Prevent Sewer Line Problems

No one wants to wake up to a sewer backup into their home. However, if sewer line problems are left unchecked, that could be your reality one morning in the future. The problem is that most homeowners do not know they have a potential sewer line issue until it is too late. Stop waiting for the sewer backup to occur and invest in some preventive maintenance.

You maintain your car, HVAC and other systems to prevent failure. The same should be true of your sewer and plumbing system. Clogs don’t happen overnight, nor do rust or corrosion. These are issues that can be caught in the early stages and fixed before they cause a nasty and expensive sewer backup. But it is not something you can do on your own. You need to be able to see what is happening in your sewer lines to mitigate issues – you need a sewer professional.

Camera Inspections and Hydrojetting

The best way to maintain your sewer lines is to schedule a camera inspection through your local sewer service professional. Using a small digital camera, your sewer technician can investigate your sewer lines from the inside. They can view whether there are any clogs forming, tree roots that have invaded your pipes or breaks in the pipe that need repair.

After the inspection, if there is any sludge, tree roots or clog formations in your sewer lines, your sewer tech can clear your lines with hydrojetting. This gives your pipes a thorough cleaning, keeping them clear and free from debris that can cause a sewer backup.

Don’t wait for a mess in your bathroom or a soggy sewer spot in your yard to tell you there is a sewer line issue. Call your local sewer service to schedule preventive maintenance today.

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

Springtime Septic System Maintenance

After the cold months of winter have passed, there are many chores to consider around your home. You have a lawn to maintain, gardens to plant and cleanup from the winter storms. Another item to add to your to-do list for spring is septic system maintenance. You want to ensure your system did not sustain any damage from freezing, excess water or other issues throughout the winter. Here is a checklist of septic maintenance to do this springtime. 

  • Inspect your drain field. Drain fields can be damaged if too much water accumulated or if freezing temperatures cracked drainage pipes. Do an inspection of your drain field. Look for any signs of bio mat or standing water that is not absorbing into the ground; a bad odor is also a sign of issues.
  • Check your maintenance log. When was the last time your septic system was serviced and the tank pumped? After a busy winter of holiday gatherings and much time spent indoors, it may be time to have your system pumped and serviced.
  • Look for signs of trouble. Beyond the drain field, you can look for possible signs of sewer line problems in your yard and home. Soggy areas in your lawn where sewer lines run underneath could be a sign of a broken pipe that is leaking. Slow drains in the home could be alerting you to a clog. If there are any of these signs, schedule a camera inspection of your sewer lines to investigate the problem.

Your septic system should be designed to withstand the cold or wet months of winter, but there still can be problems that occur. Take the time this spring to inspect and service your septic system to avoid having your summer interrupted by a septic failure.

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

5 Things You Need to Know About Installing a New Septic System

If you are building a new home that will need a septic system, you want to make sure you start with everything you need for success. A septic system is a large investment and you want to ensure the one you install will last for decades to come. Planning and preparation are the most important aspects of building a new septic system that will last. Here are five things to consider when building a new septic system. 

  1. The type of system. There are several different systems available – gravity, mound, aerobic and others. The type of system you have will help determine the steps you need to take next.
  2. Tank placement. All septic systems need a tank that will hold the waste while it is treated. If you are building a home, this should be considered before you start the structure if possible.
  3. Drain field or mound. All septic systems need a place for the treated waste water from the tank to disperse. Whether you need a mound system or can use a drain field, you will need a place that will filter the water before it does into the ground. Drain fields will need to have the soil perc’d to ensure proper filtration will occur.
  4. Size of tank. The size of home and the amount of people in the home will help determine the size of septic tank you need. It is better to go larger than not big enough to avoid over-stressing the system.
  5. Find the right contractor. You need an experienced septic pro that can perform the inspections, install your system and ensure you have all the permits needed to meet local regulations.

Building a new septic system should be carefully planned to avoid problems in the future. Make sure you have a quality septic professional on your side to ensure your system is installed correctly and made to last.

