Tag: lines

How To Deal With Backed Up Sewer Lines

What To Do When the Sewer Line is Clogged 

Backed-up sewer lines can be frustrating and disgusting. Despite a homeowner’s best attempts, a household will likely have to deal with this problem at some point. Knowing the signs and underlying causes can help homeowners effectively deal with the problem and the underlying causes. Some of the signs of a clogged sewer line can be: 

  • Foul-smelling water backing up into bathtubs
  • Slow-flushing toilets
  • Slow draining from tubs and sinks
  • Foul odors leaking out of drains
  • Noisy draining 

If any of these signs are spotted, professional drain cleaning solutions are the best quick fix, as they can offer insights into any underlying problems. 

What Causes Backed-Up Sewer Lines? 

tree roots One of the first questions homeowners should ask when dealing with a clogged sewer line is whether the problem has been occurring more frequently. Sometimes, sewer line clogs occur for no obvious reason, simply because the line is fouled with grime. 

However, sewer line clogs often occur in a cluster. Homeowners find themselves calling a plumber multiple times over the course of a few weeks or months. When this happens, there is likely an underlying cause leading to frequent sewer line backups. 

Sewer lines are buried under the home and property, exposing them to certain unseen hazards. Some of the causes of chronic sewer line clogs can be: 

  • Shifting soils that cause the pipes to misalign or sheer
  • Stressed pipe joints
  • Outdated sewer line materials
  • Cracked metal or clay sewer lines
  • Invasive tree roots 
  • Poor drain habits 
  • Sewer Clog Solutions 

Knowing the frequency of drain line problems can help plumbers troubleshoot a problematic sewer line. Often, a visit from a plumber in this circumstance will prompt them to recommend drain snaking or hydrojetting. 

Drain snaking is usually cheaper, but hydrojetting is much more effective in dealing with one-off sewer line problems. Hydro jetting cuts through clogs but also leaves the insides of pipes much cleaner than drain snaking. 

Once the pipe is clear of debris and standing water, the plumber may recommend sewer video inspection if they suspect a more serious problem, such as chronic clogs. If a sewer line is damaged, they may recommend sewer line repairs or trenchless sewer repair methods for larger replacements. 

Preventing Sewer Line Clogs 

clogIn an ideal world, homeowners would never have to deal with clogged sewer lines. While there are no guarantees that a sewer line will not fail, the preventative actions homeowners take can virtually eliminate the threat of surprise clogged sewer lines. 

Start by changing how people use the drains in the home. For example, never put food waste down the drain. Always scrape dishes into the trash and run the garbage disposal if food particles enter the drain. 

Encourage people in the home to only flush waste, not toilet paper, by providing trash cans for refuse. Finally, vegetation should be prevented from growing near the path of sewer lines so there is no chance a tree root will crack the line. 

About Daniels Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, LLC

Daniels Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, LLC responds quickly to drain and plumbing emergencies. They can use hydrojetting to clear clogs and sewer line repairs to handle underlying problems. Call today for sewer line service in Albuquerque, NM. 

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Tips for Protecting Your Sewer Lines

How Maintenance Can Prevent Sewer Line Disasters 

Most homeowners understand the basics of sewer lines—they connect to all the fixtures throughout the home and help remove waste. Because they’re built durably, they’re often out of sight and mind. And while a clogged toilet here and there may not be a severe issue, it could be a warning sign of a much larger problem. Understanding how preventive maintenance can prevent sewer line disasters is crucial, as it’s the only proactive step homeowners can take to avoid costly repairs and damage to the home.

In this article, plumbing experts share some common warning signs homeowners can look for and how routine plumbing maintenance can help.

What’s Behind Sewer Blockages

clogWhile plumbing issues like leaks and blockages can stem from old plumbing systems, the most common culprits are often the homeowners themselves. For example, kids flushing their toys down the toilets, cat litter going in the bathtub, or cooking grease that hardens in the kitchen sink drain can all spell disaster in the plumbing system.

That’s why the first step to preventing a sewer line clog is watching what goes into the system. 

This can start by educating kids and families about what can and can’t be flushed (including those “flushable” wipes) and keeping garbage cans close so there’s an easy alternative.

However, even with the best care, things happen, and knowing how it can impact the sewer line is key. Some common signs of a sewer line clog include: 

  • Slow drainage from one or multiple drains
  • Foul odors emanating from fixtures – particularly the toilet
  • Gurgling sounds when flushing the toilet
  • Water backup
  • Low water pressure

If these issues are limited to one fixture, they can sometimes be repaired with simple drain-cleaning techniques. However, if they impact multiple fixtures or the entire home, it’s considered an emergency, and a plumbing contractor should be called immediately.

Sewer Line Leaks vs Common Plumbing Leaks

leak Although blockages are the more common signal of sewer line issues, leaks are a symptom that requires immediate attention. Caused either by wear and tear or a severe blockage, which creates excess pressure and ruptures the sewer pipe, a leak can cause extensive damage to the home and extremely unsanitary conditions. 

While a common leak can leave pools of water around the home and cause damage, sewer line leaks are particularly damaging because they leak wastewater into the home. Not only can this water have a foul odor, but also it can be filled with bacteria, which can be a health hazard. Some sewer line leak signs to look for include:

  • Pools of water or wet spots in the lawn or areas around the home
  • An increase in pests – i.e., insects or rodents
  • Unusual sounds like gurgling or the constant flow of water
  • Odors inside or around the home

In this instance, a plumber will be needed to repair the sewer line. Depending on the location of the damage, excavation can be required to find underground sewer lines or a simple relining of the pipe, which is often done with minimal disturbance to the area around the home. 

How Professional Plumbing Maintenance Helps 

The bottom line is that sewer line damage and repairs can be unsightly and costly. The best way for homeowners to prevent them is with routine maintenance. During a maintenance appointment, a plumber will inspect the sewer lines, perform basic drain cleaning, and provide additional advice or service. It’s an opportunity to catch sewer line issues early and avoid major emergencies or damage to the home. 

About Daniels Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, LLC

With a focus on honesty, transparency, and genuine helpfulness, Daniels Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, LLC, is the plumbing company homeowners count on in Albuquerque, NM. They have over 13 licensed technicians available 24/7 to handle plumbing issues, big or small. Contact them today to learn more about sewer line maintenance and repair services.

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