Sewage Archives - Bert Norman's Plumbing

A Plumber Explains The Importance Of A Sewer Cleanout | Callahan, FL

Posted on March 28, 2023March 30, 2023 by Bert Norman

Most homeowners don’t often think about their home’s sewer system, but it’s an important part of the house that should not be overlooked. When this system isn’t taken care of properly and drains become clogged or backed up, it can cause a headache for you as a homeowner, but it can also result in costly damage to your home if left untreated. A key component of sewer maintenance is regularly inspecting the system’s cleanouts, which are strategically-placed access points that provide plumbers access to restricted sewage systems within the drains below. This blog post will examine in detail what makes a sewer cleanout important.

What is a Sewer Cleanout?

A sewer cleanout is a pipe fitting typically made of plastic or cast iron with a removable plug or cap at one end. These fittings are usually installed on the main sewer line leading away from your home or at the junction between the building and the public sewer mains. The purpose of cleanouts is to make it easier for plumbers to have access to the drain pipes when needed. Through sewer cleanouts, plumbing technicians can inspect the pipes for blockages or other issues without tearing up flooring or digging a large trench to gain access to the line.

Types of Sewer Cleanouts

Interior Sewer Cleanouts

Interior sewer cleanouts are located near the foundation walls within a home. Depending on how your home’s plumbing system is structured, they can be either floor or wall mounted. Usually, interior cleanouts are built with a PVC cap with a threaded end that can be unscrewed using a pipe wrench or other tool.

Exterior Cleanouts

Exterior cleanouts are those located outside of the premises. These can be found near sidewalks, roadsides, or front yards, providing access to the main sewer line without entering a house or building. These cleanouts often have a long stem that extends out of the ground, allowing it to remain accessible even when buried under dirt or debris. While exterior cleanouts can be useful for clearing away blockages from outside the property, they require additional excavation work during installation since it is necessary for them to be placed underground.

Why Are Properly Functioning Sewer Cleanouts Important?

Easier Handling Of Emergency Repairs

A properly functioning sewer cleanout in your home can make a huge difference when an emergency repair is needed. When emergencies in your sewer line arise, prompt attention is key to prevent further damage and costly repairs. For example, if you have a blockage in your main sewer line, the plumber must quickly access the drain pipe. Failure to take quick action can cause the blockage to worsen and lead to backups, flooding, and potentially hazardous waste spilling into your home.

If there is no cleanout, the plumber would have to dig up a large section of your yard to reach the blocked pipes. This would take far longer and be much more costly than simply accessing the line from an existing cleanout. Besides, with strategically-placed cleanouts, the plumber doesn’t have to guess where the pipes are located as they will be visible, further simplifying the repair process. Therefore, if you don’t have a sewer cleanout in place, have one installed today.

Prevents Damage To Your Yard During Repairs

A properly functioning sewer cleanout can also help prevent damage to your yard during plumbing repairs. With an existing cleanout, plumbers can quickly access the pipes and clear out any blockages or other issues without digging up large sections of your property. This saves you time and money on repairs and ensures your yard stays in good condition. You won’t have to worry about having a giant trench in your yard after the plumber is done with repair or maintenance services.

FAQs About Sewer Cleanouts

How Often Should I Check My Sewer Cleanouts?

It is recommended to check your sewer cleanouts regularly to ensure they function properly. If you notice any cracks, corrosion, or other signs of damage to the cleanout plug or cap, it’s best to call a professional plumber for help immediately.

How Much Does It Cost To Have A Sewer Cleanout Installed?

The cost of installing a sewer cleanout depends on various factors, such as the type of material used and its location. When you hire a plumbing professional for this job, they will give you the exact installation cost.

Do Sewer Cleanouts Require Regular Maintenance?

Yes, sewer cleanouts require regular maintenance to ensure they’re functioning properly. This includes checking for signs of damage or corrosion and ensuring the cap is sealed securely to prevent potential problems. You should also clear any debris or dirt accumulated around the cleanout. It’s also recommended to have a professional plumber inspect the sewer cleanout annually to ensure everything is in working order.

When Should I Replace My Sewer Cleanout?

If you notice any signs of damage or corrosion to the cleanout, it’s best to have a plumbing professional inspect it as soon as possible. Depending on their assessment, they may recommend replacing the cleanout.

Sewer cleanouts play an important role in keeping your drainage system functioning properly. Whether you need interior or exterior sewer cleanouts installed for your property, hiring a qualified plumbing contractor who can inspect your system regularly and perform necessary repairs or maintenance as needed is essential. Properly maintained sewer systems will help prevent costly repairs while ensuring your drainage system works smoothly year-round.

