Sewer Line Backing up? Helpful info on what may be going on in your sewer line!

It’s that time of year that we all start thinking about maintenance and repairs to our home, before winter weather sets in. If you haven’t started an annual sewer line rodding routine to keep your sewer line clear and up to par, you may want to consider adding it to your list. Sewer line backs ups can cause huge headaches to home owners, and frequent back-ups can be a complete catastrophe! If you haven’t started an annual rodding routine, perhaps this might be the time to start!

If you’re frequently dealing with sewer line backups, here’s a look at what common problems may be occurring—and what you can do to fix it and stop the backups for good.

Reasons why your sewer line may be backing up:

  1. CLOGS!! : Clogs can be one reason that sewer lines keep backing up. You’ll experience persistent clogs if things like oil, grease, hair, “flushable” wipes, tampons or other items keep entering your drains and sewer line. The good news is that this is one of the easiest problems to fix. Simply take extra precaution to avoid letting these items go down your drains and toilet.

  2. Damage to the sewer line:: After clearing clogs and being careful to avoid future clogs, you can continue having sewer line backups if your sewer line is cracked, has holes in it, or is otherwise damaged. That’s because a cracked sewer line can let dirt and rocks in, creating a new blockage and forcing your wastewater to back up into your home (because it has nowhere else to go).

  3. Roots, Roots and more Roots: Tree roots can cause havoc on your sewer line! . If trees are growing near your sewer line, they can potentially cause damage to the line. The roots can push against the line and cause misalignments and eventually cracks. When the sewer line has a leak the roots can infiltrate the line in search of water and nutrients and cause major blockages and stoppages. When that happens and the line , they can eventually prevent any wastewater from passing through. Plus, if the roots aren’t properly removed, they can grow back, causing the same problem and recurring sewer backups.

  4. A broken, sagging, or collapsed sewer line: Sewer lines can break for all sorts of reasons, from pipe aging and corrosion to shifting soil, heavy above-ground construction, and more. No matter how a sewer line breaks, you’re sure to experience backups in your home until your sewer line is fixed.

How we fix sewer line back-ups and recurring issues:

The only way to stop recurring sewer backups is to identify the exact problem with the line. A camera inspection of the sewer line can help diagnose issues. What you’re professional can see in a camera inspection can tell us a lot about what problems you have going on and even potential future problems. What we see in a camera inspection:

What’s going on inside your sewer line ( roots, clogs, holes or damage )

The condition of the line, including potential future issues in vulnerable areas, (corrosion, cracks, damage)

Exactly where, in the line, that the problem has occured, and may potentially occur later on.

Depending on what your technician finds it may mean:

Annual Rodding: Your technician may suggest annual rodding to maintain free flow of the sewer lines, or suggest a root killer product to help battle roots in the sewer line.

Repair or replacement of the sewer line: If your sewer line is sagging or collapsed it may need to be repaired or replaced. This may require excavation depending how bad the collapse is.

Installation of an outside or inside clean out: these make regular sewer line maintenance much easier and less expensive in the future.

If you are experiencing any of these issues, be sure to call a local plumber to help get the problem solved right away, these problems don’t get better with time, and usually require a sewer line professional to avoid causing further damage to your sewer line. Call Szabo’s Super Rooter for all of your sewer line repair and maintenance needs!

Outside Clean out installation with our very own John Ashe!!

Outside Clean out installation with our very own John Ashe!!

Back to School time!!

As the summer winds down and the new school year has begun, the kids aren’t the only ones who have gone back to school! In recent weeks, our very own Super Rooter Plumbers, have been doing some refresher work with our owner, Kevin Szabo Jr.! Kevin was instructing the technicians on what to keep stocked in a sweat bag, and why having a properly stocked bag and truck are so important to what we do.

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4 Tips to save water this summer

Homeowners tend to use more water in the summer compared to other seasons. In fact, it’s estimated that water use is two to four times higher in the summer months. Conserving water is always important, but becomes especially vital during summer. Here are 4 simple ways to do your part and save water in your home.

