If your home or building was viewed as a body, then the sewage pipes are like the lymphatic system. Water and toxins travel down the pipes away from the property, just as lymph moves toxins out of the body and is drained through excretion. When the system is no longer performing properly due to poor drainage, you must take action to resolve the problem and restore your pipes to optimal health.
This article will explore the symptoms, protocols, and treatments involved in restoring your pipe health through drainage repair.
Step 1: Symptoms of Poor Pipe Health
When you are sick you visit the doctor. Your sewage system should be treated the same, and any drainage issues addressed as soon as possible. Just as an illness can go from bad to worse, problems related to poor drainage can grow into more complex, expensive treatments.
There are several telltale signs to look out for:
- Slow draining sinks, tubs, and toilets
- Gurgling noises from drains
- Foul odors
- Water backups
- Water puddles, wet spots
- Increased pest activity
Signs of blockage typically become recognizable when the speed of drainage slows down. It takes time for your sinks or shower tubs to drain, and you may notice “gurgling” sounds in your pipes throughout the property which indicates the presence of air bubbles. This means that air is getting into the pipes, due to a hole or crack in that area. A breach in the pipe structure leads to leakages.
Over time the condition can worsen. Foul sewer odors begin to permeate when waste is not being flushed away. As blockages continue to grow, they cause pipe damage. Cracks, breaks, and holes from water backup lead to water puddles or wet spots around the inside of the building. Further down the line, if these symptoms are not addressed, insects, rodents, and other pests invite themselves into your property.
As you can see, the symptoms progressively get more severe as drainage issues are left in disrepair! If you notice any of these issues in your property then you must contact professionals to fix them. In the greater Seattle area, The Pipe Dr can take care of all of your drainage needs!
Step 2: Diagnosis & Treatment
Once you set up an appointment with drainage experts, here is what to expect:
Inspection:
Before starting on drainage repair, the pipe professional must inspect and assess the issue. To give them a big picture, give a detailed history of when you started noticing the problem and point out any other abnormalities you have noticed. The inside of the pipes is viewed with a specialized camera so any blocks or breakages will be detected.
Diagnosis:
A report with a quote and plan for the appropriate treatment of drainage repair is written and discussed with the owner of the property. Depending on the nature of the problem, certain tools are needed to restore your pipe and drainage system so that all water waste follows the proper flow. An agreement is reached and treatment is implemented.
Treatment:
Depending on the severity of the situation, several options are used in drainage repair:
Low-Level Issues
- Snaking: When it is a low-level problem, specialized tools can be used to physically remove a block in the pipes.
- Hydro-jetting: Blockages can be forcibly flushed out with a rotating jet that shoots water through the pipes in your sewage system.
Related article: Hydro-jetting Plumbers
Medium Level Issues
- CIPP: Cured-In-Pipe-Placement keeps the pipes you already have in place, but boosts their structural integrity with a protective lining from the inside.
- Pipe-Bursting: A stronger pipe is inserted into your damaged pipe until it ruptures the old one.
Related article: Trenchless Sewer Repair
High-Level Issues
- Excavation: An older sewage system, or a seriously damaged one in the home or building, needs extensive treatment to repair pipes weakened with blockages, leaks, and damage.
At the end of drainage repair, the professional will complete a series of quality assurance tests. They will also use the specialized camera to view the inside of the pipes and ensure that all pipes are cleared out and water flow has been restored. When your pipes are healthy again, there are things you can do to maintain the health of your sewage system to avoid issues down the line.
Step 3: Maintenance and Preventative Care
Implementing healthy practices is the primary source of preventative care. Here are some general guidelines to keep your drainage pipes healthy:
- Regular maintenance: A general inspection of your property’s pipes should be conducted every two years on average. This will ensure that any potential issues can be identified early on and action is taken to prevent major problems from developing.
- Recent plumbing work: Ensuring proper work has been done is just as important as addressing and fixing the initial problem. Usually, a final inspection is done at the end of the repair, but if you find there are more issues, then another inspection is a good idea.
- Older structures: An older property requires a more frequent maintenance and inspection schedule, as older pipes are more susceptible to corrosion, leaks, and other signs of deterioration.
- High-risk areas: The location of your property also affects the health of your pipes. If your building is in an area with high tree density there is the likelihood that roots can intrude into your pipes. Harsh weather can negatively impact the earth around your sewage pipes by causing changes in the soil composition and levels, affecting not only your pipes but eventually your building’s foundation as well. To prevent damage, more frequent inspections should be scheduled.
Related article: Foundation Repair
Need an Appointment? Call The Pipe Dr!
When you call The Pipe Dr, we follow a thorough protocol in diagnosing and treating the problems affecting your drainage. Our customer service team is available 24/7 in case of emergency, and we service the greater Seattle area! We will guide you through every step of the way so that your drainage repair goes as smoothly as possible.
Let The Pipe Dr perform your sewer system’s next physical exam! Your property’s drainage health is our specialty.