As Fort Wayne homeowners ring in the new year, it’s the perfect time to give your home’s plumbing and sewer systems a fresh start. December and January are notorious for cold-weather drain issues — from grease buildup to frozen pipes and root blockages left over from fall. A proactive New Year sewer tune-up ensures your system is clean, functional, and ready for the months ahead. Here’s your step-by-step guide to starting 2025 with clear pipes and peace of mind.
- Why a Sewer Tune-Up Belongs on Your New Year’s List
Just like your HVAC or vehicle, your sewer system needs regular maintenance to perform at its best. Winter weather adds stress to underground lines, sump pumps, and drains, making early-year inspections essential.
Top Reasons to Schedule a Sewer Tune-Up:
✅ Prevent costly emergency backups during freezing temperatures.
✅ Identify damage from freeze-thaw cycles or root intrusion.
✅ Flush out grease and sludge buildup from holiday cooking.
✅ Extend the life of your sewer line and plumbing system.
✅ Start the year with lower maintenance costs and fewer surprises.
Fort Wayne Note: Many Fort Wayne homes — particularly those with clay or cast-iron sewer lines — are prone to winter cracking and root infiltration due to the area’s freeze-prone soil. A January inspection helps catch small issues before they become major repairs.
- Step One: Schedule a Professional Sewer Camera Inspection
A camera inspection is the most effective way to assess your sewer’s condition without excavation. Technicians feed a waterproof camera through your cleanout to detect cracks, buildup, or obstructions.
Benefits of a New Year Inspection:
✅ Pinpoints blockages before they cause a backup.
✅ Verifies if repairs from previous years are holding up.
✅ Provides video documentation for your maintenance records.
✅ Offers peace of mind before spring rains arrive.
Pro Tip: Book inspections in January — before Fort Wayne’s spring thaw season — to avoid scheduling delays and higher service demand.
- Step Two: Clean and Clear Your Lines
Even if your drains seem fine, grease and sediment can build up over the holidays. Professional cleaning removes buildup that can harden over time.
Recommended Cleaning Methods:
✅ Hydrojetting — high-pressure water clears grease, scale, and roots.
✅ Snaking or rodding — breaks up soft blockages and wipes pipe interiors.
✅ Root cutting — trims root intrusions before regrowth begins in spring.
✅ Preventive enzyme treatment — helps keep organic buildup under control.
Fort Wayne Insight: Sewer mains in older Fort Wayne neighborhoods often slope unevenly, creating “bellies” where grease and debris collect. Annual cleaning prevents these low points from becoming clog traps.
- Step Three: Inspect and Test Your Sump Pump
After the holidays, Fort Wayne weather alternates between snowmelt and freezing rain — a recipe for basement flooding if your sump pump isn’t ready.
Sump Pump Tune-Up Checklist:
✅ Pour water into the sump pit to test activation.
✅ Check discharge lines for freezing or clogging.
✅ Clean the pump inlet and pit of sediment.
✅ Verify that the check valve is functioning properly.
✅ Inspect backup power systems and batteries.
Pro Tip: Add a sump pit cover to reduce humidity and protect the motor from dust or freezing air.
- Step Four: Seal and Protect Your Pipes
Cold air infiltration is one of the main culprits behind frozen or cracked pipes during January.
Pipe Protection Checklist:
✅ Insulate exposed pipes in basements and crawl spaces.
✅ Seal wall gaps where pipes enter from the outside.
✅ Keep interior temperatures above 55°F, even when away.
✅ Disconnect exterior hoses and shut off outdoor spigots.
✅ Wrap heat cables around vulnerable lines if necessary.
Fort Wayne Tip: Homes with plumbing near exterior walls — especially older bungalows — should have additional insulation installed around basement piping.
- Step Five: Schedule Annual Maintenance with AAA Sewer Service
A once-a-year sewer checkup keeps your home’s plumbing healthy and your expenses predictable. AAA Sewer Service’s preventive maintenance plans help Fort Wayne homeowners avoid unexpected emergencies.
AAA Sewer Service Provides:
✅ Camera inspections and digital reports.
✅ Hydrojetting and debris removal.
✅ Root treatment and pipe relining.
✅ Sump pump testing and winterization.
✅ Annual maintenance reminders for peace of mind.
Final Thought
Starting the year with a clean, well-functioning sewer system sets the stage for a worry-free winter and a stress-free spring. Whether it’s clearing leftover grease, checking sump pumps, or sealing cold-weather cracks, a New Year sewer tune-up is one resolution every Fort Wayne homeowner should keep.
📞 Call AAA Sewer Service at (260) 456-6930
🌐 Visit www.aaasewerservice.com