How Crucial is it to Keep the Sewer Line Clean?

While a clogged drain can be a real nuisance, a clogged sewer line can lead to a plumbing disaster that can cost thousands to correct. Both your sewer lines and main drains will send wastewater away from your home. 

However, there are a few key differences between the two systems. For example, sewer line drains are found outside and beneath the ground, whereas your main drains are situated in the floors and walls of your home. 

All of the waste that leaves your property will become trapped in the event that your sewer line becomes clogged, so you should do everything in your power to prevent such an issue from arising in the first place.

What are the signs and symptoms of a blocked sewer?

If you hear strange sounds or smell disgusting or pungent odors coming from your bathroom or kitchen, then your sewers may be blocked. 

Your appliances may begin to show signs that something is amiss, and clogged toilets are also a telltale sign that there is a serious issue with your plumbing.

You may also notice that some water comes back up whenever you use your plumbing fixtures. As well, if you need to plunge your toilet frequently, then the source of the issue may be a blocked sewer.

What are the reasons for sewer line clogging?

There are a wide array of factors that can clog up your sewer system. For instance, a broken or damaged pipe may cause your sewer lines to become blocked. Infiltration of tree roots from outside may also cause issues.

Excessive rainfall and flooding can cause your sewer line to become clogged. It is also very important that you avoid dumping debris down your toilet. Hair, soap, tissue paper, excess toilet paper, paper towels, toys, and other materials can easily clog up your toilet and sewer lines in due time.

You should never allow grease to drip down your drains, as they can harden and clog your sewer line if you are not careful. 

In some cases, you may not be able to determine what exactly is causing the blockage. You may need to call a professional to look into the matter. Once your sewer line has been cleaned by the expert, they will let you know what was the cause of the clog.

A professional drain repair service should be strongly considered, as it is the only way to permanently unclog all of your pipes. Their top experts will use a state-of-the-art camera to determine the underlying source of the issue.

They will look for any cracks or blockages that may be causing your main sewer line to be clogged. They will then discuss all of the options available with you in order to rectify the issue before they solve the problem.

What is the importance of maintaining a clean sewer line?

First and foremost, your sewer line must be maintained on a regular basis in order to prevent the formation of clogs. Also, if you are currently dealing with repugnant odors, then you may be unable to cook, clean, or even live in your home.

The odors will ferment and will only get worse unless you call a professional to intervene on your behalf. You can prevent such an issue from developing in the future by maintaining a clean sewer line.

Your overall expenses will also be lowered. Some people may be hesitant to call in an expert, as they may worry about the costs. Some will simply hope that the problem will go away on its own. In truth, sewer line problems will only grow over time, so nipping them in the bud is the ideal course of action.

A serious sewer line problem can cost thousands to repair, and may make your home uninhabitable for days or even weeks, depending on the extent of the damage. Routine maintenance will keep expenses low going forward.

Another important reason to maintain a clear sewer line is to keep a healthy and clean environment in your home. Imagine a scenario where raw sewage ends up contaminating your bathwater and your drinking supply.

You may not be able to bathe or shower, and may need to boil your water or buy bottled water in order to hydrate yourself. Such issues can easily be avoided if you routinely maintain your sewer lines and take care of plumbing problems while they are still small.

Be Proactive

Do not wait for small problems to grow. Most plumbing problems start small, but will eventually become worse over time. Hidden issues will cause serious problems in the future, and may cause a plumbing disaster that can cost thousands to fix.

By cleaning your drains on a regular basis, you will be able to enjoy more efficient and faster drainage 365 days a year. You will also prevent leaks from occuring in the first place, and the lifespan of your drains will increase dramatically.

Prevent foul odours from forming that can make it hard to breathe and work while inside your home, and stop clogs from developing in the first place by being proactive. Being proactive will also prevent damage to your home. 

Mould spores and bacteria can grow very quickly, and can also make you and your loved ones very sick if they are not removed as soon as possible by a licensed and bonded plumber.

The problem with sewer pipes is that they are found underground. You cannot simply access them whenever you want, nor can you easily tell if there is an issue with them. Many people simply forget the problem exists due to their very busy lives.

