Signs of a Clogged Sewer Vent

October 28th, 2019 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Most people are aware that drains can be clogged. Food, hair or other debris can plug a pipe and cause a drain backup. What not everyone realizes is that there are other pipes that can impact your plumbing and sewer lines. Sewer vents allow to air to escape the sewer lines and are integral to creating the pressurized system needed for proper drainage. The vent pipes run from your drain pipes and come out on your roof. When a sewer vent is clogged, it could cause drainage issue in your home. Here are some signs that you may have a clogged sewer vent.

Gurgling Drains

If you hear gurgling after your flush your toilet or drain the tub, you could have a sewer vent clog. The gurgling can be air escaping up through the drain, instead of up the sewer vent pipe. You may see bubbles coming up through the water in a draining sink, tub or toilet.

Sewer Odors

If air is coming up your drains instead of using the sewer vent, you could notice sewer odors coming from your drains. This means they are not working correctly.

Slow Drains and Ongoing Clogs

Sewer vents can be clogged for months and causing ongoing problems. If your toilet or other drains seem to backup more often than normal, or several drains are slow, it could be a sewer vent clog. Leaves, pests and other debris can get inside the vent and block the airway. You could also have a clog where the vent pipe intersects with the drain pipe, causing backups and slow drains.

If you have any of these signs of a clogged sewer vent, contact your local plumber or sewer service company. They can inspect your sewer vent and drain pipes to find and fix the problem.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing Inc
Sterling, VA 20166
(703) 435-4441

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Warning Signs Your Main Sewer Line is Clogged

December 4th, 2018 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Under your yard, large sewer pipes sweep away waste from your home. Whether you have a septic system or are connected to a municipal sewer system, these sewer lines are critical to keep your plumbing working correctly. Many homeowners can go years, even decades, without any problems with their sewer lines, especially if they keep up with maintenance. However, clogs and do form and when they do, they can cause a sewer backup into your home. Here are some of the warning signs that you may have a clog forming in your main sewer line.

  • Slow drains. If you notice more than one drain in your home is slow, it could be a clog in your sewer line. It usually begins with the drains closest to the sewer line outlet in the lower levels of the home. If only one drain is slow, it is more likely a localized clog in your plumbing.
  • Bad odors. When you smell sewage near your drains or in your yard, you may have a sewer line clog. Sewage may be trapped in the pipes and the fumes can come up through your sink and shower drains.
  • Wet spot in the yard. If a tree root has clogged your sewer line, it could also cause a leak in the pipe, letting sewage out into the soil. This can cause a wet area in the yard or a green spot in your lawn.

If you have any signs of a sewer line clog, don’t hesitate to call your sewer professional. Clearing it before it gets worse can prevent a sewer backup in your home and the damage that it can create. Many sewer line clogs can be swiftly removed with hydro-jetting by your local sewer service company.

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

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5 Ways to Avoid Sewer Line Clogs

April 1st, 2018 Posted in Drain Lines
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You hope when you flush the toilet or wash something down the drains of your home, everything goes through the pipes and to the septic or main sewer line. But if a clog forms in your main sewer line, that waste could come back into your home. It is much easier to prevent a sewer line clog than to deal with the expense and mess of dealing with a sewer backup. Here are five tips to avoid sewer line drain clogs. 

  1. Paper only in toilets. Toilets are the number one cause of sewer line clogs because they will flush down larger items that can stick in your pipes. Only flush waste and toilet paper down the toilet – no baby wipes, cotton swabs, feminine hygiene products or anything else should be flushed.
  2. No grease. Wipe and scrape greasy pans and plates before you rinse or wash them in the kitchen sink. Grease will attract debris and is the glue for many clogs. Have a grease can to use to pour off excess after cooking -never put it down your kitchen sink drain.
  3. Use drain strainers. Put strainers in all your drains to catch food particles, hair, soap and other items from going down the drain.
  4. Be careful of misuse of a garbage disposal. Garbage disposals can only do so much to breakdown food. Don’t put hard or fibrous items in your disposal like bone, tough peels or egg shells.
  5. Keep trees away from sewer lines. Tree roots are one of the main culprits of broken or clogged sewer lines. Never plant trees near your sewer lines to avoid future problems as they get bigger.

Just a few precautions can help you avoid sewer line clogs. To keep your lines clear, schedule hydrojetting from your sewer service company once a year to remove all sludge from the pipes and prevent sewer backups from clogs.

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

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Household Grease and the Septic System

February 7th, 2018 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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When you have a septic system, you have a small water treatment plant in your backyard. The system can be fickle and if the wrong items are allowed into the septic tank, it can cause an issue with the breakdown system in the tank and filtering of effluent. Household cleaners, chemicals, paints and even prescription drugs can have an impact on your septic system. However, one common element that causes many septic problems is household grease, a simple yet harmful agent when too much is allowed into your system.

