What Is Blocking Your Sewer Line?

January 5th, 2018 Posted in Sewer Lines
Comments Off on What Is Blocking Your Sewer Line?

Are multiple drains in your home slow or beginning to back up? One drain with an issue is likely a clog in the pipe, but if multiple drains are backing up or draining slowly, you may have a blockage in your sewer line. Some other signs of a sewer line clog include:

  • Bad odor coming from the drains
  • Drains near the main sewer line outlet are the slowest or first to back up
  • Wet areas in the ground above the sewer line
  • Sewage odors outside

If you are concerned you have a sewer line blockage, it is important to know where and what is causing the clog. Often sludge buildup creates a partial or full blockage, collecting debris that comes down the drains. Other possible causes of a blockage include tree roots, broken sewer lines and non-biodegradable items that are accidentally flushed down the drain.

To find out what is blocking your sewer line and where the blockage is located, contact your local sewer or septic service company. Most quality sewer services have digital cameras that can be lowered through the sewer line to find out what is blocking the pipe and where the clog or broken line is located. Once it is identified, a plan can put in place to remove the clog or repair the sewer line to clear your sewer pipes.

At the first signs of a sewer line blockage, call a plumbing or sewer service professional to inspect your sewer line. You will want to find and remove the blockage before you have a sewage back up into your home that can cause damage and put your family at risk.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

, ,
Read More

Is Your Sewer Pipe Blocked Or Broken?

June 16th, 2014 Posted in Sewer Lines
Comments Off on Is Your Sewer Pipe Blocked Or Broken?

There are always some tell-tale signs when your sewer pipes are malfunctioning. First of all, there is usually an unmistakable odor. If your waste material is not completing the trip from your home to the city sewer line, it will cause an odor to back up into your home. The lowest level of drains will be the most distinct areas of odor; usually the basement drains, if you have one. Secondly, you may begin to have sewer back up into your plumbing fixtures, causing more odor and problems. The question is now, is it a broken pipe or just a clogged or blocked sewer line?

Determining Breaks Versus Blockages

Unfortunately, there is no simple way to find out whether you are dealing with a broken or clogged sewer pipe. Most sewer line issues happen below ground, making it hard to diagnose them on your own. However, if you have a broken pipe which is leaking sewer water into the ground, you may notice wet areas in your lawn, collapsing soil or even an odor outside. Be aware, however, that just because there are not any visible signs or odors does not mean it is only a clog.

At the first sign of a sewer line malfunction, the best course of action is to call your local sewer repair company. They will be able to diagnosis the problem, usually by either attempting to remove any clogs or by first performing a camera inspection using a video camera to inspect your sewer lines. Whatever the problem is, you will need it resolved immediately before further damage occurs, so it is best to get a professional involved as soon as possible.

 Posted on behalf of Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.

, ,
Read More

Why Is My Main Sewer Line Constantly Backing Up?

March 26th, 2014 Posted in Sewer Lines
Comments Off on Why Is My Main Sewer Line Constantly Backing Up?

One of the most common drain repairs that contractors encounter is a clogged drain line that runs from the commercial or residential structure to the main sewer line.  These blockages occur between the structure and the point where the main sewer line discharges sewage into a public sewer system or a private sewage system.  Often they are frustrating to the property owner because often they will re-appear; even after they are cleared out!  In most cases, the recurring backup is a result of either a broken pipe or a pipe that has a low spot in it.

Broken drain pipes are pretty common and usually are the result of the bottom of the pipe not being supported properly or machinery running over the pipe that is not protected by a sufficient amount of ground cover.  In both cases the pipe is either cracked or crushed.  Often dirt and roots, from nearby vegetation or trees, will find its way into the pipe in search of water.

All drain lines are required to have fall on them, as gravity is the key factor in sewer systems working.   In many cases of a recurring sewer blockage, the pipe is either flat or has a dip in it, which allows solids to build up in the flat or low spot.  This keeps the sewage from flowing in the pipe as the system was designed.

Although the blockage can be removed using a variety of techniques, a sewer line repair service contractor will recommend a video inspection of all sanitary drains experiencing recurring blockages.  Using a lighted camera inserted into the drain, the technician will be able to determine the cause and make the appropriate recommendation on how to properly repair the pipe to eliminate recurring blockages.

Posted on behalf of Keith Lee, Metro Septic and Plumbing

Google

, ,
Read More

Think Before You Flush: Protecting Sewer and Septic Systems

December 18th, 2013 Posted in Sewer Lines
Comments Off on Think Before You Flush: Protecting Sewer and Septic Systems

There is a wide array of products on today’s commercial market, all of which are advertised as safe to flush down the toilet. From personal wet wipes to feminine care items, many products tout their “flush-ability” as a selling point. Despite claims to the contrary printed on the packaging and labels, there are some things you should never flush if you want to protect your sewer and septic systems.

  • Cotton Swabs – These tiny objects may seem like they’d be relatively harmless to flush, but the truth is that they don’t break down in water the way most people think. Instead, they tend to collect in bends of the pipes leading away from your toilet, eventually causing sewer line blockages and backflow.
  • Personal Wipes – Akin to baby wipes but marketed towards adults, personal wipes are an increasingly popular product. Most brands are advertised as completely safe to flush, but they’re creating a widespread problem in sewer and septic systems across the country. They don’t break down in the same way toilet paper does, leading to major blockages and trouble.
  • Medication – You may think you’re making the safe choice by dumping unused prescription medication down the toilet, thereby keeping it out of the reach of kids and pets. Still, prescription medications can contaminate groundwater. If your home is on a septic system, some medications can cause trouble by killing the beneficial bacteria that keep your system in balance.
  • Dental Floss – The waxed string you use to keep your teeth in tip-top shape can actually be quite harmful to sewer and septic systems, because most brands are not biodegradable. Instead, floss tends to become tangled with small clogs and blockages, making them larger and more likely to become problematic.

Posted on behalf of Shawn Bynum, Bynum Plumbing

Google

, ,
Read More

Common Sewer Line Problems

December 18th, 2013 Posted in Sewer Lines
Comments Off on Common Sewer Line Problems

In a perfect world, your sewer system would never encounter problems or force you to consider the flow of waste away from your home. The reality of home ownership is that sewer lines do occasionally malfunction, and require the same level of maintenance as every other part of your property. There are also common causes of sewer back-up, some of which are relatively easy for a professional to repair.

Tree Root Interference

The same beautiful, mature trees responsible for boosting your property value and providing money-saving shade can also wreak a bit of havoc with your sewer lines if their roots become an interference.

Collapsed or Damaged Lines

Older homes have a charm and character all their own, but they may also come equipped with old, outdated sewer pipes. Aging pipes may begin to crack or even collapse altogether, causing serious problems on your property. Thankfully, new technological advances mean you may not have to face digging and the destruction of your landscaping plan, as no-dig and trenchless repair systems become more common.

Drain Blockage

The single most common cause of sewer line problems and water back-up into the home is a simple drain blockage. Most clogs stem from simple user error, or improper use of drains. Make sure you never flush anything other than toilet paper and human waste down the toilet, and are careful about what you pour into your drains.

A licensed and reputable sewer and septic professional can diagnose and correct these common problems, most of which are simply to complex for the average homeowner to tackle as a DIY project. Contact a sewer and septic specialist in your area to discuss any sewer problems, and to make arrangements for necessary repairs before relatively minor problems become worse over time.

Posted on behalf of Chuck Seagraves, Seagraves Plumbing

Google

, ,
Read More

Find Local Company | Find Local Sewer Septic Services