Sewer Cleaning

Heavy rains bring risk of flooded homes and basements

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009 by Debbie Smith

Flooded Street It’s a gray, rainy day in Cincinnati. The weather map shows heavy rain in parts of Texas, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee. It’s likely that rain will also hit other parts of the country.

Heavy rain accumulates quickly and often doesn’t absorb into the ground. The runoff can cause flooding in homes and basements. So, follow these simple tips to protect your property.

Ensure yard drains, culverts, downspouts and gutters are cleaned out, open and clear of debris so water is channeled away from the foundation.
Test floor drains in garages, bathrooms, basements and patios by pouring a gallon of water into them. If they don’t drain quickly, call a plumber.
If your home has a sump pump, pour a few buckets of water into the sump put pit to test operation. Call a plumber if the pump pit doesn’t empty.

If you experience flooding or any other plumbing or drain problem, you can rely on Roto-Rooter plumber Boston and plumber Salt Lake City and everywhere in between for fast, professional service. Roto-Rooter local plumbers and drain cleaners are only a call or click away for sewer repair, kitchen plumbing jobs, bathroom plumbing jobs or any 24 hour plumbing need.

Visit www.rotorooter.com/plumbing/ for more tips for homeowners.

Help with a Kitchen Sink Backup

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 by Ray Lee Master Plumbers

A Baltimore customer recently submitted the following sewer cleaning question:

My kitchen sink is backed up and there is standing water on both sides. When I run the dishwasher, water immediately begins to fill up the sink. Please help me with this problem!

These lines notoriously fill with grease, sludge and soap scum until they reduce the internal diameter of the drain and slow the water flow.

If your kitchen sink is still clogged after removing the trap, then you will have to have your branch line cleaned. When snaking the line inside the wall, make sure you are using the proper equipment. When cleaning drains, use cutting blades that are set to the inside diameter of the pipe. So to clear a 2-inch drain, you would need a pair of 2-inch blades.

Plumbing contractors are equipped to handle these types of sewer cleaning jobs. You can buy snaking kits at your local home improvement store, but you may be better off leaving this one one of your local plumbing companies.

Water Backs Up when Running my Washing Machine

Monday, May 18th, 2009 by Ray Lee Master Plumbers

When I do more than two loads of wash, water comes out by my toilet located on the other side of the house. If I wait 4 hours in between loads, there are no problems.

If water is backing up after a couple of loads, it probably means the backup is past the toilet and may be a clog in the main line. Your lines need cleared from a main line cleanout, which is a professional job for plumbing companies. Roto-Rooter can assist in this sewer cleaning. Call us at 1-866-960-7686) or schedule a service time online.

Water in Yard – A Natural Issue or Plumbing Problem ?

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 by Ray Lee Master Plumbers

We have natural ground water coming up in the front yard. We live in Baltimore. Who can we contact about our plumbing problems?

If you are sure it is natural ground water and not a septic tank or water service line that is causing the problem, you probably need to speak to your local department of natural resources.

If it is not natural water, contact your licensed plumbing specialists for a leak detection Baltimore Roto-Rooter can assist you with this plumbing service.

If it is natural, then you will have to look at installing a french drain leech line under the ground to collect the water and direct it away from the yard and out to the street's storm drain or drainage area.

A french drain is a tube that has perforations to allow the water to flow into the pipe. The outside is covered with a filter sock to prevent sand from entering and the whole pipe is encased in 3/4 inch pea gravel in a trench. A filter paper is installed on top of the gravel and your soil is reinstalled on top of the whole thing, so you can't see the drain when it is done.

Should you need help installing a french drain, Roto-Rooter can assist with the plumbing repair.

Busy times

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 by Paul Abrams

What a busy time it has been at Roto-Rooter. We're preparing some interesting and beneficial programs for 2009, which I'll discuss later as they are developed. Personally, I'm scheduled to travel a lot the the next few weeks to promote and discuss some of these programs with our franchises across the country.

On top of my busy schedule, rainy weather will continue to cause plumbing problems for many home owners and businesses. Sump pump replacements are common this time of year so keep an eye on yours to make sure it's functioning properly and keeping your basement dry.

Meanwhile, do your part to conserve water by checking for a leaky faucet Baltimore Branch replaced lots of them last year and any of our locations can repair or replace yours.

Do not ignore that basement sump pump

Monday, March 30th, 2009 by Paul Abrams

We worked with the Chicago Tribune on a story about sump pumps. It appeared in the Tribune yesterday (Sunday) edition and on line today: http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/home/chi-0329-five-sumpmar29,0,6063971.story
This is helpful information to anyone who depends on a sump pump to keep their basement dry, especially as the winter snow melts away and spring rains arrive. Sump pump failure strikes fear in homeowners and is one of the primary reasons we get after hours calls, as a 24 hour plumbing company.

