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Your sewer line can get grimy quickly. To prevent sludge buildup in your sewer line, pour a mixture of 1/3 cup of vinegar and 1/3 cup of baking soda down each drain in your home once a month. After about 30 minutes, flush the drain with hot water.

Some plumbers recommend 3/4 cup of bleach instead to clean any germs and bacteria that may build up in your sewer line. But this won’t break down any active clogs, and it cannot be combined with vinegar, as the mixture will create a toxic, hazardous gas.

If you're dealing with a clogged sink drain, you may be able to avoid removing the drain by using a plunger to dislodge the clog. While we associate plungers with toilets, they can do the same job with your sink drain. Be gentle, though, as forceful movements can push clogs further into your plumbing system and make them more difficult to remove. Additionally, make sure you’re using a sink plunger—with a flat bottom—and not a toilet plunger—which has a smaller bottom protruding from the larger flat piece.

In the majority of cases, homeowners insurance will not cover a main sewer line root clog. The reason is that most insurance companies consider tree root damage to sewer lines as common wear and tear, which is also preventable. However, you may be able to buy optional add-on coverage, such as "service line coverage" or "sewer line endorsements," that would protect against root damage to your sewer line.

Knowing the signs can alert you to a clogged drain line. Clogs cause slow drainage or cause no drainage (if there’s a complete blockage). You may also notice foul odors, gurgling noises, water backing up in other appliances on the same line, or a poorly flushing toilet. If you experience any of these issues and think your line might be clogged, call a plumber.