drain cleaning

For many homeowners, when it comes to home maintenance, there is nothing glamorous about drainage systems and sewer lines. However, they are an important aspect that keeps a property in excellent shape. With time, these systems usually collect different types of junk, such as leaves, soap scum, grease, and others. Left unchecked, it can cause unpleasant odors, slow drains, or blockage. However, with pressure washing and the right tools, you can quickly keep your drainage systems and sewer lines clean and functional.

Why pressure washing

Pressure washing isn’t just for cleaning your patios or driveways. It is an excellent method for cleaning drains and sewer lines because it utilizes high-pressure water to remove stubborn debris and grime. Unlike chemical cleaners or snaking, pressure washing can wash the inner pipes clean and restore their full capacity. Additionally, it is also eco-friendly when used with biodegradable detergents or plain water.

What do you need?

Before embarking on the pressure washing cleaning process, these tools are the essentials that you will need:

• A pressure washer of at least 3,000 PSI with a flow rate of 4 gallons per minute.
• Sewer jetting attachment is a unique tool that is made to clean sewer lines and pipes.
• Protective gear such as waterproof boots, safety goggles, and gloves are crucial. You do not want any surprises.
• Access to a drain opening or sewer line cleanout port.

Tips to succeed

To ensure the cleaning process is a success, the following are some tips to help guide you.

• Fragile or older pipes might not be capable of withstanding high-pressure washing. You must proceed with caution to avoid damages or consult with a professional
• Use the right nozzle. Sewer jetting nozzles usually come in different configurations and sizes. For a better result, ensure you choose one that matches the diameter of your pipes.
• When dealing with grease buildup, it is best to opt for a biodegradable degreaser before pressure washing. This can help you break down the residue.
• Always perform regular maintenance. You should not wait for a clog to occur. Periodic pressure washing ensures your drains and sewer lines are in top shape and saves you costly repairs.

Mistakes to avoid

• Always inspect the areas and remove loose debris before pressure washing. You might risk pushing the mess further into the system if you don’t do so.
• High-pressure washing is quite powerful and can damage pipes when used excessively. Stick to moderate settings unless absolutely required.
• Sewer lines can harbor bacteria, and high-pressure water can cause injuries when mishandled.

Calling the professionals

Though pressure washing is effective for minor blockages and regular maintenance, there are instances when a professional touch is needed. When dealing with tree root inclusion, recurring clogs, or complete sewer line backup, it is crucial you call a licensed plumber with specialized equipment.

Endnote

Cleaning your drainage systems and sewer lines is an essential chore and with a pressure washer and the right approach, you can handle buildup and clogs. Remember to keep these tips in mind when embarking on a pressure washing cleaning process.

Several years ago, my wife and I were driving to Washington DC and saw scores of bucket trucks heading south on I-95. A category 4 hurricane was ravaging the Florida coast at that very moment, and thousands of contractors with their drain cleaning tools and machines were heading south towards the affected areas, ready to participate in the clean-up and recovery. Over the past several decades, that same scenario has played out in a similar fashion, more times than we wish to remember, and if the weather channel is correct in its predictions, it will not be slowing down anytime soon.

Disaster cleanup and recovery has become a specialty within the trades. Contractors trained in the use of bucket trucks (often referred to as cherry pickers), chainsaws, backhoes, pressure washers, and drain cleaning machines have begun arriving at disaster sites even before the local population emerges from their shelters. The reason for this, of course, is money. It is not unusual for insurance companies, along with local state and federal governments, to pour billions of dollars into recovery efforts after a disaster. Just this year, there have already been a total of eight weather events in the US that created over a Billion dollars in damage. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the federal government alone spent more than 120 billion in emergency relief. With money like that making its way to the ground, contractors all over the country have taken notice.

Most of the activity around disaster cleanup and recovery is straightforward and predictable. After a hurricane, tornado, or flood, there is major damage to buildings and infrastructure that must first be demolished and then rebuilt. Roofs, utility wires, and poles must be repaired and replaced. Downed trees must be cut up and removed. And perhaps most importantly, potable water service and sewage lines must be brought back into operation.

