What Type Of Sewer Pipes Do You Have Under Your Yard?

September 27th, 2014 Posted in Sewer Lines
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If you’re on city sewer, you may have no idea what type of sewer pipes you have, or even a general estimate of their age. Are they clay, plastic or cast iron, or have they been replaced with newer material? Although it’s not strictly necessary to know the material of which your pipes are made, this information can give you an idea of how long they’ll last. Each type of pipe has its merits,but each also comes with its own set of drawbacks and possible repair issues. 

Types Of Sewer Pipes And Problems

The most common sewer pipes in homes built at least ten years ago are made from clay, cast-iron or plastic. Of course, regardless of what type of pipe was used when the home was built, there may be new piping which has been installed in recent years, including trenchless piping made from high- density polyethylene (HDPE). Some of the common issues with the main three types of sewer pipes include: 

  • Clay. Clay piping was very popular for many years before plastic piping became prevalent in the late 1960’s. Although durable, clay is also porous, attracting tree roots to their surface. These pipes can be cracked from invasive roots, splitting them open at the joints.
     
  • Cast-iron. Cast-iron has been used for sewer pipes since the 1800’s, due to its strength and longevity. It can last for a hundred years or more, which means many older homes still have cast-iron. The main issue is that very few sewer repair companies have the tools or skills to repair this type of piping, which means it usually needs to be replaced.
     
  • Plastic. PVC and ABS are very common pipes used in underground sewer lines and interior plumbing. It is resistant to root invasion, but is not as strong under pressure or weight. 

Regardless of the type of pipe you have under your yard, your local sewer service company will have options when it comes to repair or replacement.

Posted on behalf of Find Local Sewer Septic

 

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Sewer Line Camera Inspections

August 16th, 2014 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Technology has improved almost every aspect of home building and home repairs. Years ago, if a home had a sewer problem inspectors had to use guess work in order to find the spot of trouble. They had to dig at different points on a sewer line until the exact point of trouble was found. Today, finding those trouble spots has become much easier with sewer cameras and locating equipment.

A sewer line camera inspection is a process where a plumbing company will run a video line down the branch lines (the pipes that lead from the bathtubs, toilets, and faucets to the house’s sewer line) in order to see close up details of the lines and to specifically locate the source of the problem. Each camera is equipped with a transmitter. When the video technician or plumber finds a blockage point, the camera will be stopped. The plumber or technician will go outside to ground level and wave a locating device until the device picks up the transmission signal. This allows him/her to spray a paint spot on the exact point of blockage so that the sewer trench will be dug in the correct spot.

Sewer line camera inspections can run anywhere from $99 to $300 depending on where a house is located and how much line must be run to find the point of blockage. While this price may seem high for some, being able to pinpoint the exact spot of trouble within a sewer line is actually much more cost effective than having the line dug into multiple times. By investing money into finding and repairing sewer problems at the source, homeowners can efficiently repair any issues. Sewer line camera inspections are great ways to save time and money in the long run.

Posted on behaf of Kiddco Plumbing, Inc.

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Are Your Septic Pipes Talking To You?

July 16th, 2014 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Without being an expert, we all can recognize the smell of a septic or sewer problem. Recognizing the sounds of a septic problem can be a little more tricky. One of the most common trouble noises in a septic system is a distinct gurgling sound that comes from the septic pipes. This is a definite sign of trouble which needs to be investigated further, preferably by a septic service professional. However, there are a few things that you can look for to determine how severe of a septic problem you may be facing.

What To Do If Your Septic Pipes Are Gurgling

If you notice a gurgling noise coming from your septic pipes, it usually means there is a blockage somewhere in your system. The big question is where the blockage is located and whether it is causing your septic system to back up as a result of its presence. Gurgling can be caused from a blockage inside the home, between the home and septic tank or in the pipes leading from the tank to the drain field. To find out whether the blockage is causing a back up, check two areas around your home:

  • Drain field. Go out to your drain or leach field and look for standing water, a common sign of a septic backup. You may also catch the smell of sewage odor in that area if there is a backup problem.
  • Plumbing fixtures. Check the plumbing fixtures and drains in your home to see how quickly they are draining, especially on the lowest level of the house. A backed up septic will cause slow draining or stop draining altogether.

Regardless of where or how bad the blockage is, the next step should be sewer line service by your local septic service professional. Often the blockage can be removed before any more damage is done to the system.

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing, Inc.

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Sewer Line Replacement Methods

March 12th, 2014 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Once upon a time, the only way of replacing or repairing a failing sewer line was to dig through lawns and gardens in order to access the pipe in question. The excavation of sewer lines can be a time consuming process, not to mention an expensive and destructive one. Instead of destroying your landscaping and garden design, you may want to consider some newer and less invasive methods of sewer line replacement, should the need arise.

