When your home’s sewer line is working like normal, it’s more than easy to just forget about it. Out-of-sight, out-of-mind. A clogged sewer line, however, spells major trouble for your home. This problem not only prevents you from using your kitchen sink, showers, and toilets, but can result in a disastrous—and expensive—sewer line backup. Here’s what you should know about the common causes of sewer line issues and why you should call a plumbing professional for drain cleaning services if you suspect your home has a sewer line clog.

WHAT ARE THE COMMON CAUSES OF SEWER LINE CLOGS?

Overall, clogs represent more than half of all drain failure issues, and most clogs are caused by the homeowner. Clogs form steadily over time as grease, oil, and other food waste becomes trapped deep in the sewer line and begins to accumulate. This messy situation is only made worse by homeowners who put trash—including “flushable” wipes—down the toilet. Eventually, this will clog the line partially, and then fully. When that happens, the wastewater from your home has nowhere to go but up. 

In some cases, sewer line clogs are caused by tree roots or a sunken length of pipe. In the former scenario, the thirsty roots—detecting a small leak or fissure in the buried line—grow toward it. Eventually, with enough time, these roots will envelope and break into the line, forming a hardy blockage that prevents wastewater from exiting the system into the municipal sewer. Finally, a sunken pipe is a part of the sewer line that is no longer level with the rest of it. The entirety of the line is slightly angled so that the part connected to the home is higher than the line connected to the sewer. This allows gravity to carry water and waste more efficiently. A sunken line disrupts this gravity-based system and allows wastewater and material to get stuck.

These drain failure issues apply to both sewer lines attached to municipal sewer systems and to personal septic systems. Most Americans have a system attached to a municipal sewer, so sending items down the drain that can cause a clog may affect more than just your home.

DANGERS OF A DAMAGED SEWER SYSTEM

A damaged or clogged sewer line can be a costly repair. First, if you have had any sewer backup into your home, you will need extensive water damage repair and, potentially, mold remediation. Then, you’ll need to have the line itself cleared of the clog and repaired. In total, this can cost you thousands of dollars.

If you suspect that you may have a clog forming in your sewer line, now is the time to act. Call a local plumbing professional in your area and have them out for a sewer camera inspection. Using an endoscopic snake tool with a tiny camera attached to the end, the plumber will be able to feed the line deep into the drain and see into the sewer line. As the feed travels through the sewer line, they’ll be able to spot any clogs that are forming, or any leaks in the line. This preventative service is only a small fraction of the cost of a sewer backup, so, for most homeowners, it’s well-worth the peace of mind.

In the event you do have a partial or full sewer line clog, your plumber will provide you with several options for clearing the clog. This may include using a hydrojet to blast out the debris from the line. Or, a plumber may elect to use a specialized snake tool that can cut through the blockage and clear it out.

If you do have a cracked or damaged sewer line, talk to your plumber about trenchless repairs. Most plumbers have equipment today that allows them to replace the line without having to dig the entire thing up. One of the most common methods for doing this involves feeding the new line (with a slightly smaller diameter) into the older one. 

WHAT WASTE CAN LEAD TO A CLOG?

What kind of debris causes a clog? Here are the most common culprits that build up in your line and slow or stop your water drainage:

• Flour
• Rice
• Eggshells
• Coffee grounds
• Grease, fat, and oil

These items mix with water to create a slurry or sludge that sticks to the walls of your drain lines. Over time, this can create a complete clog that causes your sink to overflow. There are many other materials—both organic and non-organic—that can accelerate the growth of a clog. This includes orange rinds, hair, flushable wipes, paper towels, hygiene products, and more. The central lesson here is this: if you want to prevent sewer line issues, avoid flushing or putting any of these items down the drain. Put them in the trash instead. When it comes to cooking oil and grease, pour it in a disposable glass jar to cool and solidify. Then, you can throw it away.

PROFESSIONAL SOLUTIONS

Don’t let a minor clog create a major headache. Contact a local professional for drain cleaning services and help with your sewer line. To learn more about sewer line issues and how they can be prevented, check out this new infographic .