Why Is Household Grease Bad for Septic Systems?

First and foremost, grease is bad for any plumbing, whether you have a septic system or not. Grease and fats from cooking can be the culprits for clogs in the interior plumbing and the sewer lines. However, beyond clogging the pipes, grease also does not breakdown in the septic tank. Too much household grease can cause a layer that covers your drain field. A biomat can form that stops the effluent from the septic tank from filtering down through the soil. If a biomat forms, it can lead to septic failure and the need for a new drain field or septic system.

To prevent damage to your septic system, make the effort to keep all household grease out of your drains. Wipe out pans and plates, and dump grease in the garbage before you rinse or wash them, reducing the amount of fats that enter your septic system.

Talk to your local septic service about what can and cannot go down the drain to prevent septic problems. Also adhere to regular septic maintenance and septic tank pumping through your septic service company.

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

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Why Hydro Jetting Is the Best Solution for Sewer Line Blockages

February 7th, 2018 Posted in Sewer Lines
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When there is a blockage or clog deep in a sewer line, hydro jetting is an excellent option for clearing the pipe. This professional service offered by sewer and septic service companies uses high-powered water to flush out the pipes and any blockages. Beyond being effective, hydro jetting has other benefits when used for clearing sewer lines. Here is why high pressure hydro jetting is the best solution for removing sewer line blockages.

No Chemicals

Unlike other types of clog removal, hydro jetting only uses water, with no added chemicals or other substances. This is a greener solution for the environment, plus it protects your plumbing and sewer lines from additional damage.

Better for Grease Clogs

The problem with grease clogs is that they are difficult to snake out of a deep pipe. They are soft yet can create a solid wall in your sewer lines. Hydro jetting flushes the grease out instead of pulling it out, making it much more effective in completely clearing grease blockages.

Quick and Less Mess

With hydro jetting, a digital video camera can find the clog and it can be flushed out with pressured water. There is no digging up pipes or pulling out debris from the pipes. The inside of the sewer line is completely cleaned and the “mess” goes through to the city sewer line or your septic system.

If you have a slow or clogged sewer line, call your local sewer/septic service that offers hydro jetting. In one day your sewer line can be inspected, and if it is only a clog, hydro jetting can be used to clear the pipes and get your plumbing working correctly again.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283

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Sewer Line Problem? Clogs Versus Broken Pipes

January 11th, 2017 Posted in Sewer Lines
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A sewer line problem is never a fun surprise. Since sewer pipes are located underground, it can be an issue that sneaks up on you, slowly becoming a big problem. But what exactly is going on underground? If you are noticing that your drains are slow to dispel water or your toilet backs up, there is an issue, but what? The two most common issues are sewer line clogs and broken pipes, so which is causing your sewer backup problem?

Clogged Sewer Pipes

If you have a major clog in a sewer line, it is usually a gradual issue that slowly becomes worse. You may notice that your bathtub or kitchen sink seem to take longer to drain, becoming slower and slower. There may be a nasty odor coming from your drains as wastewater sits in the pipes in your home. Fats, oil, paper, inorganic objects and even tree roots can cause clogs that continue to close the inside of your sewer lines, eventually causing a backup into your home.

Broken Sewer Pipes

A broken sewer line can also cause a backup, but it is usually more sudden than a clog. Also, if a pipe has broken, it is most likely leaking out wastewater into the ground. You may see an area in your yard that is wet or sunken above the broken pipe. There also could be an odor in your yard, alerting you to a sewer leak below the surface.

If you have noticed any of these issues, you need to call your local sewer service company to inspect your sewer lines. They can quickly find out whether it is a clog or a broken pipe and offer a repair solution.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing Inc
Sterling, VA
(703) 435-4441

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Handling a Sewer Backup Emergency

March 13th, 2016 Posted in Drain Cleaning
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If you read a post on social media that one of your friends or family is dealing with a sewer backup, you immediately cringe and can empathize with their frustration. Even if you have been lucky enough not to go through it in your own home, you can imagine the discomfort of the situation. A sewer backup can cause extensive damage to your home, as well as cause a health hazard. Knowing how to handle these situations can help you get through them quicker and without injury to your family. Here are some tips to handle a sewer backup effectively.

  • Call a professional right away.  A sewer backup is a true emergency – don’t wait to call a professional, even if it is in the middle of the night. Many plumbers and sewer services are on call 24/7.
  • Prevent electrical shock. Be aware of the potential of electric shock if water is on the floors. If possible, turn off the electrical breaker to the affected rooms and don’t use electrical equipment when in standing water.
  • Prevent exposure to raw sewage water. Sewer water is full of potentially harmful bacteria, making it dangerous to your family. Until it can be cleaned thoroughly, keep everyone including pets away from the area, staying elsewhere if possible.
  • Expect clean up expenses. A severe sewer backup may require professional removal. It is critical that all the moisture is removed to prevent mold growth and that all surfaces are decontaminated for your family’s safety.

