How to Tell If Your Sewer Line Is Clogged

April 10th, 2013 Posted in Sewer Lines
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There is a big difference between the occasional, relatively simple, plug of a singular sink or toilet (easily remedied with plunging, chemicals or snaking) and that of a main sewer line clog.

The plumbing from your house is connected to your city’s sewer system or to your septic tank by what is called the main sewer line. This is the line through which all of your plumbing exits your home.

This is important because when this main line becomes clogged, you may see dirty water coming up in several places at once, which is one sure indicator of a main line clog. While you may initially notice the back up in your toilets, tubs, showers and other fixtures in your home may back up as well. The draining of your washing machine may also cause back up in a sink, toilet or floor drain. In fact, if you have a basement or lower level room in your home for your laundry, hot water tank, etc., that contains a floor drain, that floor drain may very well back up with the flush of an interior toilet, as it is usually one of the last drains out of the house running toward your sewer system. If you live in a colder climate, lack of plumbing usage in the winter can lead to a frozen main sewer line.

Stop using your home plumbing as soon as you suspect a main sewer drain clog. Water damage and bacterial waste are potential hazards. Don’t risk contaminating your home by needless delay.  A professional plumber, upon thorough inspection, can find the exact location of the clog, and remove it or fix it before it becomes a more serious issue.

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Hydro Jetting for Tough Clogs

March 28th, 2013 Posted in Sewer Lines
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No homeowner likes a clogged sewer line, especially when accompanied by smelly brown water backup into sinks and toilets. Most of the time, a snake sent through the septic pipe will release the blockage, while other times, you need to hire a sewer-septic service to use high pressure hydro jetting to clear the lines.

How Does Hydro Jetting Work? 

Hydro jetting is a relatively easy process whereby the sewer septic service will use a truck equipped with a large water tank and heavy hose to free the clog with a high pressure water stream at up to 3,500 psi, which is powerful enough to break up big clogs of grease, sediment and even tree roots.

The pipe is inserted into the sewer line through the cleanout, an accessible opening that exists in every plumbing system. The water is positioned upstream, so that the debris will flow downstream once the clog is broken up. The hydro jet can clean several hundred feet of sewer pipe at a time.

When is Hydro Jetting Not a Good Solution?

Hydro jetting is effective in clearing sediment and grease, but if the clog is due to tree roots, it may be best to consider sewer line replacement. If roots have invaded the pipes and caused a blockage, it could be a sign that pipes have weakened and broken underground and hydro jetting would only be a temporary solution because tree roots would eventually just grow back.

It is usually a good idea to have a full sewer septic line inspection before embarking on any intensive pipe clearing operation. The septic company can even use special cameras to inspect the lines from within.

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Sewer Lateral Care

December 19th, 2012 Posted in Sewer Lines
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If your home is connected to the city sewer line, it’s understandable to assume that you’re absolved from much of the responsibility of caring for your waste water system. In actuality, you are responsible for the private sewer lateral that connects to the public system to carry waste out of your home. Sewer line repairs including repairing cracks and breaks, as well as maintaining a free flowing connection through that lateral, will ultimately be up to you as the property owner.

Thankfully, there are several ways that you can help to protect your sewer lateral and fend off sewer line clogs and breaks. Pouring fats, cooking grease and oils down the drain of your sink is one of the most common causes of lateral clogs, and should be avoided at all costs. Diapers, wipes and even feminine products that are marketed as flushable and biodegradable can also cause problems, especially if your sewer laterals are older and have any intrusions like tree roots or grease build-up.

When you’re planning a new landscaping project, be sure to keep the location of your sewer lateral in mind. The roots of trees and large shrubbery can grow towards any cracks in your sewer lines in search of water, forming root balls and other intrusions that greatly interfere with the flow of water or clog the line altogether.

Even when taking these precautions, it’s wise to install an overflow protection device to ensure that any spills resulting from a clog in either your own sewer lateral or the public line will remain outside, rather than backing up into your home. Sewage overflow in your home can present substantial health risks and property damage; an outside spill, while certainly unpleasant and inconvenient, is much less difficult to clean up and presents fewer health risks.

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Clean Your Drains Using Hydro Jetting

October 25th, 2012 Posted in Drain Cleaning
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There is something more powerful and effective then chemicals and snakes to clean out clogged drains. It is even safer and generally less expensive. Water! Hydro jetting technology uses water to not only clear clogs, but to actually clean away all the built up debris that has collected in pipes and drains over time. There are several ways that hydro jetting may be used:

 

  • Unclogging drains. If a home or business has a clogged drain, a professional hydro jetting service can be performed to unclog the drain or sewer. However, unlike using a snake or chemicals to remove the clog, hydro jetting will completely clean the pipes. This helps reduce the chance of them getting clogged again in a few weeks or months down the road.