Restoring normal plumbing after a flood, hurricane, or tornado can be more difficult than expected because of the large amount of mud and debris that finds its way into the sanitary sewer system. We’ve all seen contractors and property owners pressure washing mud and debris off affected areas after a disaster, but we seldom think about where all that muddy water is going. Most of it goes down an existing drain. When sewer and drain systems are built, plumbers make assumptions about the volume of liquid the pipes will be required to transport. The most popular rule of thumb that I’ve heard is that the main drain emptying wastewater from a building should be able to accommodate all the possible water that could exit the building at one time. In other words, if you turned on all the water faucets and flushed all the toilets at once, the main drain should only fill up to two thirds of its diameter. Fortunately, plumbers routinely over engineer sewage systems to avoid wastewater spillage. Since this logic applies to all drains, from the smallest to the largest, there usually isn’t much danger that workers with pressure washers will overwhelm the sewage system capacity to handle liquid. However, flood waters are another story, and it is not uncommon for sewage systems to suffer considerable damage during a natural disaster. This damage can open the door for debris clogs and root incursions that can render the system inoperable.

Another huge problem is the enormous quantity of mud that enters the waste removal system immediately after a flood. Some of the mud enters the system during the flood, and almost as much is washed down the nearest drain by the cleanup crew. If all the soil that is suspended in the mud reached the sewage treatment plant, that would be a problem in itself…but of course, it doesn’t. As the muddy water travels down the drainpipe, the soil slowly falls out of suspension and begins to fill up all the available space. Eventually, it can choke the drain completely so that liquids cannot pass, or at the very least give invading roots all the food and water they need to thrive. In either case, the drainpipe will be out of commission.

At that point, the services of a plumber or professional drain cleaner will be needed. Local drain cleaning activity skyrockets after a natural disaster, as does the need for our drain cleaning machines. Not just snake style machines, but high-pressure water jetters, inspection and location equipment, and flexible shaft devices. All these machines, from brands like General Pipe Cleaners, have slightly different functions and benefits, and all will be crucial tools in the affected area’s recovery. In fact, plumbers would argue that repairing the drain system is the most important piece of the disaster cleanup process.

As our ancestors discovered thousands of years ago, human beings cannot live in close proximity without fresh water and waste disposal. Both are necessary, and to a large extent, a plumber’s most important job is to keep fresh water and waste separated from each other. After a natural disaster, one of FEMAs main concerns is the possibility of cholera, because of the presence of human waste in flood waters and debris. Until the drains are open and functional, people cannot move back into their homes, and the area cannot be considered safe. Life as we know it cannot return to normal without a functional sewage system, and this system is maintained by drain cleaning equipment from reputable manufacturers. In the aftermath of a natural disaster, we notice increased demand for all types of drain cleaning machines. Cable or snake style machines are used to cut through hard blockages like debris, roots, and hardened mud. High-pressure water jetters can initially be used to dissolve and remove mud blockages, and then to clean the inside of the pipes to facilitate inspection by pipe inspection camera systems. These same pipe inspection and location systems can pinpoint damage to the pipes, where they’re crushed or displaced, so that repair work can commence. Flexible shaft machines are a new and versatile addition to the plumber’s toolbox and will likely be very useful in many disaster recovery operations.

Several machines, like those provided by General Pipe Cleaners, can be used in the same drain cleaning job. A cable machine or snake style machine is often employed first to create an initial opening in a drain clog caused by mud or debris. Following this, high-pressure jetters and flexible shaft devices come into play to comprehensively clear the obstruction. Camera systems, another vital drain cleaning tool, are often introduced into the drain line in conjunction with jetters or flexible shaft machines. This allows professionals to perform ‘surgical strikes’ on blockages that lie deep within the pipe. Given the wide variety of damage that can be inflicted upon sanitary sewage systems during a natural disaster, contractors must have every available tool and piece of equipment at their disposal to complete this critical job. The right machine can make all the difference when dealing with tough clogs and obstructions in a drain line.