Bursting Old Sewer Lines

The phrase “bursting pipes” strikes fear in the heart of most homeowners, but there’s one situation in which a burst pipe is actually a blessing in disguise. By digging relatively small holes for equipment and service connections, a sewer and septic professional is able to thread new lines through your old piping. Then, special heads will shatter the original, aging piping into shards.

Is My Property Well Suited to Pipe Bursting?

While this innovative method allows for the replacement of weakening or damaged lines without a large-scale excavation project, it isn’t always an ideal solution. The most common issue faced by some homeowners is related to the material of their original piping. If the sewer line is not suitable for breaking or its fragments can’t be easily absorbed by the surrounding soil, you may not be a suitable candidate.

To find out more about this effective, less destructive method of pipe replacement, contact a sewer and septic professional in your area to discuss the procedure at length. You may be able to repair your failing sewer and storm lines without sacrificing your lush, beautiful lawn in the process.

Posted on behalf of Keith Lee, Metro Septic and Plumbing

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Annual Sewer Line Inspections

March 12th, 2014 Posted in Sewer Lines
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The age of technology is upon us, which brings a host of exciting new solutions to old problems. One of these developments is the use of cameras to visually inspect the interior of sewer lines. Due to the small size of these high-tech cameras, your sewer specialist or plumbing contractor is able to spot and diagnose potential problems within even the most diminutive pipes and sewer lines.

While camera inspections can be a very effective diagnostic tool when they’re used to find an existing problem, they’re also useful in terms of sewer line inspections.

How Often Should Sewer Lines Be Inspected?

Ideally, a home’s sewer lines should be inspected each year in order to ensure continuing functionality of the sewer system and to spot potential problems before they become expensive and severe. Annual video inspection of your sewer lines allows your sewer professional to detect cracks, line corrosion, the ingrowth of tree roots, clogs and leaks before they become a damaging, costly problem.

Investing in the Future

The yearly inspection of your sewer lines and pipes with video technology allows you to invest in your home’s future, preventing problems before they arise and present a serious risk. Through extensive inspections each year, your sewer professional or plumbing contractor may even be able to anticipate areas of potential pipe weakness or clogs.

Contact a sewer and septic professional in your area to schedule your first sewer line inspection, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your sewer lines are functionally sound.

Posted on behalf of Septic Service Pro

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Common Sewer Line Problems

December 18th, 2013 Posted in Sewer Lines
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In a perfect world, your sewer system would never encounter problems or force you to consider the flow of waste away from your home. The reality of home ownership is that sewer lines do occasionally malfunction, and require the same level of maintenance as every other part of your property. There are also common causes of sewer back-up, some of which are relatively easy for a professional to repair.

Tree Root Interference

The same beautiful, mature trees responsible for boosting your property value and providing money-saving shade can also wreak a bit of havoc with your sewer lines if their roots become an interference.

Collapsed or Damaged Lines

Older homes have a charm and character all their own, but they may also come equipped with old, outdated sewer pipes. Aging pipes may begin to crack or even collapse altogether, causing serious problems on your property. Thankfully, new technological advances mean you may not have to face digging and the destruction of your landscaping plan, as no-dig and trenchless repair systems become more common.

Drain Blockage

The single most common cause of sewer line problems and water back-up into the home is a simple drain blockage. Most clogs stem from simple user error, or improper use of drains. Make sure you never flush anything other than toilet paper and human waste down the toilet, and are careful about what you pour into your drains.

A licensed and reputable sewer and septic professional can diagnose and correct these common problems, most of which are simply to complex for the average homeowner to tackle as a DIY project. Contact a sewer and septic specialist in your area to discuss any sewer problems, and to make arrangements for necessary repairs before relatively minor problems become worse over time.

Posted on behalf of Chuck Seagraves, Seagraves Plumbing

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Camera Inspections of Sewer Lines

June 4th, 2013 Posted in Sewer Lines
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One of the greatest tools available to professional sewer and septic system contractors are the high-technology cameras.  They allow the technician to inspect sewer pipes, as well as septic systems, for problems from the inside of the pipe.  These high-resolution cameras are waterproof, have lights and are very tough.  On one end is the camera head, while the other end is a monitor and control unit.  The two ends are connected by a heavy-duty and flexible wire, which sends the images back to the control unit.

When first inspecting a commercial or residential property for a blocked sewer line, the professional sewer contractors will use the camera to see what is going on inside of the pipe.  The technician is able to determine if a crushed pipe or a restriction in the pipe, due to a build up of sludge, is causing the blockage.  In some cases blockages can also be caused by a low spot in the pipe, which interrupts the flow of sewage in the pipe.  Sewer line camera inspections are able to also take the guesswork out of where the blockage or other problem is occurring.  The technician is able to locate exactly where the problem is in the pipe.  This is very beneficial when the pipe is crushed and the only way to repair the pipe is to dig it up.

