Line Opening 101: Common Problems & Solutions

Whether your home is old or new, if you cook, do laundry, take baths or wash dishes, you are going to need to address your pipes and your drain line every few years to ensure things are working properly and your septic system is doing its job. For homes that have a garbage disposal, pipes are at a much greater risk of becoming clogged due to grease waste, so we recommend a thorough drain line cleaning every 3-5 years.

Another thing we tell all of our customers when they install a septic system is to be careful where they plant trees or shrubs because roots can be detrimental to a septic system if they grow in/around your pipes. The same is true for sewer lines. In addition to being mindful of where you plant things, it's important never to drive or park heavy equipment over the area your septic tank or sewer line is located. Keep reading to learn more about residential and commercial drain line service, and learn how you can prevent a backup this summer.

The Problem

Your sinks are draining slowly and your shower is filling up... Your dish washing sink is clogged and your hand wash sink seems to be backing up as well. Sounds like you have a clog that requires a high pressure jet to reopen your drain or sewer line.

Solution: High Pressure Jetting

A high pressure jet is used when you (or a plumber) is unable to resolve your clog with a "snake" or other DIY solutions. This is typically because the clog is much further down your pipes, or because the pipe has grown closed over time due to grease buildup and other debris. A jetting system consists of a specialized hose reel confined to a truck or trailer. High pressure water from the hose can break down dirt, debris and grease buildup in your pipes. It's a highly efficient way to remove a clog and open drain lines, but it also has it's limitations. Because the hose reel and pressure system is attached to a truck or trailer, the technician servicing your pipes must be able to park closely to your home or business. 

The Problem

A. Your wife accidentally flushed her wedding ring or your toddler has flushed some small toys. Your sinks and showers are draining slowly...

B. There's been some grease build-up in your lines before but your home is a bit difficult to access from the main street as it's located on a hill.

Solution: Cabling 

When it's not possible to get a hose reel into your home or business - in the event your problem is on the second floor, or your restaurant kitchen is on a lower level etc - we can address your problem with a sewer cable or auger. A cable is a better option if you're trying to retrieve something from the drain line, for example, a toddler flushed something down the drain and you need it back. Or, there are times when adding more water to the line is not possible so a jet would be out of the question. In these situations, our technicians would use a sewer cable or auger to unclog your drain line and avoid a mess. A sewer cable or auger is a coiled cable inside of a drum, attached to a motor that feeds the cable down the line. This can either "grab" the clog in your line or force it out of the pipe to get things flowing again. 

The Problem

All sinks and showers are draining slowly. Toilets are flushing slowly and previous attempts to jet the line or cable the clog have failed.

Solution: Excavation

When other solutions have failed to move the clog or clean out the line, there's a good chance the problem is a damaged or obstructed line that requires repair or replacement. This can be the result of roots, damage to the drain/sewer line from construction or heavy equipment, or simply aging pipes that have cracked. We can use camera technology to get to the "root" of the issue (pun intended), and help us decide where to dig. From here, we'll use our friends from Sam's Backhoe & Septic Repairs to tackle the excavation work to access the pipes we need to fix and come up with the most cost-effective solution. Sometimes a new section of PVC piping is all that's needed, other times it's the connection to the main line or another access point that requires attention. Our team is experienced in diagnosing these problems and getting things fixed quickly and professionally.

While we're always happy to help, the best way to keep your drain line open is to avoid a backup altogether. Here are a few ways to do just that:

• Be careful what you flush. Never flush wipes, feminine products, paper towels, hair, or paint down the drain.
• Avoid the garbage disposal. If your home has one, use it sparingly!
• Watch out for grease build-up. Be careful not to rinse grease down the drain - always disposing of bacon fat/grease drippings and other fatty build-up in the garbage can - not with your garbage disposal!
• Consider a septic system additive to help your tank break up solids and keep things flowing smoothly. Need a recommendation? Ask us!
• Be careful where you plant trees and shrubs. Never plant things with deep roots near your septic system pipes or sewer lines. Roots can damage pipes or get into your lines, narrowing openings or disrupting the flow of waste water altogether.

Whether you're dealing with grease buildup or your bathroom sink is backing up due to a flushed Hot Wheels car, we can help. We've been in the septic business for over 60 years so give us a call to request service for your drain line or septic system today.