We Are The Plumbing Experts You Should Call

If you are looking for an experienced plumbing professional to install a sewer cleanout on your property, don’t hesitate to contact us at Bert Norman’s Plumbing. We have the expertise and experience to help you install, maintain, and repair sewer cleanouts providing excellent services throughout the process. We also offer other plumbing services, including water heater repairs, pipe repairs, and more. Call us today to schedule a service.

See our most recent blog on this topic here.

Photo By Robin Gentry at iStock

5 Reasons You Need A Plumber | Jacksonville, FL

Posted on January 21, 2023January 23, 2023 by Bert Norman

There are some house tasks that you can take care of on your own and some tasks that are better left to the professionals. When it comes to any plumbing issues, it is almost always better to consult first with a plumber. Plumbing tasks come with the added stress of potential water damage, so they are not something that should be taken lightly. Not to mention the cost of wasting water and how quickly a simple leak or running toilet can add up and make your utility bills unexpectedly high.

As mentioned, the problem with plumbing issues in your Jacksonville, FL, home is the risk of flood damage. It doesn’t take too much water to cause dry rot or other issues with your flooring, walls, or ceiling. Even worse, you could have hidden water damage that you cannot see now but is associated with the small leak you just spotted. A plumber knows where there is one leak, there is often another, especially if pressure irregularities or aging are to blame.

That is unfortunately not the end of the story, however, because water causes more than just damage to your home. It also creates the right environment for mildew and mold to form. In fact, it only takes a few drops of water for mildew to start to grow, and if the leak is in a dark, damp environment, as most leaks are since they are under sinks or inside of walls and floors, then you can have a mold outbreak growing under your nose. Not only is mold stinky, but it is a health issue and an allergen for many people, which is just one more reason why you need to call a plumber out to your Jacksonville, FL home if you think that you have a plumbing issue.

With that in mind, the first step is figuring out when you need a plumber, which doesn’t have to be a hard task if you know what you are looking for. The following list is a quick list of the top times you need to call a plumbing company. If you see any of these things occurring in your home, go ahead and call a plumber so you can get it figured out before you end up needing an emergency plumbing service. It is always better to deal with a plumbing issue when it is just a small nuisance versus a much larger one. While it is not a complete list, it does manage to hit some of the biggest issues you will probably hit.

Water Heater Issues (No Hot Water)

The number one way that people figure out their water heater needs attention is because they lose their hot water. 9 out of 10 times, if you don’t have any hot water, it is because your water heater needs to be repaired. You don’t have to wait until your water heater dies, however, note that it could need to be repaired and other signs occur before the water stops heating. For instance, if you notice pressure issues or that the water temperature of your hot water seems to fluctuate on a regular basis, this is a sign that something is going on with your water heater. Usually, it indicates that there is sediment building up, which you will have to address at some point.

Leaks

Another obvious issue that indicates you need to call a plumber if you notice any leak anywhere in your home. You might seek leaks under a faucet, around the toilet, at the water heater, and in dozens of other areas around your home. If water runs through an area, then there is always a risk that there could be a leak there. Regardless of where you note the leak, there is nothing that should be leaking. Ignoring a faucet leak can cost you hundreds of dollars a year, and ignoring a leak under a sink can lead to floor damage. In short, if you see a leak, you always need to call for help.

Clogs in Drains

Another issue that requires immediate attention is a clog in any of your drains, and keep in mind that a toilet clog counts. There are several different reasons why you might have clogs in your drains, from tree roots that obstruct your sewage lines to improper sewage habits like using flushable wipes or dropping water-soluble things down your drain. Whatever the reason, a plumber can get to the bottom of it and get your drains flowing regularly again.

Sewage Smells

There are two reasons why you might smell sewage in your home, and neither are great situations. The first is if you have a partial blockage and the methane gas is coming back up your pipes. This is why some drains may smell like sewage when you walk by. The other is because you actually have a sewage backup in your floor drain, which can be a very unwelcome discovery. In both scenarios, you will need a plumbing company to help resolve the issue.

Appliance Installation

A lot of people don’t think about calling a plumber when they purchase a new appliance, but there are actually a fair amount of appliances that need to be hooked up to your plumbing system. Refrigerators with ice machines, garbage disposals, water heaters, and dishwashers must be hooked to the main plumbing line. Depending on where you place these items, a new plumbing outlet might even need to be established. Therefore, this is a great task to call a plumber for assistance with so you can ensure everything is done correctly and there won’t be a leak hiding behind the installed appliance.

If you are searching for a plumbing company in Jacksonville, FL, contact Bert Norman’s Plumbing and we will help you fix any issue promptly.

