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Lift Station Problems Homeowners and Business Owners Should Know

by | Dec 15, 2024 | Commercial Lift Station, Lift Station Cleaning, Maintenance

Toilet Connected to Septic Tank

Lift stations are not something a homeowner or business owner thinks about until something goes wrong. A lift station is used to pump wastewater or sewage from a low level to a higher level when the gradient of the area does not allow for a natural flow.

There are two main elements to a lift station: the wet well and the controls. The wet well is a basin into which the inflow is discharged and where the pumps sit. The control panel is the brain of the lift station.

So, how do lift stations work? Sewage is stored and fed into a pit. Once this sewage reaches a certain level, electrical instruments recognize the pit is full and activate the pump, which will then pump the sewage out to its next destination. Most lift stations are housed underground to prevent health risks in a confined area, since the sewage can release poisonous gases like methane and hydrogen sulfide. Therefore, it is essential that owners of existing lift stations consult a professional like Drain King to ensure the pump is still working sufficiently.

A professional can also ensure proper maintenance of your lift station. The pumps, electronic controls, and electrical system are all in a constant corrosive environment, so lift stations require maintenance to head off the need for costly repairs.

Proper maintenance includes wet wells being pumped out and cleaned to prevent solids and grease buildup, inspection of the pumps, greasing of the check valves, and inspections and cleaning of the floats to assure proper performance. Also included is an inspection of all electrical motor-control equipment and of the basin, clean-outs, and covers to prevent buildup.

What Are the Signs of a Sewer Backup?

by | Nov 2, 2024 | Drain Cleaning, Maintenance

Septic Diagram
Septic Diagram

The average homeowner likely knows sewer lines help transport wastewater from the home to underground sewer mains. Other than that, most homeowners give little thought to their sewer lines, until there’s a problem. A sewer line backup could lead to a costly and damaging impact on your home and belongings.

Knowing two of the most common red flags could save you from a complete sewer backup, including water overflow from a drain or toilet, or a gurgling sound coming from the pipes or drains. Listen to your house and take notice of percolating water.

Your home’s drain service resembles a tree. You have one main line that runs out of the house with smaller branches off that main line. If a clog is in the main line, any water you run in the house will cause problems. If it’s a secondary line, problems are just going to be isolated to that area. Tree roots are the primary cause of sewer line clogs, especially in older homes. In newer homes, common sources of clogs include feminine hygiene products, paper towels, and even certain types of thicker toilet paper.

A very obvious sign of a sewer drain clog is when more than one drain service fixture backs up at the same time. If you suspect that you have a sewer drain clog, start by checking other fixtures in the home. Toilets have the most direct path to the sewer and the biggest drain line in the house, so if there is a problem with the sewer drain you will notice it here. Other drains typically affected by a main line stoppage are those in the tub and shower, because they sit lower down than a sink drain. Check whether the tub and shower drains are blocked.

If you suspect a sewer clog but can’t find the source, please call the professionals at Drain King for a diagnosis.

Why Does My Sewer Need To Be Snaked Frequently?

by | Oct 8, 2024 | Commercial Drain Services, Drain Cleaning, Maintenance, Residential Drain Services

Water Jet

A back-up of your sewer system can be a costly and damaging event. Knowing the signs of a clogged drain line or sewer system can help you avoid having to go through such a mess. A clogged sewer line will usually offer clues before it backs up completely. The most common signs of a clogged line are sounds that come from drains and toilets, water backing up or pooling around the drains or toilets, and the smell of raw sewage coming from your drains. If you have an older home or several trees on your property, routine maintenance of your drain system may be the best way to keep your pipes running smoothly.

Most clogs can be cleared quickly. A Drain King professional will typically run a cable, also known as a drain auger or snake, through the line to clear the clog. Clogs can occur in the main sewer line or in one of the smaller secondary lines. If the clog is in the main line, it will impact all the drain service inside your home, and any water you run will create a backup. If it is a secondary line, problems would most likely be isolated to that area.

Clearing your lines with a snake or drain auger will unclog your system, but if the lines are still draining slowly it may be time to have them cleaned. A high-pressure water jet is used to remove all the residue that builds up in your lines, including grease, mineral deposits, hair, food, and other blockages.

What’s Involved With Professional Drain Cleaning?

by | Oct 2, 2024 | Drain Cleaning, Maintenance, Residential Drain Services

Clogged Drain
Clogged Drain

Have you walked through your home and counted the number of drains you actually have? Probably not. So until there is a problem, most people do not think about their pipes or what is done to clean them after something goes wrong.

It takes the right skill and proper equipment to do an effective, long-lasting, and thorough drain-cleaning job. Some companies focus on a “punch-and-run” approach, in which they simply make a hole in a clog rather than clean out and flush the pipe. At Drain King, we focus on doing the job right. To us, the punch-and-run approach is only putting a Band-Aid on a problem that will return sooner than necessary. To properly clean drains, you need the right diagnoses of the problem, the proper equipment, the correct size cleaning-head attachment, and a professional who will take the proper time to make sure the drain is fully cleaned.

There is a difference between just unclogging a drain and cleaning a drain line. A good drain-cleaning professional will have a clear understanding of this and likely know the cause of any clog. If you look around your house, you’ll find a variety of different drains that need to be kept clean so they work properly. Kitchen drains, shower and bath drains, bathroom sink drains, toilet drains, and floor drains all lead to the main sewer-line drain connecting your home to the city system or your septic tank. Done correctly, a professional drain cleaning will ensure the entire system is running properly.

What Are Some Ways Drain King Professionals Can Help With Grease Control?

by | Sep 26, 2024 | Commercial Drain Services, Grease Trap Cleaning, Maintenance

Grease Trap cleaning
Grease Trap

A grease trap is a necessity in any commercial kitchen, large or small. Typically, smaller kitchens will have a grease trap inside, while larger facilities house them outside. Grease traps slow the flow of water coming from drains, giving the grease time to cool. This cooling causes the grease to coagulate and float to the top, while heavier solids fall to the bottom of the trap. The remaining water is free to pass through into the city sewer lines.

Proper maintenance is crucial to effective grease trap operation and to keeping your business running and up to city code. Drain king’s professional technicians should be contracted to maintain grease traps before any problems occur. If the levels of collected fats, oils, and grease (FOG) and solids are not monitored, problems such as drain-line blockages, backups, or foul odors can occur. This can lead to too much FOG being deposited into city sewer lines. This city code violation could result in a fine for the business, as well as necessitate an emergency call to a professional technician to clean out the grease trap and pump the lines.

Our technicians will keep records of when maintenance procedures are done, such as pump outs, cleanouts, or when bacteria is added. Having a professional care for your grease trap gives you piece of mind. Drain King offers frequent-customer plans or preferred-customer programs that provide you emergency services and routine scheduled maintenance.