Mold can grow anywhere in your home, but it thrives in dark, damp conditions. It’s those conditions that make your basement the perfect breeding ground for mold. Once mold spores begin to develop and spread, they can be very challenging to remove. To prevent basement mold growth, follow these simple tips:

Reduce moisture and seal off areas that could allow water to enter the basement, like foundation cracks, leaking pipes, and doors and windows.

Examine your sump pump. A sump pump is designed to collect excess water and redirect it away from your home, but if it fails, your basement could flood, leading to water damage and mold growth. 

Install the right flooring. Mold grows easily in carpet, which soaks up moisture and is difficult to clean. When it comes to flooring, choose a washable surface, like ceramic or vinyl. 

Perform exterior waterproofing. Plan your landscaping around basement flood prevention, position gutter downspouts away from the home, and clean your gutters regularly. 

Declutter your basement to eliminate congestion that blocks air from flowing freely throughout the space.

Insulate your basement, including pipes, walls, and windows to prevent condensation and to lower humidity.

Keep plants and wood upstairs. Mold feeds on organic materials, so keep greenery and wood in spaces where dry air flows freely.

Install proper ventilation. If your laundry room is in your basement, make sure your washer and dryer have proper ventilation. The steam produced by these appliances will otherwise have nowhere to escape and your ceiling and walls will trap moisture.

Guest Contributor: Austin Werner

PLANNING OUT YOUR BATHROOM REMODEL? HERE ARE SOME PLUMBING MISTAKES YOU’LL WANT TO AVOID

Next to a kitchen makeover, a master bathroom remodel is one of the best things you can do for your home’s value. Plus, a reimagining of your bathroom can make it a much more enjoyable and usable space. Yet, many homeowners put off this project for years. After all, just where do you start, and how much should you budget? In this article, we’ll review how you can get your bathroom remodel moving forward again, and some of the common pitfalls you’ll want to avoid when planning your project out.

TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING YOURSELF

When working within a tight budget, it’s tempting to simply remove the cost of labor and take on the entire remodel by yourself. After all, how hard could it be? While there’s a fair amount of a bathroom remodel that homeowners can complete themselves, there are certain aspects that need to be handled by a professional. For example, bring in a licensed plumber to help with anything involving plumbing.

If you’re feeling like you’re in over your head, you may want to consider hiring a remodeling contractor near the start of your project. There are several advantages that come with working with the right person:

• Experience: A trusted local remodeler has remodeled dozens, if not hundreds, of bathrooms. They can put together an accurate budget and scope while also helping you avoid common pitfalls.
• Timeline: A contractor will set a deadline and strive to meet it. If you’re only able to work on your remodel over the weekends, set to your own deadline, who knows when your bathroom will be usable again?
• Results: There’s always a risk with DIY work that the end result might look shoddy or be low-quality. For obvious reasons, working with a good contractor eliminates this risk.

PUTTING TOO MUCH INTO THE PROJECT

One of the biggest challenges of a bathroom remodel—and perhaps a significant reason why many homeowners put off the start of their remodel year-after-year—is not knowing where to start. After all, everyone has a basic concept of what a remodeled master bathroom looks like. But, translating that general idea into a detailed roadmap that outlines all the tools and materials needed is another thing altogether. 

To add to that challenge, there are so many choices and decisions to make. Quartz, granite, or marble on top of the vanity? What kind of lights should you buy? Does this shower tile and this shower glass go together? Cumulatively, this can lead to something called choice paralysis, where the overwhelming number of options and variables leads to homeowners endlessly talking about their project, but never actually getting going.

Start with the budget. On average, people spend around $19,000 on a mid-range bathroom remodel and later net a 70.1% return on investment. If you work backwards, you can start to make choices informed by your budget: if you’re looking to keep costs down, keep the current layout in place, choose granite over marble, and prioritize the shower over the bathtub. This is setting the scope for your project. You want your punch list of things that need to be completed to realistically fit within both your budget and timeline.