 

  •  Clearing sewer pipes. For homes with sewer pipes, hydro jetting can clear out the same debris built up in any home or apartment and can also clear out tree roots that have grown into the pipes. Most roots are completely gone after a hydro Jet cleaning.

 

  • Maintenance. For large households, businesses and multiple-dwelling buildings, using hydro jetting on a maintenance schedule can prevent clogs from happening in the first place. Many professional plumbing services that use hydro jet technology offer these types of packages.

 

This new process is not only effective; it is also economical and ecologically friendly. Since there are no chemicals or devices needed, only the hydro jet equipment, it is can often be just as affordable and definitely more “green” then other pipe cleaning methods. Next time you are clogged or have a slow drain, give your local plumber a call and see the difference hydro jetting makes.

 

 

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Sewer Lines and Tree Roots

September 27th, 2012 Posted in Sewer Lines
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A sewer line generally needs very little maintenance, but under certain circumstances tree roots can infiltrate a sewer line and cause problems.  Tree roots are attracted to moisture and if a sewer line is cracked, the moisture in the soil will attract the roots.  The tree roots will find even the smallest cracks and grow inside the pipe.  Cracks can occur in sewer lines for any number of reasons, but one of the most common areas for tree root infiltration is at the pipe joints.

Some older types of sewer lines are made from sections of pipe that are fitted together. Over time, the pipes can shift position a little and a small gap will form at the joint.  Tree roots love to grow into these gaps. Once the tree roots get inside the sewer line, two things can happen. First, a mat of tree roots will fill the sewer line and begin collecting grease, oil, hair and other debris until a clog forms.  Second, as the tree roots grow the crack in the pipe will get larger and larger.  The pipe may eventually break or even collapse.

Your plumber or sewer-septic professional can address tree root issues and handle any sewer line repairs.  Using a high tech video camera, they will inspect the inside of your sewer line to verify that tree root infiltration is the source of the problem.  The tree roots can be removed using high pressure hydro-jetting or an auger with a mechanical cutting head.

Removing the tree roots is only a temporary fix.  Unless you address the problem the tree roots will grow back in a few months or years.  Talk to your plumber or sewer-septic professional about your options.  They may recommend treating the tree roots chemically, removing the offending tree, replacing some or all of your sewer line, or installing a liner inside the sewer line.

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Common Causes of Sewer Line Backups

September 21st, 2012 Posted in Sewer Lines
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The sewer line is a large diameter pipe that carries all of the waste water and sewage away from your home.  This includes not only the water and waste from flushing your toilets, but also any water that goes down the drain from showers, washing dishes, clothes washing, and so on.  If your home is connected to a municipal sewer system then your sewer line runs between your home and the municipal sewer line.  If you have a septic system, the sewer line is routed from your home to the septic tank.

No matter which type of system you have, clogs can form inside of sewer lines and when they do, you’ll have a serious problem on your hands.  A clogged sewer line means that none of your toilets and drains will work properly and can even cause waste water containing raw sewage to back up into your drains.

Knowing what causes sewer line backups can help you avoid these problems.  Tree roots are one of the main causes of sewer line clogs.  Tiny tree roots can infiltrate the sewer line at the joints and get larger over time.  Soon, there is a mat of tree roots inside the sewer line that collect grease, oil, hair, and other debris and cause a clog.

Even without tree root infiltration, as your sewer line ages it begins to collect grease, oils, and other residue along the walls of the pipe.  Hair, coffee grounds, eggshells, and other debris accumulate in the greasy build up and the inside of the pipe will get narrower. Eventually, a foreign object such as a paper towel, diaper, or other material will lodge in the greasy buildup and a clog will quickly form behind it.

Clearing a clogged sewer line is a job for the professionals.  Your plumber or sewer-septic contractor can clear a clogged sewer line using a professional powered plumbing auger or high pressure hydro-jetting.  They can also identify the cause and help prevent future clogs.

 

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Hydro-Jetting vs Plumbing Snake

June 14th, 2012 Posted in Drain Cleaning
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Two common methods of clearing clogged sewer and septic lines are high pressure hydro-jetting and using a mechanical plumbing snake.  Traditionally, plumbers and sewer-septic professionals used plumbing snakes to clear clogs, but in recent years hydro-jetting has become an increasingly popular tool for cleaning sewer lines.

A professional plumber snake is also referred to as a cable machine, an auger, or a rooter.  It is similar to those homeowner’s plumbing snakes sold at the local home improvement center, but far more powerful and sophisticated.  A professional cable machine has a heavy duty flexible steel cable with cutting heads attached to the end of it.

The cable is inserted into a clogged sewer line or drain line and an electric motor spins the cable and cutting heads.  The cutting heads will cut through most types of clogs including tree roots, paper, sludge, and other debris.  When operated by an experienced plumber, a plumbing snake or auger is a safe and effective means to clear tough clogs in drain lines and sewer lines.

