Sewer clogs are a very serious plumbing problem. In most cases, the water comes back into the household plumbing creating a bigger problem. In some cases, one may not be aware of a sewer problem. Regular scheduled sewer maintenance, performed by a professional plumber, will help eliminate sewer clogs. Typically, many pipes and drains in different parts of the house can be connected in multiple places. Problems in one area can affect the other. Therefore, in cases of sewer clogs, you would need the expertise of professional plumbers to assess and repairs these clogs.
A professional and reliable plumbing company or plumber should have experience clearing shower drains, stairwell drains, laundry drains, flood drain clogs, to name a few. They should also have the proper large tools, equipment or machinery for clearing said sewers, no matter how long the sewers are. They should also have the ability to clean sewers or downspouts penetrated by roots or other such blockades.
A full sewer inspection must be able to determine the cause of the clogs, preferably a video inspection, in the case of main sewer cleaning, to accurately locate the problem. Provide you with detailed precautions to take, in order to avoid a future clogged sewer. A 90 day-1 year rodding guarantee on the sewers. They must also ensure to wear/use protective equipment while working, so as to not dirty the indoors. Most importantly, use proper, state of-the-art equipment so as to be cost effective. Based on the type of drain and severity of the clog/backup, several different heavy-duty commercial grade cables/snake machines, video camera inspections and high pressure jetting, etc. can be employed. A professional or expert will not only use one of these techniques effectively, but should also be able to ensure that the problem is handled for good.
Here at Drain King, we are not only a professional company that will provide you with the above benefits but you can rely on. We are clean, honest, and dependable. We have fast response times and can fix your problem in the shortest time possible. Consider calling our experts for your next sewer cleaning.
Sewers and drains are important parts of a building structure. While drains are easier to maintain and clean, sewers require more time and money when they clog. Sewers are installed deep underground, so most likely, you will not think of them unless they have become a problem.
What are the Signs of a Clogged Sewer?
Toilets –Typically, toilets are designed to flow into the most direct path to the sewer, so if there is a problem in your sewer pipes, you will probably encounter difficulties in flushing them. Water backing up when flushing is a sure sign of a sewer problem. The flushed water cannot go down the drain when the sewer pipes are clogged.
Kitchen Sink/Tub Drain–If you run water in the sink or bathtub and can see bubbles or the water is draining slowly, chances are your drains or sewers are clogged.
Nasty Smell–Collected water from overflowing, hidden drains emits a foul odor. Sometimes, you will first notice the odor before you even realize you have a sewer problem.
Common Causes of Clogged Sewers and Drains
Collapsed/Broken Sewer Lines
Collapsed or broken sewer lines can cause blockage. Sewer lines break due to old age, presence of large roots, structural settings, and soil movement. Our plumbing professionals can discover the cause by inserting a rodding machine or inspection camera along the sewer lines.
Grease/Oil Deposits
Grease and oil deposits are the most common cause of blocked sewer lines. Some people believe that it is okay to pour greasy substance down the sink or toilet as long as you follow it up with hot water. While grease flows into the sewer lines as liquid, it will solidify as it cools down, causing blockage over time.
Hair
Blocked drains in the bathroom or tub are usually caused by fallen hairs. Hairs sit in the pipes and accumulate over time, blocking the flow of water. As preventive maintenance, you can use a filter that will trap fallen hair particles before they enter the drain system.
Bath Salts
Bath salts have become popular and are widely used, but these products do not dissolve. When they go down the drain, they will accumulate and cause problems.
Improper Wastes
Sanitary sewer lines are specifically fabricated to accept human wastes. Other items such as paper towels, feminine sanitary pads, condoms, diapers, baby wipes, dental floss, and solid food particles can cause blockage when flushed down the toilet or sink. Foods such as rice and pasta expand as they absorb water from the pipes and may cause blockage.
As a property owner, you will experience clogs or sewer blockage at some point in time. When this happens, it is recommended that you call on experts like Drain King who have the skills and experience to solve the worst drainage and sewer problems. You might be tempted to fix the problem yourself, but improper handling of store-bought cleaning products may cause more harm than good. Some can even damage your esophagus when inhaled.
Let’s talk about inflammable waste traps. They are a part of your sewer septic system, designed to intercept and trap inflammable materials so they don’t flow into sewer lines, creating a dangerous, explosive mixture. These materials are held in a large, leak-proof steel basin. Sediment settles, and inflammable waste rises, so the leftover wastewater can be safely discharged to a sewer-treatment facility. From time to time, the inflammable waste buildup needs to be safely removed and disposed of, and that’s when Drain King can help.
