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

Maintaining Your Sewer Pipes

When was the last time you took a look at what is inside your sewer pipes? There is a good chance that the answer to that question is never. Let’s face it – unless there is a problem, most people don’t want to think about those nasty pipes at all. But the reality is that if you own your home for ten or more years, those pipes will need some sort of repair or replacement, especially if you don’t perform any maintenance. Why wait for a sewer emergency? Plan your sewer pipe maintenance now to see what is in those pipes.

So what can you do to maintain your sewer pipes? One of the most common issues that can cause a sewer back-up is a clogged sewer pipe. Over the years, pipes can collect debris and waste, especially if grease and oils are disposed of down the drains. Sewer pipes can become clogged, backing up sewage into your home. These pipes can also be infiltrated by tree roots, damaging the pipes and creating blocked lines. Preventing a back-up is ideal, which is where regular maintenance comes in.

Your local sewer or septic company can use digital video cameras to inspect your sewer pipes. These cameras can identify any clogs that are beginning to form, pin point tree roots and detect pipe damage. If there are clogs forming or roots are in your pipes, these can usually be cleared out using professional hydrojetting. This process uses high water pressure to clean your sewer pipes, removing debris and even stubborn roots.

Having an inspection every year is the ideal way to prevent sewer emergencies and maintain your sewer pipes. Ca;; your local sewer service company to schedule your sewer pipe maintenance.

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

Sewer Line Clogs Versus Broken Pipes

The two most common sewer emergencies are sewer line clogs or broken sewer pipes. Both are extremely frustrating for any homeowner; however, the signs and symptoms are usually different. Knowing what to look for can help you determine what may be wrong, even though both will most likely require a call to a sewer professional to get the problem fixed.

Clogged Or Backed Up Sewer Lines

A sewer line clog can be caused by several factors. Just like any plumbing pipes, sewer pipes can become clogged by grease, oil, hair, food and paper products that are put down the drain. Another common culprit is tree roots; the moisture in sewer pipes attract roots to penetrate the pipes and block the flow of waste.

A clogged sewer line usually results in several drains beginning to backup with sewage. These usually start at the lower level drains. At the first sign of your drains beginning to backup, call a sewer professional to inspect your sewer lines for a clog.

Broken Sewer Pipes

Sewer pipes, especially older clay or cast iron, can break or crack from weight, ground shifts, tree root invasion or corrosion. Once the pipe is compromised, sewer can begin to leak out of the pipes and into your yard. While it can sometimes be accompanied by a sewer backup, usually the first signs are areas of wet earth over the broken pipes or a foul sewer odor in the home’s yard.

The best way to find the clog or break is to have a video camera inspection done by your sewer service company. They can offer you options for how best to repair or replace the pipes, to get your sewer pipes back in perfect working order.

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

Slow Drains Can Mean Sewer Line Problems

We have all experienced a sink or bathtub that drains slowly. Most of the time, slow draining is a plumbing problem, usually a clog in the pipes under the offending water fixture. However, in some cases, slow drains can be an indication of a larger, more serious sewer line issue. If you have a clogged sewer line, it may be backing up sewer water into your home, causing the slow drain.

When A Slow Drain Indicates Sewer Line Problems

If a sewer line is clogged or not draining wastewater efficiently, one of the signs are slow-moving drains. However, it is unlikely that a sink on the second floor of your house will be where the problem starts. Since sewer lines use gravity, the lowest point in your home will be the first place where you can expect to experience slow draining due to a sewer line problem. This could be a bathroom fixture on the first level of your home, such as a toilet, bathtub or sink, most likely more than one.

If your slow drain is due to a problem in your sewer lines, it could be something as simple as a clog. It could also mean your sewer lines have become flat, no longer having the decline necessary for wastewater to flow efficiently. Another possible scenario is a cracked or broken pipe. Whatever the issue, you will need to get the problem resolved before your sewer lines stop working altogether.

Your local sewer professional can perform an inspection to find out exactly what and where the problem is in your  sewer lines. Most companies now use camera inspections to view what is happening below the surface inside your sewer pipes, making it fast and easy to find and fix the problem.

Posted on behalf of Mike Smith, A-Flo Free Septic

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Take A Peek Into Your Sewer Pipes

New technology makes it easier than ever to see what’s going on in your underground sewer pipes. Digital camera inspections are the best way to have your sewer pipes inspected, giving you a close up view of exactly what is happening in your sewer lines. This newer technology is used by many professional sewer and plumbing companies to offer you a true view of what is going on beneath the surface of your property.

