What To Do When You Have A Sewer Back-Up

November 19th, 2014 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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One of the most frustrating events you can experience as a homeowner is a sewer backup, or backflow. Whether you’re on a city sewer or have a septic system, the end result is the same: a foul mess in your home. Many sewer back-ups can dump gallons of sewer waste into your home, causing water damage and dangerous contamination in addition to the underlying sewer problem. If this happens to you, it’s important to know what to do to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.

  • Determine the cause. There is a big difference between a back-up due to internal plumbing and a backflow from the sewer or septic system. If you’re dealing with a clogged toilet or drain, usually only one appliance will be affected. A backflow will bring sewer water out of several drains, usually starting with the lower drains in the house.
  • Call a professional. If the problem is a clogged drain, you can call a plumber. However, if it is a septic or sewer issue, you will want to call a septic-sewer professional. You may also need to inform your municipality if you are on a city sewer.
  • Contain the problem. Sewer water can contain dangerous bacteria, making it a health hazard. Turn off your central heat and air system and, if possible, keep the flow away from floor vents. Keep your family and pets away from the contaminated area.
  • Plan for clean-up. In most cases, it is advisable to hire a professional to clean-up a major sewer backflow. It will require water removal, plus disinfecting of the area exposed to waste.

It is unfortunate when a sewer back-up occurs. However, many can be prevented with annual sewer or septic maintenance. Talk to your local septic-sewer service about what you can do to avoid back-ups in the future.

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

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Do You Know Where Your Underground Sewer Lines Are?

November 19th, 2014 Posted in Sewer Lines
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You may walk over them every day, and never know where they’re located. Sewer lines transporting your wastewater run from your home to the city sewer line or out to your septic system, located a few feet under the ground surrounding your house. Since you don’t see them, they’re often forgotten or neglected, which can lead to problems over time. Planting trees too close to your sewer lines or driving over the top of them can be a source of significant damage, and often happens because you don’t know which areas to avoid. Learning where your sewer lines are can help you protect them, saving you money on expensive sewer line repairs in the future.

Locating Your Outdoor Sewer Lines

If you had your home built, finding out where your sewer lines are shouldn’t be difficult. You should have received blueprints or diagrams from the contractor when the plumbing and sewer lines were installed. However, if you bought your home from a previous owner, you may need to do a little research to find out the exact location of your sewer lines.

You can try contacting the last owner to see if they have information on your sewer lines. If that isn’t an option, you may be able to contact municipal agencies in your area if you are using the city sewer system. They often have property maps on file which identify where sewer pipes are located. For homeowners on a septic system, see if you can find the company that installed your system originally.

If you can’t find the plans or map of your sewer lines, you can make an educated guess. There should be a larger drain pipe which exits your house. If you have a basement, that would be the first place to look. If you can find that pipe, you know where it starts, then can trace the path it would need to take to the city sewer or septic.

One other option is to have a sewer line inspection, which is a good practice for maintaining your sewer lines. Your local sewer-septic contractor can perform an inspection on your pipes and help you locate the path of your septic lines, plus give you tips on how to protect them from damage.

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

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Is There A Funky Smell Coming From Your Sink?

November 19th, 2014 Posted in Drain Cleaning
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It shouldn’t be a surprise that your sink drains can become odorous, emitting a funky smell which canbe caused by a variety of factors. Consider all the different foods and liquids which end up going down your drains; if you left these items in a bucket in your home, they would eventually begin to sour or rot. Even if you don’t have  a clogged drain, there can still be a collection of food particles, hair and oils that can adhere to your pipes and begin to attract smelly bacteria. If your sink has a foul smell, it is time to clean out your drain and the pipes.

Cleaning Your Sink Drains

The first step to getting rid of odors in your kitchen or bath is to clean out the drain in your sink. If you have a pop-up or drain cover, these will need to be removed. Remove all debris and use a disinfectant cleaner to clean the pop-up or drain cover. While this will help, there is usually more debris trapped below if you are smelling a powerful odor.

You can begin by using an old toothbrush or bristled brush to clean the drain while the drain cover or pop-up is pulled out. Scrub the pipe and pull out any hair, debris or crusted food that may be attached to the outside of the pipes. After cleaning the top pipe, try pouring boiling water down the drain to remove any excess particles and to disinfect the area.

If there is still an odor, you may have debris collected in the elbow pipe below the sink. It is common for clogs to form in the nook of this pipe. This will require disassembling the pipes below to clear any layers of gunk which may be stuck in the pipe.

If you are unable to disassemble the pipe yourself or need further assistance finding the source of the odor, call your local sewer or septic professional. The source of the odor may be farther down the pipes, and may be a sign of a sewer or septic issue.

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

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Is Your Basement Ready For Wet, Winter Weather?

November 19th, 2014 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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Higher water levels during the winter and following spring are often the causes of basement flooding. If you have a home with a basement prone to flooding, the best solution is the installation of a sump pump. Sump pumps collect excess water surrounding your home’s foundation and pump the water out away from the structure to prevent flooding and potential foundation damage. With winter quickly approaching, now is the time to ensure you have a properly working sump pump to keep water from flooding your basement, causing expensive water and mold damage.

