 | Braden Peak is the manager of Roto-Rooter Sewer, Drain, Septic and Grease Trap Service in Pittsburg, KS. A Girard native and a graduate of Pittsburg State University, he is a licensed sewer contractor and has been with the company since 2002. He can be reached at 620-231-5630 or by emailing kpp_rotorooter@yahoo.com. You can also become a fan of Roto-Rooter of Pittsburg on Facebook.
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Plumbing
2012-03-23 09:02:44
Advice for sewers and drains
Q: I’m planning to purchase a home in town and I’m concerned about the sewer and drain system. What steps should we take to avoid problems?
A: That’s a great question and one that all potential buyers and current homeowners should ask to protect their investment. Problems with drain systems can be a small problem with an easy fix or they can be a big problem with a costly fix. If you are considering the purchase of a residential or commercial property with a drain system, it is best to check every drain to make sure it is functioning properly. It is tempting to jump in with both feet with excitement once you’ve found that dream home or investment property, but without thoroughly checking the entire plumbing system you could be asking for trouble.
Some of these problems could include root intrusion in the service lateral (the service lateral is the main drain line exiting the structure which connects to the municipal sanitary sewer main), broken or collapsed service lateral, interior drain lines under the structure or in the basement that are clogged or in need of replacement, problems with fixtures using excessive water, and faulty or incorrectly plumbed sump pumps. This is a sample of the checklist you can use to find any issues that may arise. The technology used today is far superior to simply flushing a toilet or turning on a bath tub to make sure it drains. Camera inspections of the service laterals is a service that select drain professionals offer to see inside the pipe. This is a popular service that can truly save thousands of dollars. Even if the seller or previous owner indicated no drain issues, a problem could be lurking out of sight. A visual of the problem areas and an exact location and depth of those areas can be provided. You can possibly avoid the surprise of a flooded basement or a backup of every drain in the structure. With this service, a professional can determine whether the lines are clear, need cleaned, or need repaired or replaced.
Most problems with service laterals stem from the material of which it is made or the method in which the pipe was installed. Clay tile pipe was a popular material used for main service laterals prior to the early 1980’s. This is a sectioned heavy pipe that older structures utilize from the foundation out and in certain cases, under basement floors. Through natural aging, each joint of pipe can potentially be an entrance for tree root intrusion and water infiltration. Root intrusion, natural ground shifting, or heavy traffic on the surface above the pipe can cause these joints to become uneven or broken. Orangeburg pipe is a waste line composed of wood fiber and tar. Although this pipe has been in the ground for fifty years or more, the condition of the pipe is usually deformed and deteriorated which can cause blockages and allow root intrusion to occur. PVC pipe is the common material used today for new construction and replacement. As long as the correct wall thickness is used and it is installed correctly, this type of pipe should give you years of trouble free use providing it is used properly.
This topic covered systems connected to a sanitary sewer service. Next month, we will cover our rural residents with onsite waste systems.