Shorter Showers

Long relaxing showers aren’t something most people are willing to sacrifice. However, just a small alteration to your shower schedule can save serious money. Simply trim your shower time by two minutes and you can save around 1,750 gallons of water per year. This amount of savings also multiplies if everyone in your household participates. If a family of four shortens their showers by two minutes, that would save around 7,000 gallons of water per year!

Adjust Your Watering Schedule

Watering your lawn during the hottest hours of the day means a lot of water evaporates before it’s absorbed. This means using more water to keep your grass alive. Luckily, you can avoid this problem by adjusting your watering schedule. Water your lawn in the early morning or evening hours when the sun isn’t out. This reduces the evaporation rate, which means using less water to irrigate your lawn.

Visit the Car Wash

Instead of washing your car at home in the driveway, trying the local car wash. Surprisingly, it’s estimated that you’ll use 150 gallons of water to wash a car at home. What’s more, car washes only use 50 gallons of water per vehicle. You’ll save around 100 gallons of water just by visiting the car wash. Another bonus? It saves you the trouble of washing your car by hand!

Turn off the Tap

Being mindful of when your tap is running is one of the easiest ways to save water. People commonly leave the faucet on while they brush their teeth or wash their face. Since it’s estimated that 2.5 gallons of water leave the faucet every minute, that wasted water adds up quickly.

Dentists recommend brushing your teeth for a minimum of two minutes, which means you’re wasting 5 gallons of water every time you leave the tap running while brushing!

Saving water helps both the environment and your pocketbook. If you’re looking for easy ways to save water around the house this summer, look no further than this list.

Get the whole family involved so you can maximize your efforts and conserve as much water as possible!



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How To Unclog A Shower Drain

If you’ve been noticing a funky odor from your shower drain or if water is pooling over your ankles as you enjoy your morning shower, you probably have a clogged shower drain. This is usually a minor issue—one that you may be able to fix with a few common household items.

Try these three approaches to get things flowing again:

MANUALLY UNCLOG THE SHOWER DRAIN

The best way to unclog a shower drain is to remove the obstruction—which is usually a ball of hair, oils, and debris. To begin, remove the drain cover and shine a flashlight into the drain to see if there is a visible clog.

If the clog is near the surface, use your hand or a pair of needle-nose pliers to remove it.

If you can see the drain clog, but cannot reach it with your hand, a wire clothes hanger may do the trick:

  1. Use wire cutters to cut the wire hanger at the juncture to the right of the hook.

  2. Bend the wire until it’s one straight, long unit with the rounded hook at the top, which will be your handle.

  3. Alternatively, you can grasp the wire hanger with one hand, and using your other hand, begin turning the hook to untwist the wire. Straighten until you have one long piece of wire.

  4. Measure about ¼ to ½ inch from the bottom end and use needle-nose pliers to pinch the end into a very small hook.

  5. Gently lower and guide the end with the small hook into the shower drain and work it around until you feel resistance.

  6. Once you can feel the mass, rotate the hook and gently tug to grasp the clog and pull it up. You may need to repeat this step a few times to remove the whole thing.

If the drain clog is beyond the reach of your nifty clothes-hanger tool, a hand-snake can be purchased at your local hardware store. Follow manufacturer directions to guide the device into the drain and remove the clog.

UNCLOG THE DRAIN USING SIMPLE KITCHEN INGREDIENTS

If you prefer a more passive approach that keeps your hands clean and spares your senses, you can try a few homemade potions. These may work to loosen or dissolve a minor clog and blissfully send it to its final resting place:

  • Pour ½ to 1 cup of liquid dish soap directly into the drain. Wait 20-30 minutes. Flush with very hot water. (You may want to boil 2-3 quarts of water to use for maximum benefit.)

  • Baking soda and vinegar, a safe alternative to harsh chemicals, is another tried-and-true method for unclogging your shower drain. Pour 1 cup baking soda into the drain, immediately followed by 1 cup of distilled white vinegar. Cover the drain with a bathtub plug or rubber stopper and wait for 20-30 minutes. Again, flush with hot or boiling water to dislodge the clog.

  • Believe it or not, a liter of fizzy cola dumped down the drain followed by hot water sometimes does the trick, too.

