The most effective form of root control for sewer lines

Temporary control is done by cutting the roots with a sewer cleaning machine. The problem with cutting the roots is that it does not provide a long term solution to the problem. Pruning the roots injures them which causes the cut area to rapidly re-grow. The "pruning effect" often leads to bigger and bushier roots over time. A chemical called Vaporooter is the most effective form of root control because it not only kills the roots it inhibits regrowth. Vaporooter is used mostly in municipal sewers but can be installed in residential sewers as well. It is installed with a foaming agent to penetrate the root mass ensuring full chemical contact on all root and pipe surfaces. The installation of Vaporooter needs to be done by a professional. Call your local plumber or sewer and drain service company to see if they provide this service.

What law makes a drain work?

What law makes a drain work? The law of gravity. The basic idea of how a drain works is pretty simple. Water flows downhill, it starts from the high end and runs by gravity to the lower end through a pipe. While gravity will move water down a drainpipe it will not flow smoothly without a vent. A vent allows air into the drainpipe and gases out. The slope of the pipe is also important because to much and the water moves faster than the solids leaving them behind to build up and eventually causing a problem. Standard building code requirement for drainpipes is one-quarter inch of downward slope per foot of run.

Basic tools for a DIY plumber.

These are 10 basic tools you will need to take care of some minor plumbing repairs.
1. Pliers - Regular pliers and Channellock are used to tighten loosen P-Trap nuts
2. Pipe Wrench - 10 and 12 inch are used to tighten and loosen threaded pipe
3. Hack Saw - Used to cut through metal and plastic pipe, screws, nuts and bolts
4. Basin Wrench - Used to tighten and loosen faucet nuts under sinks
5. Plunger - No explanation needed
6. Toilet Auger - Used when a plunger won't work
7. Torch - Used to sweat copper pipe and fittings. Mapp gas is better
8. Tubing Cutters - Used to cut copper pipe
9. Metal File - Used to remove burrs and smooth metal pipe after cutting
10.Hand Snake - Used to clear sink and tub drains

These are 10 basic tools that you might need, adding some basic power tools such as a cordless drill and reciprocating saw can make things even easier. If you need to purchase tools you can save up to 40% on Brand Name, Manufacturer - Guaranteed reconditioned tools by clicking the link at the right

How to find a reliable service company or contractor

Trying to find a reliable service company or contractor can be frustrating and time consuming. Whether you have an emergency or want a room addition you want to make sure you hire someone that will do the best job possible. How many stories have you heard of someone waiting hours for the plumber to show up or gave their contractor a down payment and haven't seen them for days. Don't become the next person with a bad story, make sure you hire a reliable company by becoming a member of Angie's List. Thousands of people search the internet for service companies in their area, only to end up with a lousy service experience due to limited information. Angie's List takes the guesswork out of finding good service companies and contractors by providing it's members with thousands of unbiased ratings and reviews of their local service companies. To find out more about Angie's List or to become a member click on the link at the right.

Sewer cleanouts

A Sewer cleanout is a fitting on a sewer lateral that allows access for cleaning and maintenance. Without a sewer cleanout there is no direct access to it and will not be cleaned properly. Sewer cleanouts usually have a 4 inch plastic or brass screw cap on them. Some common locations for sewer cleanouts are at the base of the stack, on the basement floor, behind a toilet or just outside of the house. If you can not find one, you either do not have one or it could be buried in dirt or underneath concrete. If you find that you do not have a sewer cleanout, having one installed could save you money in the long run especially if you have large trees in your yard. Tree roots are a major cause of sewer lateral backups. Once tree roots enter a sewer lateral it will need to be cleaned regularly because the roots will always grow back. To help prevent your sewer from backing up, be careful what you put down your drains or flush down the toilet

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Clogged bath tub drain

Image by njvack via Flickr

A clogged bathtub drain is another common plumbing problem homeowners face, but these drains should be left for the professionals because of where the trap is located. The P-trap on a bathtub is located underneath the tub which will put it in the joists between the bathroom floor and the ceiling of the level below it, or if the house is built on a slab the trap will be under the concrete. If you try to run a snake yourself you could damage the trap and have water damage to contend with plus having the trap repaired. It will be faster and cheaper in the long run to call a professional sewer and drain cleaning company. See one of my previous posts on selecting a sewer and drain service company. The most common cause of blockage in a clogged bathtub drain is hair. If you can keep the hair from going down the drain you should not have a lot of trouble with clogs. Your local hardware store should have several different types of hair snares or filters that fit on top of the drain.

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Parking lot catch basins

Image via Wikipedia

If you own or manage a commercial property with a parking lot you will eventually have problems with parking lot catch basins. Catch basins are an opening into the storm drainage system that includes a grate at the parking lot level, an outlet pipe and a sump area at the bottom of the basin. The outlet pipe should be above the sump area to allow debris and heavy sediment to collect in the sump and not enter the outlet pipe. Some catch are equipped with a hooded outlet to prevent trash or other floatable materials from entering the outlet pipe. Parking lot catch basins need to be maintained, if not the debris, sediment and trash will build up over a period of time and not allow the storm water to drain through the outlet pipe causing the parking lot to flood. A flooded parking lot would require a Vac Truck to be hired to vac off water and remove debris from catch basin. These trucks normally run from $175.00 to $225.00 per hour. Typical maintenance for a catch basin is done by simply removing the grate and cleaning out the sump with a shovel or bucket. This should be done at least twice a year.