider the following guide.

What’s the Difference Between Sewer & Drain Cleaning?

What Is a Drain?

Drains are pipes that manage the wastewater from a single home or building. In your home, drains include sinks, bathtubs, showers, and toilets. These all send waste through a complex network of pipes, which end at the sewer line. 

What Is a Sewer?

A sewer, or sewer line, is another type of pipe that collects wastewater from the multiple drains in your house. As a result, it’s larger than your drain pipes. Each property in a neighborhood that is connected to a municipal sewer system will have its own sewer line, which then merge into a standard sewer line. This will connect to your city’s sewer treatment center, which takes in wastewater from homes and buildings throughout the area. 

How Does Their Maintenance Differ?

As you use your kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room, the inside of your drains will get caked with waste. Food scraps, hair, and soap scum will prevent water from flowing freely, which will make your plumbing fixtures drain slowly. With drain cleaning services, you can remove the buildup and restore the functionality of the system. 

The need for sewer maintenance mainly stems from two issues. The first is if drain blockages make their way out of the building’s pipes and into the sewer line. These may require professionals to flush the sewer line with high-powered jets. In other cases, roots from nearby trees may grow toward sewer lines in search of water, eventually penetrating the pipe. This may cause sewage to leak out, or block any waste from continuing through the line. This will require more extreme repairs, including excavation and possible sewer line replacement. 

 

If you’re looking for sewer or drain cleaning in the Onalaska, WI, area, turn to A+ Family Plumbing. They offer both drain and sewer services so that you can restore your plumbing system and your peace of mind regardless of the issue. They also provide 24/7 emergency services, so you’ll never be dealing with slow drains longer than you need to. To learn more about their A-plus services, visit their website. You can also call (608) 783-5558 today to schedule an appointment.