Hydro-jetting is a relatively recent innovation for drain cleaning.  Instead of using a mechanical cutting head, hydro-jetting works a little like a common pressure washer and uses jets of high pressure water to cut through sewer line and drain line clogs.  A hydro-jetting machine has a high pressure hose with a special spray head attached to the end of it.  This end is inserted into the pipe and high pressurized water spray blasts away grease, sludge, and other debris.  Hydro-jetting is even powerful enough to cut through tree roots.

Both methods work well, but depending on situation including the type, nature, and location of the clog, your plumber will choose the method that will get the best result.

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What Causes Sewer Line Clogs

May 16th, 2012 Posted in Sewer Lines
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There can be all kinds of reasons for a sewer line clog, but the most common causes include deposits or build-ups of grease, oil, hair, and food waste flushed down the drain, foreign objects that get flushed down the toilet or drain, tree roots, and a collapsed sewer line.  In most cases, the clog is caused by two or more of these factors.  The good news is that no matter what the cause, your sewer-septic professional is an expert at clearing clogged sewer lines and can diagnose the problem and provide you with a cost effective solution that will get your sewer line flowing freely again.

Even if you don’t flush pure grease and oil down the drain, food waste and even human waste contains oils that adhere to the walls of your sewer line. Over time, the greasy build up accumulates other material such as hair, coffee grounds, food particles, egg shells, and other material and builds up inside the pipe.  Eventually, it blocks the pipe and causes a clog.

Foreign objects such a child’s toy or a wash cloth can also get stuck in the greasy deposits and begin to accumulate other material such as toilet paper and hair.  A clog will quickly form behind a foreign object lodged in your sewer pipe.

Tree roots are attracted to the moisture inside the sewer pipe and will infiltrate any cracks or joints in a sewer line, no matter how small.  The roots will then grow, expanding the crack and allowing more roots to enter.  Eventually, the roots will form a mat of roots inside the pipe that quickly accumulates oil, grease, hair, paper, and all sorts of other material and forms a tough clog.

Finally, your sewer line can become clogged if it fully or partially collapses.  This is a common problem with older cast iron or Orangeburg sewer lines.  These types of clogs cannot be cleared.  Instead, you will need a sewer line replacement or repair.

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Clearing Sewer and Drain Lines With Hydro Jetting

April 12th, 2012 Posted in Drain Lines
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High pressure hydro jetting is a modern technique for clearing many types of tough clogs from sewer lines and drain lines.  Hydro jetting shoots water pressurized to about 3,000 psi in a circular pattern through a special spray nozzle.  The nozzle and hose is inserted into the clogged line through a clean out and sprays the inside of the pipe with the highly pressurized water.

Hydro jetting breaks up and flushes away many types of clogs including tree roots, paper products, grease, sludge, and other debris.  The high pressure jets of water break up the clog and the debris flows down the drain line. Hydro jetting is done from “downstream” of the clog so that all of the material can be safely flushed out of the sewer line.

Hydro jetting can be more effective than clearing out a clog with a plumbing snake.  A plumbing snake punches through a clog, but it leaves a lot of material behind.  This leftover material is a great place for a new clog to start forming.  Hydro jetting removes all of the foreign material without damaging the inside of the pipe.  Hydro jetting leaves the inside of the pipe in nearly new condition.

Hydro jetting will remove all of the tree roots inside a pipe, but they will immediately start growing back again and a clog will form again in a few months or year.  Your sewer-septic professional will be able to help you choose from several options including chemical treatment to prevent or impede root growth or replacing that section of sewer line.

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Root Control for Sewer Lines

January 9th, 2012 Posted in Sewer Lines
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One of the most common causes of clogged sewer lines is root infiltration.  A sewer line clogged by roots is a serious problem that needs immediate attention.  A clogged sewer line can result in raw sewage backing up into your shower and tub drains, sink drains and toilets.  Yuk!

Roots from almost any type of plants, shrubs or trees can cause sewer line back-ups, but tree roots are the most common offender.  Trees usually have the deepest and most extensive root system and they can penetrate into tiny cracks in sewer lines.  Once the tree roots have found their way into the sewer line, they will continue to grow and can cause the crack to expand, allowing entry of more roots.

Eventually, a mass of roots will form inside the sewer line which will collect grease, oil, hair, and other debris.  Ultimately, a severe clog will form and stop up the pipe.  No amount of plunging or liquid drain cleaners will clear one of these clogs.  Instead, its time to get an experienced plumber or sewer septic professional involved.

Modern video camera inspections will confirm that tree roots are the cause of the blockage which can be cleared with professional heavy duty cutting heads or by using high pressure hydro-jetting.  However, both of these techniques are only half of the job.  Unless you eliminate the root problem, more roots will grow and the clog will soon return.

One alternative is to replace the damaged section of sewer pipe which may be necessary if the pipe has been seriously damaged by the root infestation.  If the pipe is still structurally sound, your sewer septic professional will be able to apply a chemical treatment that will inhibit root growth for years without killing the tree.

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