However, your sewer pipes are an integral part of your home and your quality of life, and should not be taken for granted. Please make sure that your sewage lines are maintained on a regular basis in order to ensure that you don’t run into very serious problems in the not-too-distant future.

 Source:

The Benefits of Cleaning Your Drains (expresssewer.com)

Top 6 Easy Ways to Clear a Blocked Drain

A blocked drain is perhaps the most common plumbing problem that is encountered across Australia. Blockages occur when you least expect them resulting in lots of inconvenience and damage to property. Hence, it would help if you were better prepared to deal with a blocked drain. If you leave a blocked drain untreated, it can result in blockages that can lead to water leakage from the drains. This can prove to be fatal for your business facility or home property. If you encounter severe blockages, it can also result in burst pipes. This can result in lots of expenses. You can contact www.ppssa.com.au a professional plumbing and pipeline service in South Australia with their 24/7 emergency plumbing support.

Let's now look at some of the easy ways to clear a blocked drain:

Boiling Water

If you want a quick-fix solution for your blocked drains, we recommend you try pouring a pot of boiling water into the blocked drain. In many instances, it works in loosening or even dissolving the blockage without resorting to any drastic measures. 

However, we will advise you to use this method only if you have metal or ceramic pipes. The reason being, the heat can loosen joints on PVC pipes. If you are dealing with PVC pipes, we suggest you go for hot and not boiling tap water instead. This method can prove to be a saving grace, especially on grease or food build-up. But, it may not be the best solution for solid blockages.

DIY Natural Cleaner

It is very easy to create a DIY natural cleaner. You can do this by utilising the combination of bicarb soda (baking soda) and white vinegar. Just pour the bicarb into the drain, and then immediately pour the vinegar. Cover the drain so that the mixture does not come out from the pipe. 

A point to ponder: The chemical reaction between the bicarb and vinegar results in oxygen, which scours inside the pipes. This assists in clearing out the blocked drain. Repeat this process several times to ensure that the blockage is cleared entirely. Once the mixture has passed through the blockage, wash the pipes with lukewarm water to get rid of the remaining residue.

Caustic Cleaner

We recommend you purchase caustic chemical drain cleaners from your local hardware store or supermarket. These chemicals are renowned for dissolving grease, hair, food, and other prevalent blockages. But, they can even harm the environment. And, so, you need to use them judiciously. 

Keep this in mind: Caustic cleaners do not work on solid masses. For example, tree roots or small household items. Hence, always protect your hands and face while applying it with chemical cleaners. Next, flush your pipes with water afterwards to remove any lingering chemicals.

Plunger

A plunger is used to clear a blocked drain just when you are about to clear a clogged toilet. Whenever you decide to use a plunger, ensure that you cover any overflow spouts prior to commencing the plunging process. This will help in getting a strong seal. Since the plunger results in up-and-down pressure, it aids in loosening any blockages. This way, your pipes can flow smoothly once again. Plunging is one of the most lethal tools to counter solid blockages. However, it is not effective against grease build-up and mineral deposits.

Plumber's Snake and CCTV

A plumber's snake or electric eel tool is apt for more severe blockages. The rotating coil that you see at the end of the cable in the plumber's snake spins quickly, chipping away at the blockage. This process continues till it gets cleared. 

A thought to ponder: Plumber's snake has a limited range. And, so, the blockage needs to be near the drain's opening for it to be effective. A plumber's snake can also damage your pipes, so it is best to try other methods first. You can get plumbers' snakes at most hardware stores. Alternatively, you can even hire a licensed plumber to complete the job.

Hydro-jet

Hydro-jets coerce a powerful stream of water via your pipes. The pressure that results from it then forces the blockage through the pipes and out. This results in the water flowing out once again. This method is much safer for your piping than a plumber's snake. 

But it should be noted that this method is not quite effective against solid blockages. Even though you are trying hydro-jetting on your own, we would suggest that you leave this task to a professional plumber who has the necessary tools and experience to do this job with precision.

These are some of the easy ways to clear a blocked drain.

How to Brighten up the Interior Areas of Your Home

If your home environment is looking a bit dreary, you have many options for how to brighten up the interior space. Consider the following 5 ideas for transforming dull spaces to make them look brighter and more inviting.

