My drains or sewer line are backed up! What do I do now about this sewer back up? We’re asked this question a lot. We’re happy to help our customers figure out the best solution for a backed up sewer or clogged drain. First, let’s discuss some common causes for a backed up sewer drain. These can include:
Sewer Back Up Causes:
- Foreign Objects
- Fats, Oils & Grease
- Roots
- Scale
FOREIGN OBJECTS:
While keeping foreign objects out of the sewer drains are obvious, this is a common problem, and compounded with grease, roots and scale, may require additional remediation.
GREASE:
If no other defects exist in the sewer line and grease traps, a dosing with biological products that eat fats, oils and grease will solve the problem.
Descale Cast Iron Sewer Lines Before They Become Clogged by GreaseROOTS:
Roots grow through leaky joints, and cracked pipe joints. As the roots are removed, they grow back bigger. Roots can be removed by cleaning until the pipe eventually collapses and a new pipe needs to be installed.
SCALE:
Cast iron pipe found in many buildings will scale up overtime. Mechanical removal will remove and open these clogged pipes.
What To Do for Drain and Sewer Back-Ups
Now, onto what you can do about these problems. Here are some non-invasive, or minimally invasive remediation solutions.
Non-Invasive or Minimally Invasive Remediation
DRAIN CLEANING:
Drain cleaning works fine for the simplest of clogs. A sewer snake, or a plumber’s augur, will mechanically clear a line, allowing waste to flow through the sewer pipe. It’s fast, cheap, and easy, but doesn’t solve a lot of common problems. If drain cleaning doesn’t clear the line, additional forms of remediation will likely be necessary.
HYDRO JETTING:
Hydro jetting is similar to conventional drain cleaning, but with the added power of 4,000 PSI of water pressure, specialized heads that make short work of sludge, roots, and scale. Hydro jetting scours pipes clean, and provides unparalleled maintenance of a sewer line. Staying ahead of clogs and back ups with regular, yearly hydro jetting of your sewer main line will usually be enough to ensure drains and sewers flow smoothly for the life of your sewer line. However, hydro jetting won’t solve defects or deterioration of a sewer line. Eventually, a sewer line will need to be replaced, especially if roots are a common cause of clogs.
CIPP LINING:
CIPP lining allows the installer to install through a single pit or clean-out all the way to the sewer main in the street without excavating a second pit at the main. Resin is mixed, inserted through saturation into a tube and launched into the existing pipe where it is inflated and held till cured leaving a new pipe inside the old one.
AIPPR COATING:
When smaller diameter pipe has tie-ins from other piping, this method applies poly urea to the wall of the existing pipe building a composite with the existing pipe to a fully habilitated better than new pipe.
PIPE BURSTING:
Pipe bursting may be used to replace existing pipe with HDPE pipe. Two pits are opened, and HDPE pipe is pulled following the alignment of the old pipe.
We’re Here to Help
Are you curious about what sewer back up solution is best for your needs? This is what we do. Feel free to contact us, and we’ll be more than happy to evaluate and advise.
We’re happy to help you consider your options!
Call Us Anytime At: 626.448.6455
FREE ESTIMATES AVAILABLE
