Avoiding Sewer Line Problems

April 3rd, 2017 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Sometimes, a clogged or broken sewer line cannot be avoided, but other times there are preventive measures that can be done. No one wants the unexpected mess and expense of a sewer backup, so here are some tips to prevent sewer pipe issues and avoid costly repairs:

  • Be careful what you put down your drains. Many sewer line problems are clogs that form from fat, grease, hair and other items that create sludge in pipes. Use drain strainers to catch hair/soap in showers; avoid putting grease or fat down the drains. Managing what goes down the drain can protect your indoor and outdoor plumbing.
  • Keep vehicles off your lawn. A heavy vehicle driving over where sewer lines are located can damage the pipes and cause a broken sewer line. Restrict vehicles from areas in your lawn where sewer pipes are hiding beneath the surface. It only takes one instance to put a crack in a pipe or detach joints in your underground sewer line.
  • Schedule regular inspections and cleanings. Your sewer lines can be maintained to avoid many unexpected issues. Having your sewer lines inspected with a digital camera can catch small issues before they become emergency repairs. Your sewer service company can use digital video technology to check for roots, sludge and other repair issues. Hydro-jetting can be used to clear sludge or tree roots that could put your sewer lines at risk for clogs.

Don’t wait for sewer line problems to occur out of the blue. Maintain your sewer pipes and avoid clogs, backups and other messy problems. Call your local sewer service company to schedule an inspection and hydro-jetting to keep your pipes clear and in good repair.

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

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Root Sewer Pipe Invasion -What Is Going on Under Your Lawn?

March 13th, 2016 Posted in Drain Cleaning
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When you look out at your yard, it may look peaceful, even pleasant. The green grass, your beautiful trees – everything looks perfectly healthy and in place. However, there may be a war going on beneath your lawn between your sewer pipes and tree roots. Those relentless roots want what’s inside your sewer pipes and they won’t stop until they find a crevice or crack to squirm their way inside, making a mess out of your sewer lines.

Large trees and sewer lines just don’t mix, especially if you have older sewer pipes. Jointed pipes are bound to corrode and crack over time, allowing just enough space for tree roots to take hold. Tree roots can split apart giant boulders, so a few inches of piping are nothing for them to crack open if given time.

So what is the solution? You can have tree roots cleaned out of your sewer pipes by a professional using hydrojetting, but that is only a temporary fix. To rid yourself of the problem, you need to consider more permanent options such as:

  • Replace old pipes.  Replacing older fitted pipes with seamless piping such as polyethelyne pipes can prevent tree root invasion. If they are beginning to crack and corrode, this may need to be done eventually.
  • Relining pipes. A less expensive option to replacing pipes is relining the interiors with a seamless barrier. Many sewer companies offer this service.
  • Tree removal. Removing the trees is an option, but not one that most homeowners want to consider. Fixing the pipe problem is often a more viable solution.

Not sure if you have a root invasion problem? Call your local sewer company for a professional camera inspection of your sewer pipes. It is the best way to see what is going on under your lawn and determine whether your sewer pipes are holding up against root invasion.

Call your local sewer professional to discuss ways to prevent future damage to your sewer lines from your beautiful trees.

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

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Handling a Sewer Backup Emergency

March 13th, 2016 Posted in Drain Cleaning
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If you read a post on social media that one of your friends or family is dealing with a sewer backup, you immediately cringe and can empathize with their frustration. Even if you have been lucky enough not to go through it in your own home, you can imagine the discomfort of the situation. A sewer backup can cause extensive damage to your home, as well as cause a health hazard. Knowing how to handle these situations can help you get through them quicker and without injury to your family. Here are some tips to handle a sewer backup effectively.

  • Call a professional right away.  A sewer backup is a true emergency – don’t wait to call a professional, even if it is in the middle of the night. Many plumbers and sewer services are on call 24/7.
  • Prevent electrical shock. Be aware of the potential of electric shock if water is on the floors. If possible, turn off the electrical breaker to the affected rooms and don’t use electrical equipment when in standing water.
  • Prevent exposure to raw sewage water. Sewer water is full of potentially harmful bacteria, making it dangerous to your family. Until it can be cleaned thoroughly, keep everyone including pets away from the area, staying elsewhere if possible.
  • Expect clean up expenses. A severe sewer backup may require professional removal. It is critical that all the moisture is removed to prevent mold growth and that all surfaces are decontaminated for your family’s safety.

Though no one wants to experience a sewer backup, they do happen. However, many can be prevented with regular sewer or septic system inspections. Talk to your local plumber or sewer professional about what you can do to prevent sewer backups in your home.

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

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Tree Roots and Sewer Lines Are a Bad Combination

October 27th, 2015 Posted in Sewer Lines
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One of the main causes of sewer line clogs and breaks are tree root invasions. Those water filled pipes are like candy to a baby for trees. Their long, strong roots seek moisture and most traditional sewer pipes are no match for the strength of a tree root. Before long, those roots create tiny cracks in the pipes or find ways to grow in at joints, quickly soaking up that moisture and growing into the pipes. So what can you do to prevent sewer line tree root invasions? Here are a few tips for preventing tree root issues in your sewer lines:

  • Don’t plant trees near sewer lines. The most obvious solution is to keep trees away from your sewer lines by not planting new ones near that area. However, you may have trees that are already on your property that are large enough to have roots dozens of feet long.
  • Schedule regular hydrojetting for your sewer lines. Hydrojetting is one of the best ways to clean out your sewer lines of tree roots and other debris to prevent clogs. It won’t stop future tree root invasions but may keep them from getting large enough in the pipes to break or clog the lines.
  • Consider pipe lining or new trenchless sewer pipes. Newer sewer line options use seamless polyurethane pipes or linings that can prevent tree roots from gaining interior access. If tree roots are a problem on your property, this may be your best long term solution beyond removing your trees.

Don’t let your trees destroy your sewer lines. Even if you haven’t had any issues, if you have large trees near your sewer pipes, it may be just a matter of time. Schedule a digital video inspection of your sewer lines with your local sewer service company to find out if tree roots are infiltrating your sewer pipes.

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

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Is Mother Nature Damaging Your Sewer Pipes?

April 30th, 2015 Posted in Sewer Lines
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One of the most common causes of sewer pipe damage is Mother Nature or environmental damage. Whether it is a tree root invading your piping or an earthquake shaking the ground, when a sewer line is compromised, it is often due to something in the environment. Knowing what hazards can potentially harm you pipes can help you identify sewer line problems quickly and get them repaired before there is more damaged to your home and property.

4 Environmental Factors on Sewer Pipe Failure

Since sewer lines are underground, anything that affects the ground on your property can also potentially harm your sewer pipes. If you know what elements can harm you pipes, you can be aware of any signs of damage. Here are the four main causes of environmental damage to sewer pipes:

  • Freezing temperatures. Extreme cold weather can freeze the liquid in your underground pipes and cause dramatic expansion inside the pipes. This can cause cracks, leaks and even a burst sewer line.
  • Earth movement. Earthquakes and other forms of shifts in the earth can offset pipes or cause damage.
  • Tree root invasion. One of the most common causes of damage to underground pipes is tree root invasion. Roots are attracted to the moisture in pipes and can infiltrate through joints.
  • Flooding. Flooding can eroded the surrounding soil and cause pipes to move and break.

If any of these factors occurs on your property, keep watch for any signs of sewer pipe damage. Be aware of any wet areas above pipe lines, slow drains in the home or foul odors. At the first sign of damage, call your local sewer repair company to have your pipes inspected for problems to reduce further damage to your property.

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

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