HIRING THE WRONG CONTRACTORS

If you’ve made the decision to hire a remodeler, plumber, or electrician for your project, make sure you find the right one. This is another place where things often go very wrong, very fast: in an effort to fit a professional into their budget, homeowners will accept the lowest bid out there. Often, instead of getting a great deal, you get someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing, makes mistakes, shows up late, causes the project to go over its original deadline, or is not honest.

Instead, submit multiple bids with professionals in your area who can be trusted. Read online reviews and talk to your friends and neighbors: there is bound to be a few people in your community who are willing to attest to the bathroom remodeling work of good contractors. Once you’ve narrowed down your list, be sure to ask these professionals about their experience remodeling bathrooms like yours, as well as what kind of insurance and certifications they have.

A little bit of homeowner homework ahead of hiring someone can save you a ton of money and headache down the road. Trust us: the right plumber, remodeler, or electrician makes all the difference.

IT’S TIME TO MOVE FORWARD

If you’ve been dreaming of a bathroom remodel for years, but have put it off time-and-time again, there’s no time like the present to get started. Follow the tips above to ensure your remodel starts right and goes smoothly. For even more helpful advice about plumbing mistakes to avoid, check out this infographic:

Guest Contributor: Amanda L

TOP 8 SPECTACULAR OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE

When Summer rolls around, most of us like to spend it outside. You will want to have an outdoor area that is perfect for entertaining, or the perfect space for you to spend outdoors with your family. The last decade people have started to put a lot of effort in their backyards, or what we would rather call it, outdoor living space. When you live in or around Chicago, you’re use to having bipolar weather year round. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t spend your time and money on your outdoor living area. The perfect outdoor area would be usable Spring, Summer and Fall. Let me show you some great ideas, that will make you want to run out and start working on your perfect outdoor living space.

What did you learn? Your outdoor area should have good seating, fire pit, bar, kitchen, grill station, and cover. Start utilizing your backyard. Make it a living space. Not only will you enjoy it, it will bring up the value of your home.

Why Should you Consider a Sump Pump Before Flooding?

We are already familiar with the features, advantages, and importance of sump pumps in households. However, why do you think there are still so many varieties of articles yet mentioning about sump pumps. It is because people have started taking it lightly and they often fail to make use of it during flooding situations. Ensuring that your sump pumps work efficiently during flood situation or bad weather conditions will prevent your property especially the basement from any bad damages.

Before we begin explaining to you why you must consider a sump pump during flood situations, let us quickly understand what a sump pump is in simple word. A sump pump is a small pump that flushes out any access water from the lowest part of your area or house such as the basement. As a result, these areas are saved from flooding saving your property’s exteriors and interiors.

A sump pump unit is usually installed in the basement of your house with a sump pit. Most sump pumps work automatically with the support of a float or a pressure sensor. As soon as the water fills in the sump pit, the sump pump motor turns on and starts removing excess water and prevents your property from flooding.

Consider a Sump Pump before flooding

We already know prevention of flooding is one of the major reasons why people fix sump pumps in their basements. There are various other reasons why sump pumps are installed in the houses. Let’s take a quick look at these too;

Sump pumps:

• Helps prevent corrosion and rusting of metal appliances that your house may have in the basement. It is because the flooded water may damage these appliances and that is what sump pump won’t allow.
• Prevents the wall coverings and paint from peeling off from the ceilings, roofs, and walls. You certainly don’t want the paint or interiors of your house to get wasted.
• Sump pumps keeps the area dry and clean helping your property to be safe from any sort of insect infestation.
• A sump pump unit in regular working condition helps to remove any sort of moisture which may lead to nesting of molds, fungus, and/or mildew. Take a look at the battery backups too in case of emergency flood conditions.

You may have never faced a flooding issue before but, can you guarantee your future that it may never happen? You are fortunate that flooding circumstances have never arrived before however; it is always wise and safe to be prepared for any unpleasant circumstances.

Check out in the market the different types of sump pump models and qualities available. These may have different features and benefits but, the objective is one – prevention of flooding. For maximum performance of the unit, it would be wise to keep a check regularly and follow basic maintenance tips. Protect your house by the basics of flooding prevention and understand the importance of sump pump installation. There are various articles speaking of the same.

Guest Contributor: Maninder Singh