Use Bright Daylight Bulbs

Your choice of interior lighting is one of the most obvious contributing factors to each room’s perceived levels of brightness. To make a room appear brighter, one of the first things you could consider doing is changing out your light bulbs. This will be particularly effective if your space has fluorescent lighting. You’ll also want to evaluate whether it would be productive to simply add a few extra lights to the space. If you only have one overhead light illuminating the area, you might want to add a few floor lamps or wall sconces to the décor.

Hang Light-Colored Curtains

If your windows are being obscured by heavy, dark-colored draperies, exchange those drapes for sheers or lighter-colored curtains. If applicable, roll up the shades and open the blinds.

Use Interior Painting to Your Advantage

The interior paint colors you choose influence your perception of the room’s relative brightness. If you need to make the room appear lighter or brighter, it’s beneficial to choose a correspondingly bright white interior paint color. It’s ideal if you can work with either an interior designer or an interior painting contractor who offers paint color consultations. Doing so assures that you get an experienced opinion on whether your chosen paint colors will be workable for that particular space.

Install Light-Colored Flooring

If your goal is to make your home look its brightest, it’s best to avoid decorating with dark colors on the floor. Light-colored flooring can help to create the perception that a space is bright and livable. It’s easy to add some light-colored area rugs to your living space. It’s a bit more complex to rip out your existing floor and reinstall it. However, if you’re planning a home remodel, you might decide it’s worth the effort to go ahead and install light-colored flooring. If you have hardwood flooring, it may be possible to remove your existing stain and refinish the floor with a lighter and brighter stain color.

Add Windows or Skylights

It may be possible to remodel your home to add windows or skylights. This could add significant amounts of natural light, which would brighten the interior considerably. If remodeling is not an option, you can at least clean your windows. If the glass on your windows is dirty, taking this action could possibly help to brighten the space.

These are some of the best options for making your interior space look lighter, brighter and more inviting. If you are dissatisfied with the level of brightness in your current design scheme, consider implementing any of the above ideas to improve the brightness levels.

Downsizing Checklist: Steps To Staying Organized While Moving

The idea of downsizing can seem like a stressful process at first. Well, you’re in luck because we created a step-by-step guide to help you through the process. 

We have the best tips and tricks to make your move as easy as possible. Our guide even includes a downsizing checklist to help you stay organized along the way.

Downsizing Benefits

Downsizing is increasing in popularity and with good reason. Here are some of the many benefits of downsizing your home.

• Reduced cost: Downsizing allows you to spend more money on hobbies that you love instead of spending it on higher bills and mortgage payments.

• Less environmental impact: Downsizing allows you to start using less gas, electricity and water than you did in your larger home.

• Reduce clutter: Downsizing will force you to declutter and simplify your life for a more stress-free living situation.

Now that you know the benefits, it’s time to go over our best tips for keeping you organized during your downsize.

Start months in advance

Allow yourself to take breaks and avoid feeling rushed throughout the move by starting months in advance. This will give you more time to debate which items you want to keep, so you have ample time to decide which items you want to donate.

Go digital

If you have physical photos and home movies of your family and friends, a trick is to convert home movies and photographs into digital files. Going digital will help preserve your precious memories while freeing up extra storage space.

Put Items in Categories

Put your items into different piles labeled: keep, storage, and donate. Everything in the keep pile can come to your new home. The items in the donate pile can be donated to the charity of your choice. Lastly, add any items in storage to your storage unit, garage, or attic.

Maximize your storage spaces

Before you go to grab your wallet to purchase a storage unit, it’s a good idea to consider alternatives in your own home for your excess items. Some suggestions are to use floating shelves, pick out multifunctional furniture and add built-in closet organizers.

Donate duplicate items

One of the easiest ways to free up more storage space is to get rid of duplicate items. Get rid of similar clothing items, kitchenware, and decorative items to make more room for your favorite items in your new home.

Moving Resources

• Downsizing Checklist: Use this checklist to stay on track during your move.

• Moving Labels: Use these labels to decide what items to keep or donate.

• Closet Organization Tags: Use these tags to organize your closet.

Downsizing can seem overwhelming at first, but staying organized will help you get through the process with ease. Luckily, companies like ApartmentGuide are a great resource for finding the ideal space for your living situation.