UNCLOGGING SHOWER DRAINS THROUGH STANDING WATER

If there’s standing water in the shower or tub, use a plunger to partially unclog the shower drain so that the standing water goes down. Place the plunger head firmly over the drain, covering it entirely. Push the plunger rapidly up and down five to 10 times, wait a moment, then repeat. Once the water has receded, you can try one or more of the above methods to unclog the drain.

HIRE A PROFESSIONAL PLUMBER

Hopefully, using one or more of these techniques will unclog your shower drain, but if you’re still having trouble, or if—like many of us—you simply don’t have the time to do it yourself, get your flow back by contacting Super Rooter Plumbing and Sewer.

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Five Signs You Should Call Your Plumber

When something minor happens with the plumbing in your home, there’s often the impulse to ignore it and hope it goes away. Strange noises, a slow drain, or low water pressure — they’re annoying, but you can live with it, right? Unfortunately, these are usually signs that something is wrong with your pipes. Stay ahead of things and contact the professionals at Super Rooter Plumbing before it gets worse. To help you out, here are five signs that it’s time to call your plumber.

Low Water Pressure

This is a pet peeve of homeowners everywhere. This seemingly minor problem can be caused by a variety of issues, such as leaks, clogs, incorrectly sized pipes, or malfunctioning pressure valves. To get to the root of the problem as quick as possible, it’s best to contact a plumber for an inspection.

Slow Draining Water

Often, a clogged drain is something that a plunger or drain snake can fix. However, for a slow drain that just won’t unclog, it’s a good idea to call a professional. Trying too hard to clear out a stubborn block can actually cause more damage to your pipes. When in doubt, it’s best to hire a plumber and avoid any unintended, expensive repairs.

Unusual Noises

Do you hear water running through your pipes at odd times? Do you hear gurgling when you run the dishwasher or flush the toilet? A loud thud when you turn off faucets? Often these can be early warning signs that a problem is developing. It could be that the air chamber in your sink has become water logged, that water pressure is set too high, or that water valves or lines connecting to your appliances need to be replaced. Hiring a professional can save you a lot of time tracking down and fixing the root cause before it gets out of hand.

Strange Smells

If you catch a whiff of sulfur coming from your sink, or sewage is backing up into your bathtub, it means that something is very wrong with a sewer pipe near your home. Left unchecked, a burst sewer pipe can cause major damage to your home’s foundations and surrounding property. This is definitely not a fix-it-yourself situation — contact Super Rooter immediately.

Major Installations

A DIY mindset can make sense for smaller projects, but when it comes to making major changes to fixtures or appliances, be smart and hire a Super Rooter plumber. Even something that seems relatively easy, such as moving a dishwasher or sink, could result in expensive repairs if you’re not careful. Your best bet is to hire an expert who has the correct tools and know-how to get the job done. 

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Back To The Basics: The Plunger

Every household has a plunger, and when a clog occurs in the bathroom, it’s essential to have on hand. No homeowner wants to be left without a plunger, but have you ever wondered if you’re using your plunger right?

Not being able to use this simple tool correctly can result in bigger and uglier problems. For this reason, Super Rooter has come up with a useful guide to help you learn how to properly use a plunger.

How To Use A Plunger?

Most people reach for the plunger when the toilet becomes clogged and isn’t flushing correctly. You can use a plunger on other clogs throughout the house, such as in sinks, and many times a plunger will fix the issue and save you a call to your plumber.

Choosing The Right Plunger

Even though all plungers are designed to unclog a drain, some plungers are best suited for different types of clogs. Let’s take a look at some of the different plungers, so you know which one is best for you.

The Standard Plunger

If you have a plunger at home, you probably have the standard plunger. This type typically has a wooden handle and an orange rubber cup. Standard plungers come in a variety of surfaces, and while they can be used for a variety of clogs, they are best used for flat surfaces over a sink drain or in a slow draining bathtub and shower area.

Toilet Plungers

While a standard plunger may help unclog your toilet, it’s ideal to have a plunger that’s specifically designed for a toilet. Like a standard plunger, toilet plungers, also known as a flange plunger, have a long handle and a rubber cup (often black).