Installing A New Sump Pump For Your Home

If  you have a home with a basement and do not yet have a sump pump installed, opting to install one is a worthwhile investment. It only takes one heavy wet season to flood your basement, and cause expensive water damage to your home. Not only will floodwater ruin flooring, walls and furniture, it can leave moisture residue that causes mold problems. Your local sewer or septic service company can install a new sump pump to keep your basement dry throughout the wet season.

Maintaining A Sump Pump

For those who already have a sump pump, you will want to make sure your pump is ready for the winter by having it inspected and serviced. Just like any mechanical device, your sump pump will need preventative maintenance and attention from time to time to keep it running properly. It is much easier and less expensive to maintain your sump pump than to have it fail when you need it most. Call your local sewer or septic professional to schedule a sump pump inspection before the full force of winter is upon us.

Posted on behalf of:
A-Flo Free Septic
Lawrenceville, GA
(770) 927-7926

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Protecting Your Septic Drain Field

November 19th, 2014 Posted in Drain Field
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One of the most important components of many septic systems is the leach or drain field .For a septic system to work correctly, wastewater released from the septic tank must be quickly absorbed into the soil within a drainfield, which naturally cleans the water as it travels through the soil. If the process is interrupted in any way, it can cause the drainfield and, by extension, the entire septic system to fail. For this reason alone, it’s of vital importance that homeowners take particular care of their drainfield area.

Tips For Maintaining Your Drain Field

If you have a septic system with a drain field, you need to be aware of what’s happening in and near the area. There are several factors which can affect your drain field, causing it to flood, back up or become unbalanced. However, if properly maintained and protected, a drain field can last for 20-30 years. Some ways to protect your drain field include:

  • Do not drive or walk on the area. Your drain or leach field needs to be left undisturbed. The pipes connecting it to the septic tank are located right beneath the surface. Restricting this area, keeping vehicles and even those on foot away from the somewhat delicate pipes is an important part of protecting your drainfield.
  • Divert excess rainwater. Too much water can destroy your drainfield. Divert water from house gutters and other run-off away from the drain field area so your septic system doesn’t become overwhelmed.
  • Keep tree roots away from the area. Tree roots are naturally attracted to the moist soil of a drainfield, and are also one of the most common culprits when it comes to septic damage. Don’t plant trees or large bushes near your drainfield or septic system to keep roots from penetrating your septic pipes.

As a homeowner, you should always be keeping an eye on your drainfield. Be aware of any excess water, effluent accumulating on the surface and foul odors, all of which are signs of drain field problems that should be addressed by your septic professional.

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

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Repairing Old Cast Iron Sewer Pipes

November 19th, 2014 Posted in Sewer Lines
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If your home is a few decades old, or older, cast iron sewer pipes may still be in place around your property. Although cast iron pipes have been known to last for several decades, they can and eventually do rust or corrode. Common problems with the se older pipes are rust, or areas which leak and can cause the pipe to break. If your home still has older, cast iron sewer lines, you have a few options when they begin to fail or cause problems.

Repair, Or Replace?

Usually, the first sign that your cast iron sewer pipes are nearing the end of their lifespan is a leak or busted pipe in one section of your sewer line. It may be a joint dislocation or just a cracked pipe, both of which can be repaired. Many times a homeowner will choose to replace the portion of the pipe, often fitting a PVC pipe to replace the broken section of cast iron. However, once one problem emerges, there are bound to be more in the future.

While a small repair on your cast iron pipes may seem like an affordable option, it may be time to consider investing in a new sewer line. There are a few options to replace or reline your pipes to prevent future sewer problems. Some options include:

  • Full replacement. Digging up your old cast iron pipes and replacing them with PVC or other piping is the traditional method of sewer line replacement.
  • Trenchless replacement. Consider using trenchless replacement, which is less invasive, using minimal digging to install new piping.
  • Relining. If your cast iron pipes are still intact, an affordable option is adding lining to their interior, stopping leaks and rust from the inside.

Be aware that once you begin needing to have repairs on your cast iron sewer pipes, it’s only a matter of time before you will need a more permanent solution. Talk to your local sewer contractor about what options they have for replacing your old sewer pipes to prevent sewer emergencies.

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

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Shopping For A Sewer Contractor

November 19th, 2014 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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Both sewer line repairs and replacement can be a large, albeit necessary, expense. When it comes time to schedule these types of sewer repairs, you may be concerned about the price you will pay for the project. However, you also need to know the sewer contractor you hire is honest, reliable and experienced. Before hiring any sewer contractor, make sure you shop around for not only a fair price, but also a contractor who will provide quality workmanship and stand behind their service.

