Homeowners in Central Park, Green Valley Ranch, and other post-2000 Denver developments often assume sewer problems are an old-house issue. PVC fused joints resist roots, but the failure modes shift to what people flush and pour instead. Denver Drain Cleaners still sees plenty of main-line grease and wipe packs in those neighborhoods.
Flushable wipes
Marketing says flushable; wastewater systems nationwide say otherwise. Wipes snag at fittings and accumulate. Main-line backups in newer homes increasingly trace to wipe masses plus grease, not tree roots.
Grease from modern kitchens
Open layouts encourage heavy disposal use. PVC does not corrode like cast iron, but grease still coats walls. Multiple cable passes without scouring leave the coating until jetting or better habits arrive.
Construction debris
Occasionally new laterals clog from mortar, gravel, or leftover material if post-build flush was skipped. First-year backups in a new build deserve camera documentation for warranty conversations with the builder.
What maintenance looks like on PVC
Less root maintenance, more honest disposal discipline. When mechanical clearing is needed, standard drain cleaning with optional jetting fits PVC well, unlike Orangeburg or crumbled clay where jetting is risky.
Guest use: Short-term rental and multi-generational households clog PVC faster, educate guests about wipes and disposal limits before the Super Bowl party.