A plumber works on a variety of plumbing-related tasks, including drain cleaning and sewer line repair. Platinum Plumbing also installs and maintains water heaters. They are a vital part of any home or business.
A main sewer line runs from your house to the city sewer system or septic tank. A clogged line can cause serious problems. It can damage drywall, destroy carpeting, and lead to mold and mildew.
Sewer Line Blockage
If your toilets, tubs, and sinks are draining slowly, this could be a sign of a blockage in your sewer line. Since this line carries waste away from your home, any clogs can cause wastewater to back up into your fixtures, which can be a major plumbing problem. This is why it’s important to know how to spot a sewer line issue and what to do about it.
Most clogs happen inside your house, and they’re usually easy to fix. But a clog in the main sewer line can be a much bigger problem. Without a route to the septic tank or the public sewer system, wastewater will have nowhere to go and may start flowing back into your house through drains and floor drains. This can cause flooding, water damage, and even health concerns.
When you’re experiencing a sewer line issue, it’s best to shut off your home’s water supply and not use any of the plumbing until the problem is resolved. This will help prevent any accidental use of the affected fixture and make it easier to isolate the issue. Then, you can call a plumber or drain specialist to identify the source of the problem and fix it.
A clog in the sewer line is often caused by tree roots that grow into or around pipes. These can be a problem because they can cause the pipes to break or collapse. They can also create leaks and cause other issues, including a foul odor.
Another common reason for a clog in the sewer line is that debris can build up inside of the pipe. This can include anything from toilet paper and soap scum to grease and other non-biodegradable trash. This can also be the result of a broken or misaligned pipe caused by shifting soil, ground movement, or heavy equipment above ground.
If you suspect a problem with your sewer line, you should check the drain clean-out plug on your foundation wall. This is a fitting that allows you to remove the street-side plug of your sewer line so that a plumber can inspect it for any issues.
Cloudy Water
Many people experience cloudy water at some point in their lives, but it’s not necessarily a cause for concern. The most common cause of cloudy water is air bubbles, which will dissipate if you let the water sit for a few minutes. However, this problem can also be caused by hard water or by minerals that have accumulated in your water heater. In some cases, the solution may be as simple as a filter or water softener.
Water travels through the underground mains before it reaches your home. As it does, it warms up and sometimes carries dissolved air with it. When the water reaches your building’s plumbing pipes, it is under pressure. This causes the dissolved air to release into the water, creating tiny air bubbles that make the water appear cloudy or milky. This condition is harmless and is not harmful to drink, but it can cause abrasions on pipes and decrease the effectiveness of detergents.
Another possible reason for cloudy water is contamination with methane gas, which can occur if you have well water or live in an area where gas or oil mining takes place. Methane gas is odorless and colorless, and it quickly rises to the surface of the water. Luckily, methane-contaminated water is not dangerous to drink and will dissipate on its own once you expose it to air.
In some cases, the water is cloudy due to a high concentration of mineral or sediment particles. This can often be corrected by aerating the water, but it may be more difficult if your pipes are older. In this case, it may be a good idea to consult with a plumber to determine the root of the problem. Depending on the type of contaminant, you may need to change your plumbing pipes or install a water filter. In most cases, a professional will be able to help you resolve the issue without any complications. It’s also worth checking with your neighbors to see if their water is cloudy too. This will help you determine if it’s an isolated issue or not.
Sewage Smell
Sewage smell is a clear indicator that something is seriously wrong with your home’s plumbing system. Sewage is made of human waste and contains harmful gases like hydrogen sulfide that can be dangerous if inhaled in large doses for extended periods. According to a magazine, this can cause headaches, nausea, and even vomiting. If the sewage smell is coming from multiple areas in your house, you may need to have professional plumbers take a closer look at your pipes and sewer line.
There are several reasons why your house might be smelling like sewage, and some of them are easier to fix than others. One of the most common causes is that water has evaporated from a sink or drain for a long period. This can happen if you haven’t used a particular bathroom in a while or the drain trap under sinks and floor drains have become dry.
The easiest way to fix this problem is to simply run water down the offending drain for a few seconds. This will fill the trap with water again and stop sewer odors from permeating your home.
Another common reason for a sewer smell is that there are holes or cracks in your pipes. If these aren’t repaired, they can cause serious problems in your home’s plumbing system. These holes and cracks can be fixed by professional plumbers using pipe patching materials.
If the sewage smell is coming from your laundry room, it could be because of the washing machine’s P-trap. This trap is designed to block sewer odors from entering the house, but it can become blocked by hair, soap scum, and other debris over time. It’s important to clean the P-trap regularly and to ensure that it is installed correctly.
Finally, sewer odors can also be caused by a blocked vent. This can occur when the vent is full of debris, including clogged or rotten food particles. A professional plumber will be able to check the condition of your vent and determine whether it needs to be cleaned or replaced.
Lead Contamination
Lead rarely occurs naturally in the environment, but is introduced into drinking water through pipes and solder. This typically happens due to corrosion from materials in plumbing components such as brass and chrome-plated brass faucets, galvanized iron pipes, and lead-based solder used to join copper pipes. Lead can also leach into drinking water from the lead-based solder on plumbing fixtures such as ball valves, water jugs, and faucets. Corrosion is usually caused by dissolved oxygen, low pH, and other environmental factors. While steps have been taken to limit exposure, lead still can contaminate drinking water.
The best way to avoid lead in your drinking water is to use a home filtration system. Water softeners, reverse osmosis units, and whole-house filtration systems can reduce the levels of dissolved contaminants including lead. These systems should be installed by a professional.
If you are concerned about lead in your drinking water, contact your local water system and ask if there are any programs available to assist with replacing the lead service line on your property. It is important to replace the entire service line, from the water main to your house, because partial replacements can increase exposure for up to six months after the work has been completed.
It is also important to be aware that most lead contamination in drinking water results from plumbing in private homes or buildings, not from the municipal water supply. Therefore, it is your responsibility to check the variety of plumbing materials in your home and to remove any that may be causing problems.
In the country, most cities began shifting away from the use of lead water pipes by the 1920s, but many older homes have brass and chrome-plated brass fittings and lead-based solder. The plumbing industry’s trade organization continued to promote these materials through contacts with city officials and master plumber associations.
You can help reduce your risk of lead contamination by running your tap water for several minutes before drinking it and using only cold drinking water for cooking and making baby formula. It is also a good idea to remove and clean aerators or screens on plumbing fixtures, which can become clogged over time with sediment and debris.