So what is inflammable waste? Since inflammable means “capable of being set on fire,” it could be matter in any of its forms ‑ solid, liquid, or gas (vapor). It can be the by-product of a manufacturing process or a discarded commercial product. Examples include, but are not limited to: waste ethanol, methanol, hexane, acetic acid, acetone, motor oil, paints and solvents, aerosols, and cleaning agents. Inflammable waste is characterized by its flash point (the lowest temperature at which a particular organic compound gives off sufficient vapor to ignite in air) of less than 60 C (140 F).
Great care needs to be taken when handling such volatile compounds, to prevent the risk of explosion and/or environmental contamination. In the early 1900s, long before such contaminants were regulated, serious explosions were a regular problem for industrial cities like Pittsburgh, Boston, and New York. In a single year, these three cities suffered six explosions caused by gasoline vapor, resulting in many deaths and severe injuries, as well as physical damage to the sewer lines, buildings, and streets.
Inflammable waste traps may be installed above or below ground. While tanks should be constructed of a leak-proof material, it is important to have them regularly inspected to make sure the waste is fully contained. It is imperative that underground tanks be accessible at ground level for waste removal and inspection. Consider installing an audio and visual alarm that will detect waste levels and alert you when the tank reaches 75 percent of its total capacity. If you choose not to install an alarm, we can manually measure your liquid levels on a monthly basis to gauge the rate of fill. Inflammable waste traps that are not cleaned regularly may allow oils and other chemicals to leak into a septic or sewer system, contaminating wastewater and causing costly cleanup and disposal.
The professionals at Drain King have the knowledge, experience, and equipment to safely and correctly dispose of all types of inflammable waste. Trust us to do your job right the first time.
Clogged drains, pipes, or sewers can be caused by a number of factors. These can include excess debris, overgrown roots, waste blockage, sediment build-up, or grease clogs, to name a few. In order to effectively clear a clogged drain/pipe/sewer, sometimes our professionals need to have a good idea of the cause of blockage this helps them employ correct, appropriate methods.
To properly diagnose and treat a drain clog, we use state-of-the-art, video inspection technology. By inserting a small camera into the blocked area of the drain, which allows for real-time visual inspection, our professionals can determine the cause and location of the blockage. This in turns helps them pinpoint the most effective solution to clear it up.
The technician inserts a high-resolution digital camera attached to a flexible fiber-optic cable down the pipes or drains. This tool is also equipped with powerful lights, enabling the inspection of the inside of the pipes. The video camera utilizes an infrared lighting system that contains a small transmitter. It is also attached to a screen or monitor for real-time visualization that can also be recorded. This footage shows the technician exactly where excavation is required, locating the problem in the drain line and confirming the interior condition of the line.
These cameras are capable of traveling up to 1,000 feet inside any pipe from 6 to 30 inches in diameter and inspecting any portion of the pipe, using tilt and pan technology. This innovation greatly increases productivity and helps in performing repairs or clearing up clogs in an efficient manner, saving time, effort and money.
For more information about our professional video camera technology, please feel free to contact us at Drain King today. We would be happy to provide you with a free quote on our services.
Overpowering and unpleasant sewer smell inside the house can be the result of numerous failures. The sewage disposal system depends on other systems like plumbing, vent and trap systems in order to function correctly.
Smelly Odor in Home
Sewage waste, when degraded by bacteria (which has a vile odor of its own, as well), releases various pungent gases like methane and hydrogen sulfide. In addition to the strong offensive odor, these gases can be combustible and hazardous.
The possible causes include:
Incorrect or a lack of vents in the traps – Vents on a drain let the sewer gases exit the drain system without coming into the house through plumbing fixtures while the traps form an airlock seal against sewer gases that prevent them from entering the home.
A clogged drain – doesn’t allow the odors to get to the vents, which will force them into your home.
Improperly assembled toilet – broken seals around the toilet that allow water to leak or dry out the traps which will cause the odor. An airtight seal between the toilet and floor is absolutely vital in preventing sewer smell from coming indoors. Old, rotting or damp wood can also be blamed.
Leaky, faulty pipes, especially if they are old cast iron – Gasses can collect inside the pipes and escape into the house.
Low water level in the toilet – is another possible cause especially in toilets that don’t get used often.
These are just a few reasons why you may be smelling sewer inside the house. Please contact us at Drain King, where our professionals can determine the exact cause of the sewer smell and eliminate it. It is important to note that sewer smells are dangerous. You and your family should not be exposed to them for long periods of time.
