Warning Signs Your Main Sewer Line is Clogged

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

Top 3 Common Septic Tank Issues

If you have a septic system, you know keeping the components in good working order is important. One of the main parts of your septic is your tank. This giant underground holding tank is where your solid waste is broken down, with some waste water being directed to your drain field and the solid waste accumulating as sludge. When a problem occurs with the tank, the entire system is at risk of failure.

Here are the top three tank issues that can affect your septic system.

  1. Leaks. If the tank walls crack or erode, the tank can begin leaking. When this happens, the waste water does not get distributed properly and can contaminate the soil. Most leaks cannot be repaired; the tank usually needs to be replaced.
  2. Not enough bacteria. If the bacteria needed to break down waste are not present, the tank will quickly fill up with solids. Chemicals can kill these bacteria; keeping chemicals out of the tank can help avoid this issue and there are additives that can help improve bacteria growth.
  3. Needs pumping. The most common problem with a septic tank is that it overflows. It is vital to have your septic tank serviced and the levels checked every year to avoid a full tank that will back up your septic system.

Scheduling an annual inspection for your complete septic system, including the tank, can help you avoid common septic tank problems. Regular pumping and checking the efficiency by septic professionals can help you proactively fix issues and keep your septic system working like it should. If it has been more than a year since your last septic service, call your local septic professional to schedule your maintenance.

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

What is a Sludge Check?

When you have a septic system, keeping an eye on your septic tank is vital to prevent overflow and backups. Unfortunately, checking the level of your septic tank is not an easy task. There are deadly fumes in your septic tank and accessing the inside is a chore. Septic professionals are the best option to keep an eye on your septic tank levels, including a sludge check.

Sludge, when referring to a septic tank, is the layer of solid waste residue that forms inside your septic tank. This is solid waste that has been semi-dissolved, but it still a thick substance that should not be distributed to your drain field. During regular service, septic professional check the sludge level to determine if your septic tank needs to be pumped. This sludge check should be performed at least once a year to ensure it does not reach dangerous levels.

In most cases, if the sludge check reveals the tank is approaching the two-thirds level of fullness, it is time to schedule a septic pumping. This means the sludge is filling more than half the tank and will need to be removed before it backups into the sewer lines or overflows into the drain field. Sludge will not breakdown and can ruin a drain field. It is important to keep up with regular sludge checks and other maintenance to prevent septic failures.

If it has been over a year since you had your septic system serviced and a sludge check performed, it is time to call your local septic service professional. They can safely check the level of sludge in your septic tank and perform a pumping if needed.

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

Safety Tips for Cleaning a Septic Tank

Have you ever cleaned your septic tank? Unless you are a septic professional, you probably have never seen the inside of your septic tank. Septic tanks are located underground and can be dangerous to access. The fumes created during the breakdown of waste are toxic and can be very dangerous if you do not have the right experience and equipment. Here are some safety tips you need to know about getting your septic tank cleaned.

  • Be careful around the septic tank opening. Once the lid is removed from the septic tank, it becomes a falling hazard. The area showed be marked to avoid anyone falling into the hole; also keep pets contained while the lid is off to avoid having a pet fall into the tank.
  • Beware of fumes. Even when you are only above the septic tank, the fumes can be strong enough to cause you to blackout. Stay away from the opening without the right expertise and breathing protection.
  • Cover your skin. Any small wound or break in the skin can be easily infected from the substances in your septic tank. Make sure all skin is covered and protected before going anywhere near your tank.
  • Hire a professional. There are too many risks involved to try to clean your septic tank yourself. You need the right equipment to pump the tank clean and the waste must be properly disposed of to avoid hefty fines.

The only safe way to clean your septic tank is to hire a licensed septic service professional. Don’t every try to clean or repair your septic tank on your own – the risks are too great.

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

Is a Trenchless Sewer Line Right for Your Septic Repair?

If you have a broken sewer line in your septic system, you may be wondering if a trenchless sewer line repair is a good option. No one relishes the thought of tearing up their yard to replace sewer lines, which is why trenchless pipe repairs can sound like a good option. However, there are some factors to consider before you choose a trenchless sewer line versus traditional pipe replacement.

Trenchless sewer line repairs are attractive to homeowners. They do not require the broken pipe be dug up with a trench. Instead, a pipe lining or soft-lined pipe is put in place of the broken pipe. This only involves digging two holes on either side of the broken pipe instead of a trench. This can save landscaping and take less time. However, there are some drawbacks to this method. Some factors that can be a problem include:

  • The grade or slope of the pipe needs to be just right. Pipe lining or trenchless pipe replacements require the right slope or pitch to work correctly.
  • Pipe bursting can cause disruption and damage to other structures underground. Pipe bursting is used when the pipe is being replaced using a trenchless method; if underground utilities are too close, the bursting action could cause damage to this equipment.
  • Unforeseen complications can result in a trench method to be needed, causing further delay and cost.

While trenchless pipe replacement or repair can be beneficial in some situations, it is not the solution for all sewer pipe repairs. Traditional sewer line repairs may require a trench, but many issues can be avoided with this method. Talk to your local sewer/septic repair services about which method is best for your sewer line repair.

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