The best way to prepare for a disaster is to have the right tools on hand before the storm hits. In the aftermath of a disaster, demand will be very high and supply will be limited. As we’ve seen over the past several years, it’s not a question of if there will be another disaster, but when. Given the scope and impact of recent weather events, this latest storm season has contractors, insurance adjusters, and emergency services workers on high alert.

After all, life as we know it cannot return to normal without a functional drain system, and we are proud to know that our equipment is instrumental in performing this ‘most important piece’ of the disaster recovery process.

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Having a home is one of the most rewarding things, but it becomes a frustrating experience when plumbing problems occur. The more you know the better, since that can save time and money — not to mention keep your little few strands of hair in.

Plumbing can seem like a complicated system, and rightly so as we never see the full scope of piping behind our walls. However, learning some basics helps prevent big problems from popping up out of nowhere while also being able to address smaller issues independently.

Here are 10 Important Plumbing Tips Every Homeowner Should Know:

1. Know the Location of Your Water Meter and Main Shut Off Valve

Location of shut-off One of the most important details that any homeowner needs to know is where your manual main water turn-off valve is. A burst pipe can occur unexpectedly, and shutting off the water supply fast is vital to reducing damage in your home.

2. Understand How Your Water Heater Works

The best setting for most water heaters is 120°F or roughly the Low-Medium setting on gas. This temperature can keep scalding at bay while still offering energy-efficient heat from your unit. Periodically monitor the temperature of your water heater, and flush it annually to eliminate accumulation sediment for efficiency purposes and extended lifespan.

3. Don’t Treat Your Drains Like a Trash Can

Do not flush anything other than toilet paper and human waste. Specifically, wipes, paper towels, and feminine hygiene products should not make it into your pipes as they cause sewer backups. In addition, never pour grease on the drain of your kitchen because it hardens and adheres to piping creating very serious blockages.

4. Use Drain Strainers

Placing strainers in your kitchen and bathroom sinks will block hair, food particles, and other debris from entering the drain- as prevention is key. It is essential to routinely clean these filters for optimal water flow.

5. Fix Leaks Promptly

But a slow drip could waste gallons of water from your pipes over weeks or months, and it can make your utility bills grow. The leaks can also cause water damage and mold. Repair a leaking faucet or pipe quickly and call in expert help if you need it.

6. Know the Signs of Hard Water

Mineral buildup can cause clogging in your pipes, reduce the efficiency of water heaters, and damage appliances if you live in a hard water area. Hard Water Hard water will leave soap scum on shower doors, no shine to dishes, and dry skin. ~ via Dmarie1031 A water softener can help you avoid the buildup of mineral deposits, which gives them a longer shelf life.

7. How To Safely Unclog a Toilet

Most people will find a plunger useful when clearing a blocked toilet. When using a plunger, fill the bowl with enough water to cover its rubber part and apply moderate pressure in an even push-pull motion. If this doesn’t solve the problem, avoid using chemical drain cleaners as they can harm your pipes; choose a snake or call in a plumber when needed.

8. Check Exposed Pipes for Wear

If you have any exposed pipes in basements, crawl spaces, or under sinks check them for preliminary signs of corrosion around leaks. Check on them periodically and if you notice any rusting, cracking, or leaking chances are high that an issue is about to develop indefinitely- Fix it right away! Dealing with these problems early on can help prevent significant water damage.

9. Insulate Pipes in Cold Weather

In cold climates, it is important to insulate your pipes to prevent freezing and bursting during winter. Cover exposed pipes in areas like basements, attics, and garages with foam pipe insulation. Additionally, in extremely cold weather, you may want to keep faucets dripping slowly to maintain water flow and minimize the risk of freezing.

10. Know When to Call a Professional

Knowing when to seek professional help is crucial in plumbing situations. While some issues can be resolved independently, others require the expertise of a licensed plumber. If you encounter recurring clogs, or water heater malfunctions, or suspect a main sewer line blockage, it is advisable to contact a professional.(no follow link) Attempting complicated repairs without adequate knowledge can exacerbate problems and result in higher costs.