Photo By: brazzo at iStock

5 Signs You Should Call for Drain Cleaning Service | Jacksonville, FL

Posted on September 7, 2019 by bertnorman

None of us normally think about the drains of our house until we run into a problem. We don’t mean to scare you but let’s be honest; there are many, many things that can go wrong with your drains. Whether it’s due to a rusty pipe, hard water resulting in mineral deposits in the plug of the drain or food waste, or hair or soap blocking the drain pipes, there are a number of common plumbing problems that can occur any time.

We’ve listed down five instances when you should call a professional drain cleaning service in the Jacksonville, FL area.

When You’re Facing Slow Drainage Problems

All of us are aware of slow drainage issues and have at least once in our lives dealt with little sink clogs. Slow drainage often indicates that the drain will clear our eventually but is unable to keep pace with the flow of water. When the water tends to build up like it does when it’s clogged and then gradually goes downs the drain, this is called slow drainage. This indicates that there might be a partial blockage in the pipeline and that you need to call a plumber for drain cleaning. If the drain is left unattended, it would eventually get blocked completely. A partially blocked pipe won’t get treated on its own. It’s a good idea to call a plumbing service and take quick action as it would be easier to cure and cost you much less now that it will later.

When You Hear Gurgling Sounds From the Drain

It’s common to hear sounds of water running down the drain. However, you’re not supposed to hear gurgling sounds when the water drains or after the water has run down the sink. In case you notice distant gurgling noises, especially when it comes along with slow drainage issues when the water pressure is high, you should contact a plumbing service immediately.

This might be the result of air in the drains, which means that a drain cleaningis due. Like in the case of a partially blocked pipe, it’s always good to act early on, than wait for it to develop into a bigger problem.

When Your Drain Keeps Clogging Constantly

Usually homes go through around one to five drain clogs each year. Most of the times, they occur due to normal usage and doesn’t indicate a serious issue. But if you’ve to face a clogged drain multiple times in a week, then raising concerns regarding it is justified. You might be facing a deeper systemic issue, and maybe dealing with structural pipe defects.

It’s possible that there’s one big clog deep in the drains that you’re unable to reach, that’s resulting in multiple smaller clogs. Usually old homes tend to have old rusting pipes that are prone to clogging. Multiple or recurrent clogs at your place is something you should pay close attention to, as they might suggest a main sewage clog, or a serious problem with broken pipes in the sewage system. A drain cleaning service can help you out of this situation, as they’re trained and better equipped to handle these issues.

When You Notice Sewage Smells from the Drain

Sewer smells coming up out from the drains is a red flag for you. The sewage smells filling your place is usually due to three main reasons

Dormant Sewage Water Accumulation in the Pipes

It can happen that the dirty water that was meant to get washed away might be backing up instead. Stagnant sewer water lying in the pipeline would result in sewage smells. In general, the drainage system makes sure that the smells are taken away when the waste water and its contents flow down the drain. When the drains start backing up and holds stagnant waste water, the sewer smell indicates that you should call for a drain cleaning plumberand let them handle the situation for you.

Loose or Missing Caps or Plugs of the Drain Pipe

In case the caps or plugs of the drain line are not tightened up properly, it could cause the sewer to smell. Loosely fitted caps or plugs on a trap or clean-out would let out sewage gasses in the air. These sewage trap caps and plugs won’t cost you a hefty amount, so let a drain cleaning plumberhelp you get rid of that filthy smell.

Dried Out Sewage Trap or Drain Trap

The most unlikely reason for a sewage smell is when there’s a lightly used plumbing fixture anywhere in the building. The dried out trap might lose its water barrier, which allows sewage gasses to get through. Luckily, this problem can be solved easily on your own. Just pour a little water in the dried out drain or trap so that the water barrier falls back in its place. If that doesn’t work, call a plumber to sort it out.

When the Drains Start Backing Up

The worst thing that you’d have to face when it comes to plumbing is backed up drains. Unfortunately, it isn’t always clean slightly-used water that backs up the drains. When the drains start to back up, you might see a pool of water forming around the drain. As a result of a bad clog it would gradually try to push water back up in the drain.

Running your taps won’t be of any help as that water wouldn’t drain either. Keep in mind that water seeks its own level. That means that low lying drains might not be actually clogged but would have water back out of them first. The only way to deal with this situation is to let a professional plumber for drain cleaning in the Jacksonville, FL area handle it.

Conclusion

When you’re faced with any of these situations, you contact Bert Norman’s Plumbing in the Jacksonville, FL area tohelp fix the problem. Bert Norman’s Plumbing is one of the best drain cleaning services in the Jacksonville, FL area. We’ve trained professionals who are available for services 24/7. Contact us at (904) 225-5888.

Category: Sewage