Keep cooking grease out of the sink, put wipes in the trash, and address repeat blockages instead of relying on another temporary clearing. For Charlotte Water customers, a backup that continues after running water appliances are stopped needs a call to the utility.
Start with what goes down the drain
Charlotte Water's FlowFree guidance identifies fats, oils, grease, and flushed debris as preventable sources of sewer blockages. Make disposal easy where the waste is produced: a container for cooled cooking grease in the kitchen and a wastebasket beside each toilet.
Collect cooking grease in a suitable container, let it cool, and put it in the trash. Wipe greasy pans before washing. Put wipes, including those labeled "flushable," paper towels, dental floss, and hygiene products in the bin. Toilet paper belongs in the toilet; those other products do not.
A garbage disposal doesn't keep grease out of the pipes. Meridian Service Metropolitan District's prevention guidance recommends sink strainers to catch food scraps. Empty the strainer into the trash and scrape plates before rinsing.
Plan landscaping around the sewer line
Tree roots can enter wastewater pipes and contribute to blockages. Before choosing a planting location, find out where the sewer line runs and discuss the tree's mature root growth with a qualified professional. Meridian's guidance recommends keeping trees away from wastewater pipes.
If a previous inspection found roots, ask the plumber to explain the pipe condition and the proposed follow-up. Keep a copy of that finding. A useful maintenance plan starts with what was actually found in your line.
Get a reason for recurring clogs
When you arrange service, share the dates of previous backups and any cleaning or repair records. Ask what the last clearing removed and whether the cause was documented. That conversation helps you compare a repeat clearing with a closer evaluation.
Parks' sewer video inspection page explains the inspection service. Ask which section needs to be inspected, what the footage shows, and what remains uncertain before approving work. Our sewer warning-signs guide covers symptoms that need attention; the hydro jetting and snaking guide compares clearing methods.
Know who to call if prevention is not enough
For a home served by Charlotte Water, follow the utility's wastewater-backup instructions: turn off running water appliances such as the washer or dishwasher. If the backup stops, contact a plumber. If it continues, call 311 or 704-336-7600. Report a suspected outdoor sewage overflow to the utility as well.
Charlotte Water addresses blockages in the public sewer main or the City-maintained portion of the connection. A plumbing contractor handles repairs within private internal plumbing. Check the sewer provider on your bill. Use the instructions from the utility serving your address if it is not Charlotte Water.
The utility also recommends asking a professional plumber whether the property has or needs a backwater valve. Have that assessed for your property rather than assuming every house needs the same fixture.
Questions about preventing sewer backups
Can I flush wipes labeled "flushable"?
Put them in the trash. Charlotte Water warns that these products can contribute to sewer clogs even when the package says they are flushable.
Does a garbage disposal prevent grease clogs?
A disposal does not keep grease out of the plumbing. Collect grease separately, scrape food scraps into the trash, and use a sink strainer before washing dishes.
What should I ask after a repeat sewer backup?
Ask what caused the blockage, what was removed, and whether the pipe condition was documented. Keep the inspection and service records so the next recommendation can account for earlier work.
Arrange sewer service with Parks
For help with a recurring blockage or a documented pipe problem, request service or call 704-275-1017. Parks provides sewer and drain services, including drain cleaning, hydro jetting, sewer repair, and sewer replacement. Ask how the recommendation addresses the finding in your line.
Sources
Public guidance checked September 24, 2026.
- Charlotte Water: FlowFree disposal guidance
- Charlotte Water: wastewater backups and backwater-valve guidance
- Meridian Service Metropolitan District: sink strainers, grease, and roots
Homeowner education from Parks Heating Cooling Plumbing & Electrical
The Parks HVAC Editorial Team prepares homeowner guides from public technical sources and Parks' established service information.