Tips On Hiring A Sewer Contractor

When shopping for a sewer contractor, there are a few factors to keep in mind. Depending on what type of repair is needed, where you live and your budget, there may be a vast difference in contractors who are qualified to perform the service. While many plumbing companies offer sewer repair or replacement services, not all may be certified to work on your sewer pipe problem. Some factors to research while looking for your contractor include:

  • Side sewer contractors. If you are on a city sewer system, you may need a certified or registered side sewer contractor. Some municipalities require a side sewer contractor to work on certain portions of the sewer line between your home and the city sewer connection.
  • Experience. Check the amount of experience each contractor has, and ask for local referrals. You want a company with an excellent reputation for quality work and service.
  • Sewer repair or replacement options. Find out what type of repair or replacement options the sewer contractor offers. Many contractors offer trenchless options or pipe relining, which can be less expensive and invasive than traditional trenched repairs or replacement.

Every homeowner should have a reliable sewer contractor they can call for both scheduled services and in a sewer emergency. Take the time to find an experienced sewer company with the right credentials and reputation before using them to perform your important sewer repairs.

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

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Tips To Reduce Heavy Water Use During The Holidays

November 19th, 2014 Posted in Septic System
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The winter holidays bring together family and friends to celebrate, usually with large meals and overnight guests. For many people, these gatherings are some of the happiest times of the year, filled with opportunities to spend time with loved ones. However, for septic system owners, these large parties and extra people mean more water use and a higher chance of septic failure. The best way to avoid a septic emergency in the middle of the holidays is to plan ahead, and reduce your water use during these festive occasions. 

Plan Ahead To Reduce Holiday Water Use

Having guests over for the holidays will mean more water used for cleaning, cooking and personal hygiene. If your septic system has been maintained, it should be able to handle some extra water use. However, there are still ways to reduce the amount of water going down the drain, lowering the impact on your septic system. Plan ahead for your big holiday gatherings to reduce the amount of water used within any 24-hour period:

  • Disposable plates and flatware. Washing dishes before and after large meals is a large use of water. Cut this down by using disposable plates and flatware during the holiday season, which don’t need to be washed.
  • Don’t run water down the drain. Instead of rinsing items like plates or vegetables under running water, keep a water container in the sink to collect rinse water. You can dispose of this water outside instead letting it go down the drain.
  • Wash laundry ahead of time. Reduce the amount of water used near the day of your holiday gatherings by doing laundry several days before, giving your septic a rest before the big day.

Cutting out any water that needs to go into your septic system will help reduce the chance of a problem during the holidays. In addition, scheduling a septic inspection and annual maintenance before the holidays is always a good way to ensure it’s ready to handle the busy season ahead.

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

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What Is A Percolation Test For Septic Systems?

November 19th, 2014 Posted in Drain Field
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If you are looking to buy or own rural property to build on, you may have heard that you will need a percolation test done on the property. Before a traditional septic system can be added to a piece of property, the law requires that the soil be tested for absorption. This is referred to a percolation or perc test, which evaluates how quickly water is absorbed into the earth. A failed perc test means that a leach or drain field cannot be used on the property, requiring alternative options for installing a septic system.

How A Perc Test Is Performed

Anyone can perform a perc test; however, to have a septic system installed, most states or local authorities will require that a perc test is done by a certified professional. The test records how quickly the soil absorbs water, usually by creating a hole filled with water, then timing how long it takes for the water level to lower. To past this test, soil should drain at a moderate rate, not too quickly or too slowly. This is to ensure that waste water released from the septic system into the drain or leach field will be absorbed into the soil, being cleansed before it enters the groundwater below.

What Happens If A Perc Test Fails?

If you have a perc test performed on the property and the test fails, there are still other options for installing a septic system. Although these other options may be more complicated and possibly more expensive, they may be worth exploring if the property is a desirable spot to build a home or business. Talk to your local septic professional to discuss what septic options are available in your area in the case of a failed perc test.

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

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What Is An Alternative Septic System?

November 19th, 2014 Posted in Septic System
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The traditional septic system contains two major parts: the septic tank and the drainfield. The traditional septic is  one of the more affordable systems, making it also one of the most common. However, there are other, alternative septic systems which can be used to treat wastewater.  These other systems can give homeowners more options, especially in areas where a traditional septic system isn’t feasible.

Types Of Alternative Septic System Options

A conventional septic system is used to separate and break down solid waste from black water, used for both residential properties and businesses. There are various alternative septic systems which can also manage and treat waste water, though some can only process gray water. For use in a home or business that needs black water treatment, here are a few of the alternative types of septic systems:

–        Mound system. In areas where there are environmental concerns or poor soil for drain field conditions, mound systems are often used. These are one of the more common alternative septic systems, creating a mounded soil filter above the ground to treat wastewater.

–        Aerobic system. Using oxygen, these systems work to break down solids quicker and more efficiently, creating cleaner wastewater that is released from the tank.

–        Sand filter system. A sand filter is used to clean waste water before it is released into the soil from the septic tank. Intermittent sand filters pass the water through once, while recirculating systems pass the water through filters twice.

Many times, alternative systems are used for septic systems on land which does not pass a perc test or in regions with laws regulating the use of drainfields. If you are interested in learning more about alternative septic systems available in your area, talk to your local septic service company.

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

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