The camera is also used extensively by qualified septic system contractors during both routine inspections, as well as when investigating specific septic system issues.  It allows a detailed look at the condition of the entire septic system from the tank to the drain field.  This results in potential issues to be identified early, before they become critical and really expensive!

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Common Sewer Line Repairs

June 4th, 2013 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Professional sewer contractors responding to a service call involving a sewer pipe blockage will perform a camera inspection of a sewer line and identify what is causing the blockage.   If the pipe is damaged or installed incorrectly, the only repair available is to dig up and replace the pipe.  Usually this damage is either a crushed pipe, a cracked pipe or a pipe with a dip or “belly” in it.  A professional sewer contractor will be able to quickly identify the problem and make the repair quickly with minimal impact on existing landscaping.   Cameras have made identifying and repairing sewer line problems much easier!

The repair of a crushed or cracked sewer pipe is relatively straightforward.  The area is first excavated, then the damaged pipe is cut out and a new section of pipe is put in place.  If there is any dirt, stone or tree roots in the pipe, they are removed.  The excavation is then backfilled and compacted, with the landscaping then being restored.  The only time this can get somewhat complicated is when the sewer is “deep” in the ground, resulting in a much larger excavation.  There are specific government regulations related to “deep” excavations, because of safety concerns related to the potential collapse of the trench, while the technician is working on the pipe.

The repair of a pipe with a low spot or “belly” is pretty straightforward as well.  The area is excavated and then the pipe is lifted and stone is placed under it to support it at the proper elevation and to prevent it from sagging again.  It is critical that every sewer pipe has the proper fall on it to keep the sewage flowing in the pipe.  Once corrected, the excavation is backfilled, compacted and the area restored.  The same issues related to “deep” excavations apply here as well.

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Clearing Clogs With High Pressure Hydro-Jetting

June 4th, 2013 Posted in Drain Cleaning
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Blocked or otherwise restricted sewer lines are a real pain to deal with, especially when they keep occurring!  Sometimes a traditional plumbing ‘snake” will remove the blockage but if it keeps happening, then Hydro-Jetting may be the best option.

High pressure Hydro-Jetting is a very effective way to remove almost any blockage from any sanitary pipe.  It is also is a good method of cleaning out any build up of sludge on pipes which is reducing the size of the pipe.   In many cases the real cause of the blockage is the restricted pipe.  A qualified plumbing contractor, who specializes in sewer work, will be able to determine if this is a viable solution to your blocked residential or commercial sewer line.

The highly trained technician will arrive on the site with a large truck carrying all of the necessary equipment to complete the project, as well as the water source.  Once the equipment is set up, the technician will insert a special nozzle on the end of a water hose into the pipe thru a ‘clean out”.   Utilizing a combination of copious amounts of water and very high pressure, the blockage will be broken up, which allows water to flow though the pipe freely.

At the same time, the walls of the pipe will be cleaned of the build up of sludge, which will restore the pipe to its original inside dimension, which effectively resolves the cause of most blockages.   The large quantity of water also helps flush the sludge and remnants of the blockage downstream.

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The Value of Camera Inspections of Sewer Lines

April 10th, 2013 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Your main sewer line could be stopped up for many reasons. Forgotten objects accidentally lost down the sink drain become obstructions, as well as years of grimy build-up. Pipes can become broken or disjointed simply from the spread of tree roots growing around them. Septic tanks also become clogged or over-filled. Even after a drain or pipe has been successfully snaked, there may be other “hidden” problems existing that may cause recurring drainage issues. Today, cameras can be used by your sewer line professional to inspect your system and determine more accurately the cause of main line stoppages.

Pipeline camera inspections can save time and money in narrowing down the problem to a specific area. Modern video equipment allows the interior of the pipe to be inspected in a way that does not require additional home repair from destructive plumbing techniques. These cameras can fit into very small lines, clearly detailing troublesome areas. Sewer inspection cameras can be used, not only to identify blockages, but to actually aid in pushing out those that appear stubborn.  Cameras have even been found useful in guiding a plumbing snake to the exact section of pipe that is plugged.

Should excavation appear necessary work on your sewer line, these cameras can help keep the destruction to your landscaping at a minimum by accurately pinpointing the location needing repair. Long gone are the days when excavators were called upon to haphazardly dig trenches in your yard, hoping to find the source of your sewer problems.

Calling your local plumber or sewer professional for a video inspection of your sewer lines and household connection pipes is well worth the investment.

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