Tag: issues

Tips on Avoiding Sewer Line Issues

Simple Preventative Sewer Line Maintenance

The sewer line is among the most important single pipes in a home’s plumbing system. In homes connected to the municipal waste system (as opposed to a septic system), the sewer line is responsible for delivering all wastewater away from the house. All the drains in the house lead directly to one shared line, which then transfers the household waste to a municipal treatment facility. As one can imagine, if something happens to the sewer line, it could spell disaster for the household. 

Luckily, there are some simple preventative sewer line maintenance techniques every homeowner should be aware of. Read on to find out what they are!

Preventing and Catching Sewer Line Clogs

toilet The easiest way to prevent a sewer line issue is to be mindful of what goes down the household’s drains. Generally, nothing but organic waste and toilet paper should go into the toilet. Things like makeup wipes, cotton balls, feminine hygiene products, and even “flushable” wipes should always go into the trash, never the toilet. 

However, even households that are careful about what goes down the drains can still experience a sewer line clog, so it’s important to know the signs of one of these clogs. The easiest way to tell the difference between a clogged drain and a clogged sewer line is to test multiple drains. Since all drains lead to the sewer line, if the clog is a problem, all of them will be affected. 

Generally, the drains on the first floor will show signs first. This includes toilets flushing slowly (or backing up), shower drains backing up, and sinks not draining properly. Chances are, if only one drain is affected, it’s not a sewer line problem. 

Identifying Sewer Line Leaks

leak Sewer line leaks are a different problem that can plague a household. This means that waste leaks out of the sewer line and into the surrounding area. Since most sewer lines run under the front yard, it’s good to watch out for common signs of a leak. 

If the front yard grows grass, the sewer line leak can often act as a fertilizer, causing the grass to grow quickly in one spot. Similarly, it’s often possible to smell the leaking waste when out in the yard — it’s hard to mistake the smell of a broken sewer line for anything else. Unfortunately, sewer line leaks can also attract pests to the yard or even inside the house, so it’s good to be looking out for new bugs or critters. Finally, a leaking sewer pipe can also cause strange sounds to emanate from the drains in the house. 

Homeowners who experience one or more of these signs should contact a professional plumber for help diagnosing and fixing the issue. 

Consider Professional Plumbing Maintenance

One surefire way to prevent a sewer line emergency is regular plumbing maintenance. This checkup helps the entire plumbing system remain in good working order and prevents emergencies like sewer line clogs or leaks. 

During regular plumbing maintenance, a professional plumber will check the sewer line for clogs with a special camera. If buildups or potential clogs exist, the plumber can use a hydro jet to clear out the obstructions. This maintenance can also ward off problems like leaks, helping the plumbing system operate smoothly in the short and long term!

About Apple Valley Plumbing Company

Apple Valley Plumbing Company has been proudly serving Apple Valley, MN, since 2013. They offer upfront pricing and same-day service. They also provide friendly and courteous service, always treating their customers’ homes like their own. Contact them today for sewer line repair in Apple Valley, MN. 

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3 Plumbing Issues That Can Ruin Backyard Summer Fun

Don’t Let Plumbing Problems Flood Out Your Summer Plans!

It’s great to have a backyard during the summer months. It’s the time of year when the yard gets the most use. Cookouts, parties, celebrations, or just playing with the kids or pets outside are some of the best times families have. There’s something great about having a yard in which to make memories. So, that last thing that anyone wants is to have to deal with a flooded yard or other outdoor plumbing emergencies right in the middle of summer. Here are three plumbing issues that can ruin backyard summer fun - and what homeowners can do about them.  

Broken Sprinklerssprinkler

Cultivating a backyard to be proud of usually involves sprinklers. Without them, the grass won’t turn green and lush. They save time, eliminating the need for homeowners to be outside spraying down the lawn with a hose. But sometimes sprinklers can break and cause the yard to flood. 

Underground irrigation lines can break due to roots, ground shifts, or for no apparent reason at all. When this happens, part of the yard may flood, soaking the grass and making that area a colossal mess that can interfere with summer plans. Most of the time, the fix is to dig down and find the break in the line, cut out the section, and replace it. Sometimes the whole system will malfunction, which usually requires a professional plumber to fix. 

hose

Hose Bibs

Many homeowners have hose bibs outside their homes, but they don’t know what they are. Hose bibs come out of the home and are designed to hook a hose up to. Most homeowners know these simply as spigots or hose spigots. While these are usually pretty solid and don’t pose problems, they can start to leak or break on occasion. 

Even a small leak from a hose bib can cost the homeowner hundreds of dollars a year. This is why it’s good to look for water running down from the spigot or dark spots on the wall around where the bib comes out. If things are bad enough, one may require a replacement to fix the issue. 

The Dreaded Sewer Line Damage

Compared to sewer line damage, broken sprinklers or hose bibs seem like a walk in the park. A sewer line breaking can cause all kinds of problems, depending on where it’s located. If one is located under the driveway, it can cause damage to the concrete above as the sewage leaks out and causes the ground to shift. 

Other times, a broken sewer line will cause soggy and smelly areas of the yard, attracting pests to the area. Sometimes patches of especially green or lush grass can pop up above a broken sewer line. Other times it will drain into the basement or cause foundation issues. Those homeowners who suspect they have a broken sewage line should immediately contact a professional plumber to diagnose the issue. 

About Apple Valley Plumbing Company

The friendly folks at Apple Valley Plumbing Company have been serving Apple Valley, MN since 2013. They offer same-day service and always treat their customers’ homes like their own. They offer up-front pricing and are always professional and courteous. Contact them today to schedule sewer pipe repair service. 

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