A clog in your main sewer line can be a serious health hazard, especially if raw sewage backs up into your home. Not only can this make you and your family sick, but it can also cause extensive damage to your flooring. Below are the most common causes of sewer line clogs and how you can prevent them. Debris from Home: The most common cause of sewer line clogs is debris that comes from inside the house. Many people flush things like paper towels, personal wipes, and feminine hygiene products down the toilet, which leads to clogs in the plumbing. Also, cooking grease and food waste are other culprits that cause clogging problems. To solve this, make sure you only flush toilet paper and human waste down the toilet and pour cooking grease and food debris into the trash instead of down the drain. Tree Roots: If you have large trees or shrubs on your property, they will naturally seek out available water sources under the ground if they become too dry. Most often, the nearest source of water is your sewer line. Tree roots are notorious for penetrating sewer lines at the joints or through small cracks, and once inside, they grow to cause a significant blockage. Consider upgrading your aging pipes with materials that resist tree roots, or remove the trees. Damage: It's not uncommon to see older homes with outdated plumbing run into trouble when the pipes crack and collapse. If the pipes are weak and the ground shifts, it's often enough to cause the pipes to fail. If your home is 50 years or older, contact a plumber to find out about replacing that old sewer line. Excessive Rain: Sewers can only handle so much water at a time, and when heavy rains come, they're often overwhelmed. When this happens, the overflow of water often finds its way into residential lines, which can cause clogs and backups. With a little forethought, you can guard against sewer problems like clogs and backups. If you're unsure how to go about this, call the experts at Cajun Plumber for help.