The design difference is a flap (or flange) that folds out from the inside of the cup and is intended to fit into the toilet drain opening; which helps form a better seal and apply more effective pressure when plunging. Since the flap folds back into the cup, this type of plunger is also suitable for sinks and tubs.

Accordion Plunger

Another toilet plunger referred to as an “accordion” plunger. Rather than a traditional flexible rubber cup, the cup is made of hard plastic and is an accordion design. While it’s a forceful plunger, it’s not as versatile as traditional toilet plungers.

When selecting the type of plunger you want, it all comes down to personal preference. It’s a good idea to have one plunger for each toilet in your home and one other standard or multi-purpose plunger for other non-toilet clogs so you won’t have to use your toilet plunger to clear a clog on your kitchen sink or bathtub.

Plungers are relatively inexpensive and available everywhere from your local grocery store to online stores such as Amazon.

Now that you know more about plungers and which ones are best for specific clogs to let’s take a look at how to use a plunger.

Using A Plunger In Your Toilet

When your toilet looks like it’s going to overflow, check to make sure the flapper valve in your toilet tank is down and wait about ten minutes.

After waiting at least ten minutes, turn off the water supply hose on your toilet (located on the wall behind the toilet). If the water in the toilet is still close to overflowing, remove some of the water using a small disposable plastic cup. The water level must be halfway up the brim so it can completely cover the cup of your rubber plunger. If the water level is too low, add more water to fill the toilet bowl approximately halfway; having the right amount of water can make plunging more effective.

Using a plunger, make sure the flange is out from the inside of the cup. As you put your plunger in the water, the cup should be covered with water, and the rubber ring of the flange should be inserted into the drain opening in the bowl to create suction.

Put even pressure, pushing and pulling vertically for about 20 seconds. Avoid breaking the “seal” with the drain and keep the plunger in the water.

Unclogging Tub, Sink, or Shower

It’s easy to use a plunger on a bathtub, sink, or shower. As we mentioned earlier, standard plungers work best on clogs that are not in a toilet.

Take note that if you plan to use a chemical for unclogging drains that you don’t use a plunger (as noted on the warnings on the bottle). A plunger could splash around the toxic chemical and cause harm to you.

If you unclog a sink drain, tub, or shower, make sure to cover the overflow drain if one is present. For overflow drains in sinks, you can take a wet rag, wring out the excess water, and plug in the hole.  Covering the overflow drain helps create a stronger suction.

Place the cup of the plunger over the drain to create a tight seal and, using firm pressure, push and pull the plunger vertically. Similar to plunging a toilet, plunge the drain for about 20 seconds.

If you continue to have a slow drain, try plunging more and use extra force.

What to Do When Plungers Fail

Still can’t get your sink and toilet unclogged using plungers (or still don’t know how to use a toilet plunger) but don’t want to call the plumber yet? You can try one of those chemical drain cleaners, but understand that these substances need to be handled with care. There are different types of chemical drain cleaners available in the market, some of which are sold to professional plumbers only. These substances are so strong, they can cause organic matters that clog toilets to disintegrate and oxidize. And because they’re heavier than water, chemical drain cleaners can pass through standing water in your clogged toilet bowl and reach its target.

If you don’t like using chemicals or don’t feel safe using them, you can try homemade cleaners using baking soda and vinegar. These two are good at fixing bathtub and sink clogs. Alternatively, you can also use hot water and dish soap in clearing clogged toilets. Start by boiling water in a water heater. Pour hot water into a bucket, add some liquid dish detergent and pour the solution into the toilet bowl. Let it stand for a few minutes to allow the hot water to soften whatever it is that clogged the pipe before flushing it again.

Taking Care Of Your Plunger

While most plunger handles are designed to screw into the cup, you may want to consider replacing your plunger when the handle moves around too much or if the cup starts to crack. A damaged plunger is less likely to create good suction, and you may end up working harder than necessary to unclog a drain.

 

For sanitary purposes, it’s a good idea to keep it clean. You may also decide to soak your plunger in bleach. If you have a large toilet bowl, you may clean the plunger in the toilet; make sure the cleaning solution is safe for your toilet. After cleaning the plunger, let it dry and keep it someplace convenient.