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

Do You Know Where Your Sewer Lines Are?

It happens every spring and summer. A homeowner will decide on a great DIY project to do around their home without considering their sewer lines. Maybe they are building a new fence and rent a post hole digger to make the project easier or decide to build a koi pond in their back yard. The problem is, if you dig in the wrong spots and hit a sewer line, you could be in for a nasty and expensive surprise. Before you begin your next outdoor project that requires soil removal, make sure you know where your sewer lines are.

When sewer lines are installed, a schematic is made and often sent to the local municipality. However, if they have been changed since the original installation, the plans may not be up-to-date. If you can get the plans, that is a good first step, but you may not want to trust that alone. Here are some tips to ensure you know where the sewer lines and if they match what is on the plans if you can obtain them.

  • Where does your sewer line leave your home? Look under your crawlspace or in your basement and find the main sewer line. Knowing where it comes out gives you a starting point.
  • Where does the sewer line end? Your sewer line either goes to the city sewer line or your septic system. Unless there is a tree or other obstacle, they tend to run in a straight line from the home to the destination.
  • Check the physical components to your plans. If the plans and your physical inspection match, you should have a good indication of where the sewer lines are and where not to dig during your project.

If you are having problems locating your sewer lines, calling your local sewer/septic company can help. They can perform an inspection and give you exact dimensions on where your sewer lines are before you start your project.

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

Septic Tank Pumping 101

If you are new to owning a septic system, you may not know what to expect as far as pumping your tank. The problem is, every septic tank needs pumping at different intervals, depending on the amount of use and the size of the tank. Here are a few things you should know about septic tank pumping so you can plan for maintenance and avoid damage to your septic system and home.

What Size Tank Do You Have?

You should find out the size of the tank you own. When you bought your home, there should have been an inspection and details about your septic system and the size of the tank. Tanks are usually built based on the number of bathrooms/bedrooms in your home.

When Was Your Tank Last Pumped?

Most septic tanks need to be pumped every 2-3 years, but some can wait longer. If your tank is too small for the number of people living in the home, you may find yourself pumping every year. Find out when the last time the tank was pumped. If it has been more than a year, you may want to schedule an inspection and possible pumping to ensure you don’t overflow your system.

What Goes Down, Must Come Out

If you have always been on a city sewer system, you are used to unlimited amount of waste that can be allowed down your drains. With a septic tank, too much use will mean more frequent pumping. Limit the amount of food, waste and even water that goes down your drains to keep maintenance and pumping frequency low.

Once you get an idea of how big your tank is and how quickly your family will fill it, you can get on a regular pumping schedule with your local septic company. They can help you determine the right frequency to avoid waiting too long between pumping intervals.

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

Sump Pump Service and Maintenance Tips

Your sump pump keeps the excess water from entering your home, preventing thousands of dollars in damage and other problems. It quietly does its job, especially through the wettest months of the year. However, you don’t want to become complacent when it comes to your sump pump. Like any piece of equipment, it needs maintenance, occasional repairs and eventually replacement when it no longer can do the job. Here are some tips to keep your sump pump running smoothly and to avoid a sump pump failure.

  • Do a visual inspection of the pit. Even if you don’t know much about sump pumps, you can look to see if there is anything in the pit that shouldn’t be there. Take the cover off your sump pump pit and check to see if there are any rocks or debris accumulated. Remove any solid objects – these can cause clogs.
  • Check hoses and float. Make sure the hoses are securely connected and the float can move up and down. Small issues can cause big problems, and these are two of the most common.
  • Do a test run. Get a bucket of water and add it to your pit. This should trigger your sump pump so you can see if it is working correctly. Make sure the water is pumped out – check to make sure it comes out from the drain outside, which should be directed away from your home.

If anything does not look or work right, call your sewer expert that handles sump pump repairs and maintenance. Or, if you don’t have time to do a quick inspection yourself, schedule a service on your sump pump to give you peace of mind that your equipment is maintained and in good condition for the months to come.

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

5 Ways to Avoid Sewer Line Clogs

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