Residential plumbing can be tricky and sump pumps in particular seem unfamiliar and mysterious to laymen. The steps laid out in the Tribune article are helpful for the do-it-yourselfer. If you don't feel confident doing this sort of maintenance yourself, that's why there are are professionals to do it for you.

One thing that wasn't mentioned in the article is that Roto-Rooter replaces more sump pumps in Chicago than in any other city in North America. The high water table and great number of basements is the reason.

Appliance Failure is Chief Cause of Damaging Floods

Friday, March 6th, 2009 by Paul Abrams

We often blame weather for the floods that damage homes but only 8% of household flood damage is caused by weather. 30% is caused by appliance failure and 62% is caused by plumbing failure. There are proven ways to protect your property. First and foremost, change out your old rubber washing machine hoses and replace them with braided stainless steel hoses. Anyone who knows anything about residential plumbing will tell you that.

Second, do the same thing for your ice maker line running to your refrigerator. If either of these supply lines fail when you're not home, you'll return to find your house turned into an indoor swimming pool. Other kitchen plumbing jobs or inspections you can do yourself include checking up on your dishwasher supply and drain lines from time to time. Look for leaks and don't ignore them.

Third, check on your sump pump at least once a month. If the sump pump fails and the spring rains come - as they always do, you'll pay a hefty price to the 24 hour plumbing company of your choice. There are lot of other things you should know to help you avoid an accidental flood caused by appliance failure. This news release from Roto-Rooter tells the whole story.

Everybody Loses When Sewer Pipes Leak

Friday, February 20th, 2009 by Paul Abrams

Nobody likes to get the bad news that their sewer line is broken and will need an expensive sewer repair. However, consider that when your sewer line is broken, it is probably leaking raw sewage into the ground and contaminating the water table. For that reason, we all lose.

Raw sewage is bad for the environment. Imagine that stuff getting into the fresh water supply. Plumbing services can be expensive when there is an excavation involved. Your sewer pipeline typically runs from your house, beneath the front yard into the city sewer main. The part of the pipe on your property is your responsibility, not the city's.

Local plumbing companies typically find the problem when cleaning a clogged drain. If the snake gets stuck in a pipe crack or pulls back with mud on it (indicating it exited the pipe and got into surrounding wet soil), technicians experienced in sewer cleaning know the signs. They'll do a video camera inspection to verify how extensive the breaks are, show you the video and present you with sewer repair options.

Inspect Sump Pumps Now

Friday, February 20th, 2009 by Paul Abrams

When the rains come, the snow melts and water seems to be everywhere, do your part to make sure some of that water doesn't end up in your basement. Inspect your sump pump!

It's one of the most common plumbing services during the spring, when rainfall and snow melt are at their peak. 24 Hour Plumbing companies like Roto-Rooter can get called out in the middle of the night when a sump pump fails and the homeowner is desperate for a quick resolution to this common residential plumbing job.

Pour a bucket of water into the sump pit. If your pump is operating properly, it will remove the water quickly then shut itself back off. You should hear the thump of the check valve when it has finished.

How Often Should I Have My Septic Tank Inspected?

Thursday, February 19th, 2009 by Ray Lee Master Plumbers

Septic tanks should be inspected and pumped a minimum of once every three to four years. You may not be experiencing any plumbing problems now, but a full septic tank may allow for unwanted solids to flow into the drain field, which is the part of the system that consists of a distribution box, with a series of connected pipes. Each pipe allows water to flow into a bed of stone that drains into the ground. If paper and other solids flow into the drain field, it becomes blocked and ineffective. A blocked drain field is costly to repair or replace.

If you need to find local plumbing companies, search the Internet for Roto-Rooter in your area by typing keywords with your metro city, for example " plumber Philadelphia ," "plumber Salt Lake City " We offer 24 hour plumbing, so we can schedule a time that's convenient for you.

Who Invented the Roto-Rooter?

Wednesday, February 18th, 2009 by Ray Lee Master Plumbers

Sameul L. Blanc

In 1933, businessman Samuel L. Blanc invented the first Roto-Rooter sewer cleaning machine from a 1/6 HP Maytag washing machine motor, roller skate wheels and 3/16" cable to turn the blades. The device could cut tree roots out of sewer lines without the need to dig. Samuel's wife, Lettie, named this machine the "Roto-Rooter."

Located on Euclid Avenue in Des Moines, the home where this sewer cleaning machine was invented is still there today. It was originally built as a school house in 1873. In about 1922, Samuel purchased the building and converted it to a home for his family. It remains a private residence today.

But the question remains, did Samuel invent the machine because the house had plumbing problems?

