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Experts recommend cleaning your sewer line every 18 to 22 months to prevent clogs from building up and causing damage to the pipes and related installations. Put it on a calendar and perform the cleaning procedure even if you experience no obvious signs of a clog. Look out for telltale warning signs of a significant clog, like gurgling sounds and rotten smells coming from your drain.

The average sewer-cleaning process takes around two hours for a typical home. However, more complex jobs can take up to four or five hours to complete a thorough sewer cleaning. Repairing any damage caused by the clog takes even longer, up to two or three days of work, depending on the severity of the sewer line damage.

You can’t prevent every clog, as they naturally occur over time, but you can drastically reduce their frequency by following common sense steps. Rely on trash cans or the garbage disposal to remove waste, limiting the amount of solid materials that go down the drain. Never flush problem items like dental floss, paper towels, cat litter, or “flushable” wipes. Finally, conduct regular inspections and perform routine maintenance cleanings.

Drain cleaners can sometimes be used as part of a general maintenance routine. Though budget-friendly, these chemicals are often too harsh for pipes and won’t help with major clogs. “Liquid drain openers are better suited to use as part of a regular maintenance program. Pouring a small amount down the drain after running your dishwasher or garbage disposal is a good idea,” says Jeff Botelho, Angi Expert Review Board member and Massachusetts-licensed journeyman plumber. “Cleaning garbage disposals regularly will help keep excess material from entering the building sewer and causing a problem.”