Benefits Of A Sewer Camera Inspection

There are several reasons to schedule a camera inspection of your sewer pipes, even when everything seems to be functioning correctly in your plumbing and sewer system. Camera inspections can be part of your regular maintenance, to identify issues before they become significant sewer problems. Consider these uses of video obtained through a camera inspection:

  • Tree roots. A video inspection can show any tree roots which have begun to grow into your sewer pipes before they cause a clog.
  • Deterioration. Older sewer pipes can become cracked or corroded over time. Annual inspections can give you a look underground to see how your pipes are holding up.
  • Diagnose problems. The most common use for camera inspections in your sewer lines is to find clogs or leaks in your sewer system. It can also show sludge build up which may be causing slow drainage, requiring cleaning of your sewer pipes.

Most sewer and plumbing companies who use camera inspections will share these with you, so you can see exactly what is happening in your pipes. Consider scheduling a video inspection once a year, especially for older sewer pipe systems that may need to be replaced in the next few years. It can reduce the possibility of emergency sewer repairs and backups down the road.

Posted on behalf of Keith Lee, Metro Septic and Plumbing

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Get Your Sewer Pipes On Video

It is hard to know what the problem is when a sewer pipe begins backing up or leaking. Exterior pipes are usually a few feet under ground, making it difficult to access them. With new technology comes new solutions, even in the plumbing industry. Video sewer line camera inspections are the new way to see what ‘s going on inside your sewer pipes without needing to dig up or physically access your pipes.

How Video Inspections Work

Many plumbing and sewer companies now use digital technology to view the inside of sewer and other plumbing pipes. These tiny digital cameras are snaked through the pipes, and give a detailed look at the inside of them. The benefits of using this technology include:

  • Saving time. Instead of plumbers first trying to snake out clogs or suggesting a replacement of pipes, video inspections quickly show exactly what is going on underground and where.
  • Saving money. Many sewer problems can be fixed with a simple cleaning, while others require repair or replacement. By using video inspections, your plumber can show you exactly what the problem is and give you reasonable options for getting it fixed.
  • Preventive maintenance. Having a video inspection of your sewer pipes annually can identify small issues before they become big problems. A small root invasion can usually be cleared out if found early, versus replacing pipes that have been cracked and broken from tree roots.

The best part of video inspections is they take the guess work out of sewer pipe problems and give you and your plumber a true picture of what is going on inside your system. In the long run, using these videos can save you time and money when it comes to maintaining and repairing your sewer pipes.

Posted on behalf of Mike Smith, A-Flo Free Septic

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Camera Inspections of Sewer Lines

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!

Why Camera Inspections Should Be Done Annually

In addition to being a smart financial investment, annual camera sewer line inspections should be viewed as necessary for ensuring the future health of your home’s drainage system. Modern video equipment now enables the plumber or sewer professional to view the interior of a pipe to determine its condition, even those of small diameter sewer lines and household connection pipes. This allows for detailed trouble shooting of even the smallest drain lines.

Major future problems can be curtailed by video inspection that verifies there are no breaks or defect in the pipe. Potential problems from clogs or leaks due to root infiltrations or corrosion in sewer lines may also be avoided through early detection. Errant roots from trees and vegetation, working into joint segments, can be identified and eradicated by cutter mechanism or inhibited by rooticide, before wrecking havoc with your drainage system.

A video picture, controlled remotely and with illuminating LEDs, is transmitted to a control module where it is permanently recorded. The camera operator analyzes much of the pipeline as it is viewed during the inspection. Important data can be compiled for possible future use as small lasers, able to measure even the pipe diameter, are used to aid in anticipating potential pipe weaknesses. The entire inspection can be saved for future review. Additionally, this stored documentation may prove useful for some insurance reimbursements.

As changes from previous inspections occur, various improvements can be made to your drainage system. Extensive defects and severe damage requiring costly excavation and repair may be avoided. Be proactive; invest in your home drainage system by calling your local sewer professional today, to begin annual camera sewer line inspections.

Why a Sewer Line Inspection is a Must for the Homebuyer

When a buyer purchases a new home, the bank or mortgage company typically requires an inspection that covers the condition of such things as the home’s structure and its heating, cooling and internal plumbing systems. What it does not always cover, however, is what you can’t see: the sewer lines that run underground from the house to the municipal sewage lines out on the street.

For a house that is older than 20 years old, a sewer line inspection at the point of sale is an absolute must. This inspection, conducted by a sewer septic professional contractor, will tell you what the lines are made of, what condition they’re in and if there are any breaks or blockages that could cause very costly problems down the road. If there are indeed issues with the lines, you may even be able to resolve them during the property transaction.

What is the best way to assess the condition of sewer lines? Obviously, short of digging up the yard, you have to get the best possible picture of the ground below, something that is best done through a camera inspection conducted by a sewer septic contractor. In this process, a fiber optic video camera is attached to the end of a very long probe that is sent directly from the house through the sewer lines and out to the street. The mini camera then transmits back to a monitor images that are so accurate, you can actually see the debris inside the lines, along with any cracks, breaks or blockages.

So if you’re looking for a new home, be sure to make your own checklist of what to inspect and definitely include a sewer line video analysis. For a relatively nominal fee now, it literally could save you thousands of dollars in the long run!