If you want to keep your plunger nearby, you can always store it in a bathroom closet. If you store a plunger in a bucket, just make sure to clean the container.

Final Thoughts on How to Use a Plunger

Using a plunger is the easiest, cheapest way to fix clogged toilets and sinks. All it takes is adequate preparation and lots of patience to get things done. While plungers are one of the most affordable household tools, living without at least one can lead to inconveniences. It is therefore imperative to take proper care of your plungers so they remain in excellent condition and be of use to you for a long time.

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Plumbing FAQs

Is there any maintenance for a water heater that I can do?

Yes! The pressure relief valve can be regularly tested. If it fails to operate you can replace it. You should flush out the sediments at least once a year. As long as a tank has a functioning anode, it should not rust. You should have the anode checked, by a Super Rooter professional about once every two years.

What happens when roots get inside drain lines?

If left undisturbed, roots from shrubs and trees will completely fill a pipe with multiple hair-like root masses at each point of entry. These root masses can quickly become clogged with grease, toilet tissue and other debris flowing from your home to the main sewer. This will result in reduced flow, slow running drains and in most cases a complete blockage. Once roots have entered the pipe, they continue to grow and expand, exerting considerable pressure at the crack or joint. This increased pressure often breaks the pipe and may result in total collapse, which requires repair or replacement. Some pipe materials are more susceptible to root intrusion than others. Clay tile pipe can be easily penetrated and damaged by tree roots. Concrete pipe and PVC pipe can also allow root intrusion, but not to the extent of clay pipe. PVC pipe usually has fewer joints and the tightly fitted joints are less likely to leak as a result of settlement around the pipe. Allow Super Rooter to use state-of-the-art inline drain cameras to view and record your drain problems with roots.

What is the white substance around my showerhead and faucet?

That unsightly buildup is mineral deposits. You can remove these deposits from the showerhead by taking a plastic bag and pouring a cup of vinegar in it. Place the bag over the showerhead and use a twist tie to hold it in place overnight. In the morning, remove the bag and use an old toothbrush to gently scrub off the deposits. You might be able to remove the aerators from the faucets and allow them to soak in the vinegar overnight.

How do I eliminate the foul odor coming from my garbage disposal?

This is a common plumbing question. A buildup of food debris within the disposal is what causes the foul odors. To eliminate odors, place ice cubes and lemon or orange peels in the disposal, and run for 30 seconds. Next, squirt a little liquid dish detergent into the disposer while it is still running. Finally, run cold water for about 30 seconds to rinse all the debris away.

What is the recommendation for replacing a toilet in my home?

When considering any new fixture for your home, we recommend that you choose a fixture made by one of the major manufacturers. If cracks or fissures are present in the tank or bowl, this can impede the operation of the fixture. Poor mounting and deteriorating rings and seals can affect the operation as well. Keep in mind that many of the new toilets conform to new government standards that require they use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush. If you are replacing an older model, this may take getting use to.

What could be causing my recent high water bill?

You may want to check to see if a toilet is leaking. Check the water level in the tank to see if water is overflowing into the overflow pipe. This is the pipe in the middle of the tank which has a small tube connected to it. In the event water is running into the overflow pipe, adjust the fill valve to stop the flow approximately one inch below the top of the overflow tube or to the water level mark stamped on the side of the tank. Periodic maintenance by a plumbing professional will ensure proper operation.

I have a problem with the plumbing in my house making groaning and honking noises.

It could be that you have lost your "air cushion." To get it back, turn the water supply off at the main valve. Turn on all the faucets around your home. Then turn on the main valve again and shut off each faucet. This should take care of the problem.

My kitchen sink drains slowly. Could the drains be partially clogged?

First, try using a plunger. Second, try using a liquid drain opener, but use caution and read the directions. Third, you can remove the trap and remove any debris. Be careful if you have used a liquid drain opener, because there may be some in the trap. Fourth, if the clog is beyond the trap, there are drain augers that extend from about 15 feet to about 50 feet. There are also special enzyme-based drain openers that will help dissolve buildup in pipes in older homes.

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