Why that broken pipe is YOUR problem

Friday, February 13th, 2009 by Paul Abrams

For the most part, sewer cleaning is a pretty standard process. But it is not without some risk. Occasionally, plumbing contractors break a pipe during cleaning, causing leaks and additional plumbing problems that may lead to an expensive plumbing repair. Often homeowners look at the plumber and say "you broke it, you're paying for this, not me." Guess again!

Here's why it's the home owner's responsibility and not the plumber's:
1. a pipe or sewer in decent condition and installed properly won't break during cleaning.
2. Old pipes or pipes installed without following plumbing codes can break when the snake passes through. If they break, they were pretty darn fragile in the first place.
3. What's to stop every homeowner with old or damaged pipes from inviting a drain cleaner to stop by for the sole purpose of getting a new drainage system installed for nothing?

As the homeowner, it is your responsibility to maintain your pipes, know when they're rusting out and not put harmful chemicals down there that will shorten their lifespan. If the pipes are in reasonable shape, they're in no danger during sewer cleaning service. If they break, they weren't going to last much longer anyway. Don't pretend it's the drain cleaner's fault.

We’ll Fix Any Leak…

Friday, February 6th, 2009 by Ray Lee Master Plumbers

I wanted to share feedback from a customer who sees our billboard every day on their route home from work. It’s one of my favorite of our plumbing repair billboards.

You have a billboard on 1-71 that I pass everyday. So that is what made us contact you. We had service in early January for a sewer cleaning and replacement. The three St. Louis plumbers that came out were absolutely fabulous. They were so kind and efficient. They let us watch and let us know what they were doing as the day proceeded. We even saw the video after they cleared those nasty tree roots and replaced the pipes. Thank you.

The St. Louis plumbers of Roto-Rooter are trained licensed plumbing specialists that can fix all types of plumbing problems. We offer St. Louis plumbing assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us anytime at 1-800-GET-ROTO to speak with a representative.

How professionals do a sewer cleaning job

Friday, February 6th, 2009 by Paul Abrams

When the Roto-Rooter man tells you your sewer pipe is clogged with tree roots and you need a sewer cleaning, what exactly does he do? Usually he will begin by feeding a small cable with a sharp blade on the end to bore through the clog and allow it to drain. Next, he will use a larger cable machine with a 4-inch or 6-inch c-shaped blade on the end. The blades are spring loaded and are gently squeezed so they fit into the pipe. Once inside, they spring outward and hug the pipe wall.

When the machine turns on, the blades spin and shave the pipe walls of all debris and roots that have penetrated the sewer pipe at the pipe joints or through cracks. The old Roto-Rooter ads bragged of shaving your pipes "Razor-Kleen." Sewer cleaning can be time consuming and tedious but it's very effective and will keep roots at bay for about a year in most cases.

If the plumber pulls out the cable and notices mud on it, that indicates a serious break in the pipe. The technician will suggest a video inspection using a remotely operated camera. He will show you the condition of the pipe live on a TV monitor and present you with sewer repair options and estimates.

How we clean your sewer

Friday, February 6th, 2009 by Paul Abrams

When the Roto-Rooter man tells you there are tree roots in your mainline and you need a sewer cleaning, what exactly does he do? First, if the pipe is clogged and filled with water, he will use a compact cable snake with a sharp cutting blade on the tip to punch a hole through the clog and allow the pipe to drain into the city sewer or your septic tank.

Once drainage is restored, he will switch to a Roto-Rooter mainline cable machine, usually with a larger blade on the tip. The blades are in a C-shape and are spring loaded so that they have to be gently squeezed before

they fit into the 4-inch or 6-inch pipe. This way, they hug the inside pipe walls and shave across the surface as they turn. The cable rotates and sharp saw-tooth blades cut away tree roots and any other obstructions all the way down to the pipe wall..."Razor-Kleen" as our old ads claimed. We have blades and cables to fit any size pipe.

If the cable comes out with mud on it, you probably have a serious break in the pipe someplace and may require a sewer repair. The service technician will offer to inspect the pipe with a remotely operated video camera, show you the pipe's condition and provide you with sewer repair options.

How Old is Your House?

Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 by Ray Lee Master Plumbers

Most sewer lines installed in the early part of the century were made from clay or cast iron, before research and development helped us understand the best materials to use for residential plumbing.

Clay piping was used until the 1960’s, which was supplemented during World War II with cast iron and Orangeburg.

About 70% of all homes built before World War II need major repair of replacement of their sewer lines. And homes between 50 and 70 years old will have to repair or replace their main sewer line.

