Is Your Sewer Line Cracked or Clogged?

November 27th, 2017 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Your main sewer line can perform for years without any problems. Waste flows through it and to your septic tank or city sewer line, out of sight and out of mind. But those underground pipes can break or get clogged, causing a sewer line emergency. Both situations require a sewer line service, but may have different signs of trouble. Here are the differences, and similarities, between the two.

Cracked Sewer Line

A cracked or broken sewer line often occurs at a joint in a pipe. Tree roots are common culprits of creating a break, forcing their way into the joint crevices to access the water inside. If you have a cracked sewer line, some of the signs of the problem may be:

  • Wet spot in your yard
  • Greener grass in that area
  • Sewage smell in your yard
  • Sewage backups- this occurs when the broken pipe becomes blocked
  • Soil erosion or soft spots in your yard

Clogged Sewer Line

Clogs can occur from an accumulation of sludge and waste debris that adheres inside your sewer line. Tree roots can also be a catalyst to clogs. Some of the signs your sewer line is forming a clog or is completely clogged:

  • Slow drains in many sinks, showers and toilets simultaneously
  • Sewage backup in the drains closest to the main sewer line
  • Sewage odor coming from the drains in your home

When you see signs of a sewer line problem, call your local sewer or septic service. They can identify whether it is a clogged or cracked sewer line using a digital camera pipe inspection and fix the issue before it causes more problems in your home.

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

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5 Common Reasons for Septic Failure

November 27th, 2017 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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Septic failure is not an occurrence that any homeowner wants to have happen, but eventually most septic systems do fail. They can last for decades when properly maintained, but there are circumstances that can make a septic failure occur quicker than expected. If you know the main causes of septic failure, you can often prevent premature failure with your system. Here are five common reasons septic systems fail.

  1. Non-biodegradable items. Flushing items that are non-biodegradable is one of the top reasons for failure. Avoid putting plastic, cotton, rubber and other items down your drains, i.e. feminine hygiene products, cotton balls/swabs, “flushable” wipes, birth control items.
  2. Chemicals like paint, oil, solvents and strong cleaners can ruin the bacterial balance in your septic tanks, causing a septic back up.
  3. Drain field damage. If vehicles or other machinery are driven over drain fields, it can damage the pipes and cause a septic backup.
  4. Excessive water use. Putting more water into your septic system than it is designed to handle can cause failure. Using water conservation techniques and water-efficiency fixtures can help reduce water waste.
  5. Foregoing maintenance. The biggest impact on your septic system that can cause failure is not maintaining the tank, drain field and equipment. Regular inspections, pumping and replacement of components as needed can help extend the life of your septic system by many years.

What you put down your drains has a big impact on the health of your septic system. Keeping grease, oil, chemicals and non-biodegradable items out of your drains is important, and lowering water use can also have an impact. Make sure you also schedule regular maintenance with your local septic service company can catch issues early and help prevent failure.

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

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How Can You Tell Your Septic Lift Station Isn’t Working?

November 27th, 2017 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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For some septic systems, a lift station is needed to pump effluent from the septic tank to the drain field. While conventional systems use gravity, a lift station is needed where topography requires the tank to be at a lower elevation than the drain field. If the lift station doesn’t work properly, waste water will accumulate in the tank and backup your system. Here are ways to tell if your lift station is not working right to prevent a septic system failure.

Your lift station or sewage pump is activated by the water levels in the pit where the sewage pump is located. When the water level reaches a certain point, the pump turns on and pumps the water to the distribution box of the drain field. Most lift stations are equipped with an alarm system to let you know if the pit is too full, indicating the pump is not working correctly. Signs that the lift station is not working right include: 

  • High level alarm goes off. If your alarm is working correctly, it should alert you when the water level is too high in your lift station.
  • Sewage odor. If you smell sewage in your basement, near your sump pump or by the septic system, you should check your lift station for problems.
  • Septic backups. Lift station breakdowns will cause the septic tank to fill quickly, causing a backup of sewage into your home.

Since lift stations require mechanical equipment to work properly, it is vital to have your lift station maintained. Replacing corroded components and maintaining the pump can help prevent emergency issues with your lift station. Make sure to schedule a lift station and septic system inspection and maintenance through your local septic service at least once a year.

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

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Tips to Keep your Septic Tank in Great Shape

November 27th, 2017 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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A septic tank is where the waste from your home is collected and breaks down into effluent that can be filtered back in the ground water on your property. It is an essential component to any septic system, regardless of the type of system you own. Keeping your septic tank in great shape is vital to ensure your system continues to function for many years to come. Here are some tips to care for your septic tank through preventive maintenance.