Though no one wants to experience a sewer backup, they do happen. However, many can be prevented with regular sewer or septic system inspections. Talk to your local plumber or sewer professional about what you can do to prevent sewer backups in your home.

Posted on behalf of:
Hunter’s Septic Service
Nesbit, MS
(662) 429-1686

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Clear Your Sewer Lines with Hydrojetting

January 26th, 2016 Posted in Drain Cleaning
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Are you experiencing slow drains, or worse, sewer back-ups? You may have a clogged sewer pipe. Sewer lines, like any plumbing, can become clogged with fat, grease, hair and other debris that goes down your drains. But it is not just what you put down the drain that can cause a blockage. Sometimes the trees growing in your yard can be the culprit, with roots growing into your pipes. Whatever the reason for the clog, the easiest way to remove a sewer line blockage is with hydrojetting.

What Is Hydrojetting?

Professional sewer service companies use high pressure water to clean out sewer lines through a process called hydrojetting. Similar to pressure washing, this professional service can safely remove even severe clogs in your underground sewer lines without needing to dig up the pipes. Using specialized equipment, the high pressured water cleans the debris stuck inside the pipes and can even remove tree roots that have grown into the lines, causing blockages.

To prepare for hydrojetting, most sewer service companies will first inspect the pipes using a video camera. Using these small digital cameras, sewer professionals can find the clogs and inspect the interior of the pipes to ensure that there is not any other repairs needed. Then after the hydrojetting is completed, the pipes can be inspected again to make sure all clogs, roots and debris is removed.

Hydrojetting is a great way to remove clogs; it can also be used as part of your maintenance plan to prevent clogs. Talk to your local sewer service company about scheduling a hydrojetting service for your sewer pipes as a solution to slow drains or as a prevention measure.

Posted on behalf of:
Septic Service Pro, LLC
Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30334
(678) 292-8728

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A Surprising Cause of Many Bathroom Sewer Pipe Clogs

December 2nd, 2015 Posted in Sewer Lines
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No one wants to deal with a toilet backup. There is never a good time to flush your toilet, just to watch the water and waste overflow all over your bathroom. We all know the biological reasons that toilets may get clogged and overflow, but did you know that often there are other items that can cause a major sewer line clog? The answer is what you store around your toilet.

Every see a cute basket of tiny soaps or toiletries placed on the top of a toilet tank? Or maybe it is some small decorative candles or other items. Other times, there are shelves located above or near the toilet that contain small items. And often, these small items end up in the toilet.

Whether it is by accident or a child decides to see how many of those travel-sized lotion bottles they can flush down the toilet, those small items can easily clog your sewer lines. Once stuck, they will collect toilet paper and other items until they form a solid clog that will back up your toilet and other drains in the house. The best solution is to not keep these small objects near your toilet to prevent accidental drops into the bowl and deter children from playing the flushing game.

However, if you do get a backed up toilet, always try to plunge the clog first. If that does not dislodge the clog, call your local sewer service company to have them inspect your sewer pipes. They can remove almost any clog quickly and easily and get your toilet back to working the way it should.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

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Plumbing Snakes Vs. Hydro Jetting for Clogs

September 9th, 2015 Posted in Sewer Lines
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For many years, the plumbing snake has been the ultimate tool for removing clogs. Every plumber has a commercial plumbing snake in their toolbox for good reason. These tools can cut through a clog in a drain and remove the clog quickly and efficiently. However, even though the clog may be removed, a snake does not thoroughly clean your sewer pipes. To completely remove a clog, you need professional hydro jetting.

Why Hydro Jetting for Clogs Is Better Than a Snake

Although a snake can pull out a clog from a drain, they are not efficient at clearing all debris from inside of a sewer pipe. The snake will pull out the middle of a nasty clog and allow the pipe to drain again, but most likely there is still residue clinging to the inside of the pipe that can quickly collect debris to form another clog.

Hydro jetting performed by a professional sewer service can remove clogs and also clean the inside of the sewer pipes. Using high pressure water, the clog is flushed out, along with the sticky residue on the interior of the pipe. This water pressure is strong enough to even clear out tree roots that have infiltrated sewer lines outside of the home. So, not only is the initial clog gone, the entire length of the sewer line can be thoroughly cleaned, preventing future sewer line clogs and problems.

Hydro jetting service can also be used as part of sewer line maintenance. Instead of waiting for a clog to form, regular hydro jet cleanings can remove debris and keep sewer line clogs from forming. Talk to your local sewer service company that offers hydro jetting about scheduling a routine cleaning for your sewer pipes.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283

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