Tree Roots in Your Sewer Line: Signs, Causes and Fixes
If a sewer line keeps backing up in an older neighborhood, roots are the first thing we think about. It’s not the only cause, but it’s the one we see most on lines that have clogged more than once. How roots find the pipe Roots grow toward water and nutrients. A tiny crack or a […]
Sewage Backup in Your Basement: What to Do Right Now
Sewage coming up in the basement is stressful, and it’s also a health issue. This is what we’d tell a friend to do in the first few minutes, before anyone gets to the cleanup. First, stop adding water No flushing, no laundry, no dishwasher, no showers. Every gallon that goes down the drain has nowhere […]
Sump Pump vs. Ejector Pump: What’s the Difference?
Plenty of Chicago basements have a pit in the floor with a pump in it, and people tend to call it a sump pump no matter what it does. That’s understandable, but there are really two different machines, and knowing which one you have makes repair calls a lot easier. The sump pump A sump […]
How Often Should You Clean Your Sewer Line in Chicago?
Ask three plumbers how often a sewer line should be cleaned and you’ll get three different answers. They’re not guessing. The honest answer depends on the pipe, and no two lines are quite alike. A newer house with plastic pipe running out to the street and no big trees nearby can go a long time […]
Sewer Rodding vs. Hydro Jetting: Which Does Your Drain Need?
People often ask us which is better, rodding or hydro jetting. The short answer is that it depends on what’s in the pipe. They do different jobs, and picking the wrong one means paying for a cleaning that doesn’t last. Rodding: cut through it Rodding sends a powered cable with a cutting head down the […]
Why Is Your Basement Floor Drain Backing Up? 7 Common Causes
Dirty water coming up through a basement floor drain is one of the worst surprises a homeowner gets. It’s also one of the most common calls we hear. The causes are fairly predictable, and some are much easier to fix than others. A clogged main sewer line Grease, wipes and paper build up until the […]