There are several options:
• Annual sewer cleaning
• Pipe Relining
• Pipe Replacement

Damaged Pipe in need of Repair The cost to reline or replace is expensive, but the annual cost of the sewer cleaning and/or additional plumbing problems can add up. It’s best to have a professional St. Paul plumber camera the line. That way you will know exactly where the issues are and you can begin saving for the costly sewer repair.

If you have any questions St. Paul plumbing questions, one of our Master Plumbers will be happy to assist you.

So glad I winterized my plumbing

Friday, January 30th, 2009 by Paul Abrams

This has been a cold new year in the Midwest. Temperatures have dropped below zero several times and some days we haven't climbed out of the teens. Wind chill, which is a primary factor in freezing pipes has been dreadful. I am so glad I winterized my plumbing back in early November. The frigid weather has been a boon for local plumbing companies which have been otherwise slow since the sewer cleaning rush around the holidays.

A couple of days ago, I snapped this picture of the hose bib on the back of my house. Note that there is no hose attached and the faucet is protected by a snow-covered insulation kit. That little kit probably cost me four bucks five years ago. Sure beats spending hundreds to pay a Cincinnati plumber several hundred dollars to repair a burst pipe. These kits work! My residential plumbing has given me no problems and I've required not a single plumbing repair.

Happy New Year

Friday, January 2nd, 2009 by Paul Abrams

2009 is here and Roto-Rooter has produced its annual list of Top 5 Strangest Items Recovered from Drainpipes over the past year. As North America's largest provider of plumbing and drain cleaning services, Roto-Rooter has more than 4000 plumbing technicians from Boston to Austin and everywhere in between. Lots of plumbing companies probably find strange items but I doubt they find the wide variety of things we find every year.

Bud the cat awaiting rescue in Harrisburg Our list includes a 4-carat diamond ring recovered by a Cincinnati plumber in April. He had to dig up the basement floor to reach the pipe after locating it with a fiber-optic sewer inspection camera normally used for sewer repair work. The list also included two cats. The first was a Maine Coon kitty in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on April 26th. The second was a kitten rescued by a Columbus, Ohio plumber on June 19th. That kitten was suctioned out using a low power setting on a pumper truck normally used for cleaning out septic tanks and grease traps. But the cat wasn't actually sucked through the hosed. The service tech used a small hose in tandem with a sewer inspection camera to suction the little cat's hind quarter to the mouth of the hose just long enough to drag him out of the pipe Bart Mathis with a 94-foot root pulled from a pipe unharmed.

The list also includes an amazing 94-foot long tree root extracted from a pipe by Bart Mathis, a Roto-Rooter Contractor from Sarasota, Florida. Bart made the list a few years ago for rescuing Zap, a tiny kitten from an underground conduit pipe. That 94-foot long root may be the longest on record for any of the plumbing contractors I'm aware of. That may also be the most effective sewer cleaning job ever completed. Finally, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, one of our licensed plumbing specialists pulled out a series of children's' toys that were responsible for a mysterious clog. The toys included a bowling pin and steering wheel. Here's the news release if you want to learn more about our Top 5 list of strangest drainpipe recoveries of 2008.

My Toilet Backs Up after Running my Washing Machine

Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008 by Ray Lee Master Plumbers

When I do more than two loads of wash, water comes out by my toilet located on the other side of the house. If I wait 4 hours in between loads, there are no problems.

If water is backing up after a couple of loads, it probably means the backup is past the toilet and may be a clog in the main line. Your lines need cleared from a main line cleanout, which is a professional job for plumbing companies. Roto-Rooter can assist in this sewer cleaning. Call us at 1-800-GET-ROTO (1-800-438-7686) or schedule a service time online.

24 Hour Post

Thursday, December 18th, 2008 by Paul Abrams

Lots of businesses say they operate 24/7. Lots of plumbers claim to be 24 hour plumbing companies. But then when you call them outside of normal business hours you get an answering service or worse, an answering machine. Who knows how long it will take them to call you back? When you're dealing with a burst pipe that froze last night or a broken sump pump and the water is rising, you don't want to wait for someone to call you back. You want to schedule a service technician right away.

At Roto-Rooter we know that when you call us with an emergency, you feel like you're dialing 911 for help ASAP. That's why we are a true 24 hour plumbing company. When you call a Roto-Rooter Services Company Branch, you'll reach a customer service representative at one of our call centers who will schedule service for you on the spot.

The true test to plumbing contractors who claim to be available 24/7 is when you call them on a holiday. Take Christmas for example. Honestly, you wouldn't expect to find any plumbing repair company answering their phone on Christmas morning would you? We don't like having to tell any of our plumbers that they have to work on Christmas but we always staff our offices to handle the expected number of calls, even on Christmas because nobody can predict when sink plumbing will fail or when a sewer repair will be needed. Call 1-800-GET-ROTO when you need us, any hour of any day.