Jul
7
We all have the need to call a plumber at one point or another. In many cases calling a plumber means the sink or toilet are plugged and fixing the problem is relatively simple. However, not all problems are simple and clear cut. There are large, labor intensive problems that pop up and require a full service plumber immediately.
Such is the case with sewer services. A simple back up of a toilet or downstairs drain quickly escalates into a huge problem.
Sewer lines can be blocked by a variety of things. Plumbers are best known to “snake” the line by inserting a long flexible wire into the pipes until the obstruction is removed. But it doesn’t stop there. Plumbers also use closed circuit cameras as a routine part of their business, and no longer have to guess where the problem is – they can pinpoint its exact location. They can identify blocks in the sewer lines deep below city streets and driveways, or beneath your overgrown landscaping without having to dig or drill.
Plumbers also install and repair equipment related to the sewer system. Have a new construction project under way? Consult with a plumber to get the sewer system installed during the process. Have a home reconstruction? A plumber can help there too, and provide advice on the most effective way to install top-notch plumbing materials.
Have an older home? A plumber can help keep it in top working condition. A plumber will start by locating roots growing inside the sewer line, and will not only locate where roots may cause a block in the line, but also have the tools and expertise to fix the problem.
Worried about rusty, broken, and leaking pipes? All are a part of a plumber’s job description. Concerned about the affects of frozen pipes during the winter months? If the problem goes ignored, flooded out basements, cracked drywall and flooring, and sewage backups may result. These are all unpleasant and expensive problems to correct, but a good plumber is able to keep the problems under control and save homeowners a great deal of money in the process.
Jun
11
Within your home, there are several different types of plumbing systems, one of them being your drainage system. The main sewer line is the lifeline for your home, allowing plumbing waste a way to navigate away from your home and into the main sewer line. And if you or your neighbors have ever faced a broken sewer pipe, you know nothing can cause more havoc to your daily life.
If your home is older, you may still have a clay pipe system in place. Today sewer lines are made from PVC pipe because of the longevity they bring to the system. In either case, many things can influence the functionality.
- Sending too much down the drain at one time
- Build up of grease and other materials over time
- Fast growing landscaping looking for water supplies
- Age
If you start seeing cleanup from broken sewer pipes in your neighborhood, instead of waiting for the inevitable, take a few steps to get prepared.
Schedule a sewer line inspection before you have a problem. Your local plumber has the tools to go into your lines with fiber optic equipment, and give you an analysis of the condition of your pipes. This can help you avoid the mess and expense down the road.
Establish a relationship with your local plumber early, and have someone you can trust ready to go. The last thing you want to do is sit down and research to find a company to help you with a backed up sewer line. Having a plumber ready to go can save you time and trouble. Begin establishing a relationship now with even small simple jobs to find one in your area.
Learn you options. You can head over to Google and gain a lot if information online. Look for quality information, and for a plumber that shares advice and comes with great recommendations.
Apr
8
Sewer Line Replacement
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As a plumber, we do more than install water heaters and clear your drains. We can also repair or replace water or sewer lines that are damaged, cracked or broken. Our sewer line replacement service includes:
- Replacing damaged or collapsed pipes that have shifted do to frozen ground, shifting and settling, or root infestation
- Restoring pipes that are blocked by food or grease buildup
- Repairing pipes that have deteriorated because or corrosion
- Refurbishing old existing pipes that are constructed of substandard materials, and may not meet current guidelines and codes
While traditional repair methods bring on thoughts of countless days of digging and destruction, with trenchless repair methods, a sewer line replacement can actually occur fairly quickly and without a lot of disturbance.
Using hydraulic machines, we can pull full sized replacement pipe through existing pipe lines. The newest pipe materials are stronger, are highly resistant to leaks and root intrusion, and have a long life expectancy.
Dec
16
How Septic Systems Work
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Who owns your septic system? Your city? You as a homeowner? If you said the latter, you are correct.
While septic systems in general are designed for long term, effective treatment of household water waste, if problems arise and you have to replace it, it could cost you thousands of dollars.
A 
typical septic system has four main parts: a pipe leading from the home, the septic tank, a drain field, and the soil. As wastewater runs away from your home into the drain field, microbes in the soil digest and remove most of the contaminants before it drains back into the groundwater.
The septic tank itself is buried away from your home, and can be identified through drawings filed at your local land office, or by manhole covers. An inspector can also help you locate your septic system. The septic tank is generally made from concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene, and holds the wastewater long enough to allow solids to settle, forming sludge, and oil and grease to float to the surface, also known as scum. Special compartments prevent both sludge and scum from leaving the tank and traveling into the drain field area.
In order to prevent buildup of scum and sludge, regular inspections and periodic pumping should be performed. It is the best and cheapest way of preventing backups, leading to wider and more costly problems down the road. Choose a reputable inspector with knowledge and experience in working with septic systems, and have your system checked once every 3 to 5 years.
Oct
23
House Check: Water Main and Sewer Repair
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One of the great things about living in Denver is the communities and unique neighborhoods. Ask anyone in the Hilltop, Park Hill or Highlands neighborhoods why they love the area – chances are you’ll hear “the large, old trees” among the list.
Older communities are popular because they are already established, in the center of town and 
close to everything. They are also well loved because of the mature landscaping, and uniqueness in style from one home to the next.
If you live in an older home, especially in a home built before 1975, it may be beneficial to do a home check of your water main and sewer lines before they cause problems.
Homes built after the mid 1970’s were built primarily using plastic pipes. Plastic is strong, durable, and lasts indefinitely. But houses built before 1975 often had clay piping for sewer lines. Clay pipe is softer and more susceptible to tree root infiltration, and can easily be cracked or misaligned due to settling and erosion.
Signs you could have problems with your water main or sewer line:
Toilets back up regularly
Drains clog and back up regularly
Water pooling in sinks, tubs and showers
Water or sewage coming up in basement drains
Instead of waiting for disaster, schedule a water main and sewer line inspection. Using fiber optics, an inspector is able to see into the pipe system and discover potential problems and threats. As a homeowner, you should receive a copy of the results, and learn more about the course of action to prevent further breakdowns.
[Instead of waiting for a water main or sewage break, schedule an inspection to determine the status of your pipes. An inspection can save you time, money and energy in having to repair damage from a break.]
Feb
20
You’ve heard the nightmare stories of homebuyers stuck with the bill of correcting sewer issues. Why not ensure the quality of your sewer system before you move in?
When people decide to buy a home, they know to get a home inspection. But very few people understand the importance of asking for a sewer inspection. Especially on an older home, a sewer inspection can save you untold hours and dollars installing a new one after you experience a problem after moving in.
One of the most common problems affecting sewer lines is tree roots growing into the lines. As trees grow, roots spread out and can crawl into tiny opening in the pipes, expanding the sewer line. As they move and grow, they latch on to debris flowing through the system, causing a build up.
With today’s modern technology, it’s easy to see the condition of your drain and sewer lines from the inside. Using fiber optics, a plumber will go in and view the inside of the pipe system. He will record the process, and provide you with a copy of the results, carefully explaining his findings and any possible repercussions. He will also provide you with repair or replacement suggestions.
While a sewer inspection may come out of the new homebuyers pocket, it is by far less expensive than the cost of having to replace a sewer line. To schedule your sewer line inspection, contact Quality 1st Plumbing.
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