Clearwater Plumbing involves the pipes that bring clean water into your building and carry waste and stormwater out. It also includes fixtures like sinks, toilets and showers.
Plumbing inspections can save you money by catching problems before they escalate. They can also extend the lifespan of your pipes and fixtures.
Sewer lines are responsible for carrying waste and sewage from your home’s drains into the municipal sewer system or septic tank. If your sewer line becomes damaged or clogged, wastewater from all of your home’s plumbing fixtures will back up into your home, creating a serious and costly problem. Regular sewer inspections and maintenance are vital for keeping your home’s drainage system functioning properly.
Your home’s main sewer lines are typically located in the lowest parts of your property. If you notice frequent clogs or hear gurgling sounds in your home, it could indicate that your sewer line is experiencing an issue. A professional assessment will help determine the source of the clog and whether or not it is a sign of a larger issue with your sewer line.
A regular risk assessment conducted by a certified plumber will help to identify potential problems with your sewer line early on. This allows for timely repairs and prevents major damage to the pipes, which can shorten their lifespan.
Regular inspections will also help to reduce the risk of clogs and other issues that can lead to sewer line backups. Practicing preventative maintenance, such as flushing the system with hot water, using enzyme-based cleaners, and avoiding the flushing of non-biodegradable items, can significantly reduce the risk of clogs.
Identifying and addressing sewer line issues promptly can save homeowners money in the long run. Repairing or replacing a section of a damaged sewer line is often more cost-effective than dealing with the damage caused by a catastrophic sewer line failure, which can require extensive excavation and replacement.
In addition, a proactive approach to sewer line maintenance can greatly extend the lifespan of your sewer line. A sewer line that is not well maintained can be subject to a number of issues, such as cracks, leaks, ground shifting, and tree root intrusions. These can all lead to a breakdown in the integrity of your pipe, leading to costly repairs or even complete replacement. With proper care, your sewer line can last for decades.
Septic Tanks
A septic tank is a buried, watertight container that holds wastewater from your home. Gray wastewater from kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms and black wastewater from latrines enter the tank, where bacteria break it down. Solids sink to the bottom, forming sludge, while oil and grease float to the top, forming scum. The partially clarified liquid wastewater exits the tank into the drainfield area.
The septic system must be inspected and maintained to prevent the release of sewage into groundwater supplies. Sewage backups into toilets and other fixtures, muddy soil around the septic system, and bright green grass over the drainfield are signs of septic system failure.
If you suspect your septic tank is leaking, contact a plumbing professional immediately. A plumber will test the septic tank’s water level and inspect the baffles, riser lids, inlet and outlet pipes, and distribution box. They will also check the tank for cracks, rust, and other damages. The septic tank must be pumped regularly to avoid an overfull condition that can damage the absorption field.
Septic tanks are made from concrete, steel, fiberglass, or high-density polyethylene. Those constructed from steel can rust, while those from fiberglass and polyethylene may crack or split. A septic tank with a cracked or broken wall can leak sewage into the surrounding ground.
A septic tank can also fail when the solids it contains come into direct contact with groundwater supplies, polluting wells and surface water. Check with your local health department for more information.
Performing regular sewer inspections of your septic system can keep it working properly for years. Be sure to avoid putting items into the septic system that shouldn’t be there, such as dental floss, feminine hygiene products, cotton swabs, coffee grounds, cigarette butts, paper towels, latex paint, and pesticides.
Be sure to map out the location of your septic system and other components with markers or permanent stakes. This will help you avoid damaging them when doing yard work or moving vehicles and equipment around your property. You should also never build a structure over the tank or absorption field, such as a shed, pool, deck, or driveway.
Water Heaters
A water heater is a plumbing apparatus or appliance that heats incoming cold water, allowing appliances such as dishwashers, clothes washers and showers to output warm and hot water. It also stores heated water for future use. Like all plumbing equipment, it requires regular inspection and maintenance to ensure safety, efficiency and longevity.
A home inspection typically includes examination of the water heater and all the pipes connected to it. The inspector looks for leaks in the tank, rusting on the tank and pipe surfaces, and a temperature pressure relief valve (which is designed to open at 210 degrees Fahrenheit) that functions properly.
The inspector also inspects the dip tube that feeds water to the bottom of the heating element or burner inside a gas-powered heater, or the heating elements in an electric water heater. The heater’s first-hour rating is also examined, which is the amount of hot water a heater can produce in one hour. This enables the homeowner to determine whether the water heater is rated appropriately for the household’s peak demand, i.e., simultaneous showers and washing machines.
An electric water heater has a thermostat and two heating elements powered by a 220-volt circuit. Electrical energy is converted to heat energy in the heating elements and transferred to the stored water by conduction. Scale and calc build up on the heating elements is problematic because it prevents them from efficiently transferring heat into the water. It can also cause the heating elements to overheat and fail.
If the hot water heater is located on an upper level of a residence, it should be equipped with a drain pan and a shutoff valve for the flue that discharges gases such as carbon monoxide outside of the house. The flue should be inspected to ensure it’s properly lined and connected, with the top of the chimney being no more than 6 inches from the top of the water heater. A sediment trap should also be in place at the hot water heater. This can be as simple as a tee fitting with a capped nipple attached to the bottom of the tank.
Under Drain Slabs
Many homes and small businesses are built on slab floors. These slabs are essentially concrete poured over leveled ground. Most often, water and sewer systems run beneath these slabs. If one of these lines breaks, it can cause a slab leak. This is a serious problem that needs to be addressed quickly before the damage spreads further. If you suspect a slab leak, contact your plumber right away.
When a plumber detects a slab leak, they will use specialized equipment to locate the source of the leak. This may include acoustic listening discs or thermal scanning devices. Once they’ve found the leak, they can either excavate to remove and replace the broken pipe or use lateral repair techniques to bypass the old pipe (also known as a trenchless sewer repair).
The most important step in preventing a slab leak is to have a plumbing inspection conducted on a regular basis. This includes a visual inspection of all pipes in the basement, garage and slab areas. It also includes a hydrostatic test of the waste system, which involves blocking the drain line and filling it up with water. If the water levels rise, there’s a leak in the pipes underneath your home or business.
Slab leaks that occur on the pressure side of the plumbing are easier to spot. They can be caused by a number of things, including a sudden increase in your water bill or the sound of running water when no faucets are turned on. If the leak goes unnoticed, however, it can cause extensive damage to your foundation and lead to a moldy, mildew-ridden floor or furnishings.
A slab leak that occurs on the drainage side of your foundation can be much harder to spot. These leaks can continue for years without anyone noticing, and they’ll eventually cause your foundation to crack or collapse. Slab leaks on the drainage side can be detected by observing signs such as dark spots or wet spots in your flooring, mold and mildew growing on carpeting or furnishings or a sudden increase in your water bills.