Plumbing is a complex network of pipes, fixtures and valves assembled to bring water into buildings and remove wastewater. It is one of the most essential lifelines in modern civilization, and proper plumbing maintenance is crucial to ensuring clean drinking water and safe waste disposal.
Foul smells and other signs of plumbing problems should never be ignored. Visit https://www.plumbing-express.com/ to learn more about plumbing to avoid costly repairs in the future.
Almost every home or business owner experiences a clogged drain or sink at some point. While it may seem like a simple issue to deal with using a plunger or snake, clogs are a serious problem that should never be ignored.
Clogs can affect the entire plumbing system, or they can be confined to a single fixture. Most clogs are fairly easy to identify and are usually the result of poor disposal habits or a breakdown in the pipe itself. Some clogs, however, are much more dangerous than others and require a more thorough inspection and repair solution.
While a clogged shower head or an individual sink may be relatively easy to address, a blocked sewer line is a far more significant problem. A main sewer line clog prevents wastewater and sewage from moving throughout your home or business, and it can have a negative impact on all fixtures that are connected to it.
A clogged sewer line can be caused by many things, including tree roots that infiltrate the pipes and cause holes or breaks. It can also be the result of grease poured down a sink drain that firms up and becomes a clog when it cools. Other common causes of a main line clog include food scraps, so-called flushable wipes, and other bulky objects that are flushed down toilets.
The key to avoiding a costly sewer line clog is to recognize the warning signs and act quickly. A slow-moving drain, gurgling noises and foul smells are all clear warning signs that it is time to call in a licensed plumber.
Once a clog forms, it will continue to worsen until it becomes so severe that the entire plumbing system is compromised. This is why it is so important to have regular plumbing maintenance performed and to follow a proper waste disposal regimen. By doing so, you can avoid most clogs and the associated problems they create. Clogged drains can be repaired by a professional plumber, but a systemic clog in your sewer line requires the services of a skilled, experienced contractor to address.
Slow Drainage
The plumbing system in your home relies on healthy, clog-free drains. If you leave slow drainage unchecked, it can result in harmful bacteria and germs festering inside the pipes, causing damage to your home and health issues for your family. Slow drainage is often a symptom of bigger problems, so it’s important to take action as soon as you notice it. Here are a few at-home solutions and professional measures that can help you fix slow drains.
Blockages in your bathroom sinks, bathtubs, and showers are caused by a variety of items including hair, soap scum, grease, and other build-ups. These build-ups put pressure on the pipe walls and cause the water to drain slowly.
A mixture of baking soda and vinegar can be used to break up and dislodge some clogs in a sink or tub drain. However, if you notice that a drain is still slowing down, it’s best to call in a plumber. A plumber can use rodding, jetting, and pipe repair techniques to get your drains flowing properly again.
In addition to drain cleaning, a plumber can also perform backflow testing on your home’s plumbing to ensure that contaminants and bacteria don’t get into your clean drinking water supply. These tests are a vital part of your home’s safety, and should be performed by certified professionals.
When left unchecked, even a minor clog can lead to sewage backups. These can be dangerous for children, adults, and pets, and can cause serious damage to your property. Using chemical drain cleaners to clear a blockage can actually corrode the cast iron and PVC pipes in your plumbing system, so it’s best to leave this type of problem to a professional.
Your plumbing system goes beyond your sinks and into the main sewer line. As such, if there is a problem with this line, it will affect all of your drains and toilets. Tree roots, cracks, settling, and other issues can cause the lines to deteriorate and clog. This is the most serious and difficult problem to fix, as only a licensed plumber can access this area of your home’s plumbing.
Sewer Backups
Sewer backups are one of every homeowner’s worst nightmares, and the water damage they cause can be costly to fix. Exposure to sewage is also unhealthy for household members and pets, making it vital to address the problem immediately if you suspect it. The good news is that there are signs you can watch out for to prevent sewer backups and the problems they can cause.
Your home’s sewer system consists of the public city line that connects to your house and the pipes inside your home that carry waste and sewage from each drain. The sewage and waste are transported to the local treatment plant where they are processed and returned to the environment safely. However, when these lines become clogged or blocked, sewage can back up into your home. These clogs and blockages usually occur in the basement drains, toilets or bathtubs.
Symptoms of a clogged or blocked sewer line include gurgling noises in the drains, slow-moving or completely obstructed wastewater flow and foul odors. If you see sewage in your home’s drains, or it begins to back up into toilets and tubs, shut off your water supply and call a plumber right away.
Some causes of a clogged or blocked sewer can be prevented with routine maintenance and using your drains properly. For example, it’s important to dispose of fats and oils in a proper manner rather than pouring them down the drains. They will solidify and clog the pipe over time. It’s also a good idea to regularly clean the drain screens and keep debris out of the drains.
Tree roots are another common cause of a clogged or blocked sewer. The roots of trees and shrubs often seek out moisture and nutrients found in sewage and wastewater, which can lead to them growing around the lines and causing cracks or blockages. It’s possible to reduce the risk of root invasions by having your sewer lines inspected and maintained, and replacing older clay or cast iron pipes with newer CPVC piping.
A sewage backup is a serious issue that needs to be addressed by trained professionals as soon as possible to prevent costly damage and potential health hazards for you and your family members. If you notice that your drains are moving slower than usual, or if sewage is backing up into your bathtub or shower, contact your local plumbing experts immediately.
Cost
Sewer line repair or replacement can be expensive, but the cost depends on many factors. Length is a significant factor – if the sewer pipe needs to be replaced over a longer distance, it will be more costly.
The type of pipe is another important factor. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is a budget-friendly option, while PVC is more durable but more expensive. Cast-iron pipes are durable, but they rust and can cost up to $75 per linear foot.
Trenchless methods also affect the price. Cured-in-place pipe lining is a popular trenchless technique that coats the inside of a damaged pipe without digging it up. This method costs $80 to $250 per linear foot on average.
Finally, it’s important to consider any landscaping or driveway costs associated with repairing or replacing a sewer pipe. The location of the pipe can make it difficult to access, and digging up a sidewalk or driveway will cost money for repaving.