  • Keep trees and large plants away. Roots from trees, shrubs and large plants can damage your septic tank and sewer lines. Do not plant any of these larger plants near your septic tank or other septic components to protect them from root infiltrations.
  • Reduce water use. The more water and waste that goes through your septic tank, the quicker your tank and system will need to be replaced. Lower your water use by installing efficiency fixtures in your home, including low-flow toilets, showerheads and efficient appliances.
  • Be careful what you put down your drains. Septic systems are fickle; keep chemicals, plastics, cotton hygiene items, diapers and other non-biodegradable items out of your drains and toilets.
  • Schedule regular inspections and pumping. One of the best ways to protect your septic tank is with professional inspections, maintenance and septic tank pumping by your local septic service company.

Septic tank replacements can be expensive. Make your septic tank last and save money with these preventive tips to reduce wear and tear on your tank and entire septic system. It can help prevent septic breakdowns and sewage backups, while helping your tank last for many years.

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

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What Happens When Your Septic Tank is Pumped?

November 27th, 2017 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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Are you new to owning a home with a septic system? If you have never had to maintain a septic system, it is important to learn about the best way to maintain your system to prevent problems. One of the basic maintenance tasks is having your septic tank pumped when it becomes full. Since you are new to this experience, here is what you can expect and what happens when your septic tank is pumped.

When to Have Your Tank Pumped

The first concern for most people new to septic systems is how often they should have their tank pumped. This can vary, depending on the size of the tank, the number of people living in the home and waste use. Typically, tanks need to be pumped every 2-5 years, but you should have annual inspections.

How Much Does It Cost?

Expense is always a concern. The good news is the expense of maintaining a septic system is usually much less on average than paying for city sewer service. Septic tank pumping cost varies by region and the size of your tank, but typically runs about $300-$500.

What to Expect the Day of Pumping

The company you hire will let you know what type of access they will need to pump your tank. Generally, you will need room in your driveway for their truck, so they can easily connect to your septic tank. Usually, the pumping service will include 1 or 2 backwashes to clean the tank after the sewage is pumped out. The whole process usually only takes less than an hour.

Pumping your septic tank helps prevent backups and problems. Talk to your local septic company to learn how to reduce waste for less frequent pumping and to protect your septic system.

Posted on behalf of:
Hunter’s Septic Service
Nesbit, MS 38651
(662) 429-1686

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Choosing a Reliable Sewer Line Repair Contractor

November 27th, 2017 Posted in Sewer Lines
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When you have a sewer line problem, you want it fixed as soon as possible, but you also want it repaired correctly. Hiring the first sewer line repair company that you find may not give you the results you desire. You want to find the best contractor, not the one who is the cheapest or happens to come up first in your search. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a sewer line repair contractor when you have a sewer backup, clog or other sewer line problem.

  • You want a sewer line contractor that has encountered and repaired all types of sewer line problems. Experience is important to ensure your problem will be fixed quickly and correctly.
  • Repair options. The last thing you want is to go through the trouble of having a contractor inspect your sewer line problem, then not be able to do the repair. Make sure the company you hire handles all types of sewer line repairs, not just plumbing problems.
  • Licensed and insured. Sewer line repairs can require extensive work done on your property with heavy equipment. Make sure the contractor you hire has the insurance and licensing require in your city or county. Keep in mind some city side sewer line repairs require a special license to work on these pipes that connect to the city sewer systems.

On top of their services, experience and licenses/insurance, check the reviews and reputation of the company you hire. It is better to take a little time to find a reputable, experienced contractor than have needing to find another company to do the repair again later if it not done correctly.

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

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What Can a Sewer Line Camera Inspection Reveal?

November 27th, 2017 Posted in Sewer Lines
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In the past, the only way to know what was happening in your sewer lines was to dig up the pipes, creating a big mess in your yard. Digital technology has made it easier to identify sewer line problems without the task of digging up pipes unless necessary for repair. Small digital video cameras are used by quality sewer and septic service companies that can be snaked through sewer lines to inspect the interior and identify problems, making it quicker and less expensive to maintain your sewer lines.

Sewer line camera inspections can be used as preventive maintenance to find possible issues before they cause a sewer line clog or backup. They can also help determine where a sewer line problem is, and what is causing a sewage backup. Some of the problems that can be revealed during a sewer line camera inspection include:

  • Tree root infiltration. Tree roots are often the cause of breaks or clogs in your sewer line. Camera inspections can reveal if any tree roots have found their way inside your pipes and where they are located.
  • Sludge buildup. A thick buildup of sludge can occur in sewer lines that can lead to clogs. Camera inspections can check the levels of sludge; high levels may require a clean out, usually with hydro jetting.
  • Clog or crack locations. If you have a clog or cracked pipe, your sewer line professional can use a camera inspection to find the location to begin repair.

Camera inspections make it quicker and easier to maintain sewer lines, saving you money and time. Choose a sewer or septic service that uses digital camera inspections for maintenance and repairs.

Posted on behalf of:
A Rooter & Septic
100 Paper Mill Rd, B-1
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
(770) 927-7926

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