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MOST COMMON WINTER PLUMBING PROBLEMS

            Some people say winter and plumbing issues go hand in hand. There’s a number of reasons why one might agree with that. Harsh winter temperatures are not to be taken lightly; Chicago residents don’t need further elaboration on that. These temperatures can easily freeze the water running through your pipelines. Since you’re reading this, we assume that you’re wondering what the most common winter plumbing problems are. Also, you might want to find out if there is a way to fix them without much hassle? Needless to say, you’re at the right address. In the article below, we’ll show you everything there’s to know about the awkward relationship between plumbing issues and winter. Stay tuned! FROZEN PIPES One of the most common winter plumbing problems concerns frozen pipes. If it gets so cold that the pipes freeze, it’s best you notice the issue before the  pipes burst . If a burst occurs after the water’s been backing up for too long, that’s cert...

THE IMPORTANCE OF CATCH BASIN CLEANING

  Catch basins   are receptacles buried underground to serve as a temporary reservoir, treat, and divert water into the sewer system. It is an essential part of the landscape drainage system and has a grate above, a drainage pipe sloping from the basin, and a sump pump at the bottom. When rainwater and solids flow over the catch basin, the grate traps debris and water drains through it into the pipes, but sediments settle in the sump pump. From the drainage pipe, water enters the sewage stream or plant. For homes, catch basins are about one-foot by one-foot boxes in design. As  RentSmartUSA  explains, they help to collect, reserve, and filter water from your gutters, lawn, and around your home. Public catch basins are of larger designs made of concrete block, concrete, or polypropylene. The polypropylene types have perforations at the bottom and sides. THE BENEFITS OF CATCH BASINS Catch basins are essential in the following ways: If you are residing in a location tha...

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SEWER RODDING

  What exactly is   sewer rodding   and when should you use this   drain cleaning technique ? Sewer rodding is an advanced technique for removing stubborn clogs and blockages from drains and sewer lines. It is typically used when other methods have failed. It is highly effective for removing clogs that are located deep down the drain line. Property managers are well familiar with this, says  McKenna & Vane , as most tenants only pay attention to it when the issue becomes unbearable.  THIS IS HOW SEWER RODDING WORKS The procedure involves feeding a flexible polypropene rod (also called a sewer rod or plumbing rod) into the pipe until it reaches the location of the blockage. The rods can be connected to make the line longer. They are also flexible enough to easily go around bends. At one end of the rod is an attached mechanical head with sharp teeth that can drill and cut through any kind of blockage inside the pipe. Sewer rodding is particularly useful f...

SEWER ODOR DETECTION: HOW TO GET RID OF SEWER GAS IN YOUR HOME

Sewer lines are designed to protect you and your household from the unpleasantness and health risks of the liquid waste generated from your home. But sometimes, the system fails and releases sewer gases plus disgusting sewer gas odors into the home. What causes sewer gas odors in the home and is sewer gas harmful to human health? CAN SEWER GAS HARM YOU? Sewer gas, being a by-product of decomposing household waste contains a complex mix of gases and microorganisms. Some of these gases are harmful to humans and there is a huge possibility that sewer gas may also contain dangerous bacteria, warns  Innovative Property Solutions . Gases commonly found in sewer gas are: Hydrogen sulfide This gas is responsible for the rotten egg smell of sewer gas. It is toxic to the oxygen system of the body. Ammonia Ammonia can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory tract or result in organ damage and even death. Methane and carbon dioxide Methane is a flammable gas and in large quantities ca...

DRAIN TILE: WHAT IS IT AND DO I NEED IT?

The first time you hear the term “drain tile”, your inclination might be to think of the tiles on the floor of your home. But drain tiles have nothing to do with your home’s flooring. They are perforated pipes surrounded by stones that are used to keep groundwater from getting into your home’s basement. UNDERSTANDING DRAIN TILE SYSTEMS Originally, drain pipes were made from sections of clay. Hence, being called tiles instead of pipes. Today, however, most drain pipes are made of PVC or plastic. They consist of sections of perforated pipes laid inside a gravel trench and overlaid with more gravel. The gravel allows groundwater to collect in the trench and find its way into the pipes through the holes on the sides of the pipes. The  water is subsequently transported away from the house . Sometimes drain tiles are covered with sleeves to keep dirt from getting into them. Drain tiles are essential for keeping the house safe in the event of heavy rain or rapid snowmelt. They can be inst...

WHY A SEWER CAMERA INSPECTION IS CRITICAL BEFORE BUYING A HOUSE

You probably know you should do a home inspection when buying a house. You may also realize the value of doing additional testing for mold, radon, lead, or foundation damage when the home inspection report recommends them, says   Windermere Management . But did you know that you should do a sewer line camera inspection before you pay for any property? Home inspections check the condition of a home’s major structures and systems, plus the appliances inside it. It will look at the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. Home inspections also examine the building’s foundations, roof, walls, flooring, and main mechanicals. But home inspections do not include an assessment of the sewer lines. WHY SEWER LINES ARE EXCLUDED FROM HOME INSPECTIONS Home inspectors conduct a general evaluation of a building’s physical structures. They are not meant to dig deep into the condition of every single aspect of the house. But, if, during the inspection, a home inspector encounters a problem that...

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO REPLACE A WATER SERVICE LINE?

Every homeowner experiences water problems in their home once in a while, but most of those happen within the home or the pipes within the immediate vicinity of the home. Sometimes though, the unexpected happens and you will have problems with your main water line. When this happens, it can be a big issue because most homeowners are not even aware of that portion of the plumbing. The exterior water line to your home may be buried up to nine feet in the ground, so early detection of problems with the line can be hard. The other thing is even when homeowners know of the existence of the main water line, they assume that responsibility for maintaining the line belongs to the city. But as TE Johnson & Sons Management explains, this assumption is wrong; it is your job to look after the main water line to your home. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOUR WATER SERVICE LINE AND THE PUBLIC MAIN Knowing how your home connects to the public main water supply will help you understand how the ...