A Professional Guide to Dealing with Underground Plumbing Clogs
During the spring, the change in the weather gets everyone excited about being able to spend more time outside. Unfortunately, the change in the weather brings on some undesirable conditions for a home’s plumbing. Outdoor plumbing around the home, especially underground plumbing, is particularly susceptible to trouble as the weather changes and warms up.
One of the most common seasonal complaints with the plumbing during the spring is clogs in outdoor and underground plumbing. Recognizing the signs and avoiding the causes of outdoor plumbing blockages are important skills for a successful homeowner. This guide is a complete source of advice for underground plumbing blockages. By learning the signs and the causes, homeowners can avoid these problems or, at the very least, understand why plumbers do what they do when they fix these issues.
Recognizing Underground Plumbing Blockages
Outdoor plumbing is also called underground plumbing since it is buried deep for protection. Unfortunately, this trait also makes it difficult to realize when a blockage occurs. Recognizing the signs is key to preventing problems from getting worse. Here are the most common signs that outdoor plumbing clogs are present:
- Sewage backups in the home
- Wet spots on the lawn
- Landscape drains that leave the lawn soggy
- Foul odors
- Poor water pressure
- Sounds of running water below the turf
How Do Outdoor Plumbing Lines Clog?
One of the hallmarks of spring is the increased volume of rain that occurs. This, coupled with the thawing soils, means the ground surrounding the home is subject to expansion and contraction. All that soil movement can cause underground pipes to move, adversely affecting performance.
Along with shifting soils, spring rains can wash leaves and debris into landscape drains causing stubborn clogs. Trees also experience rapid growth that helps their roots find any flaw in sewer pipes. All of these can lead to outdoor plumbing blockages.
Here are some tips to help homeowners avoid the complications of outdoor plumbing blockages:
- Discard grease and food scraps in the trash bin
- Stop flushing non-flushable items
- Use hair-catchers in tub drains
- Have toilets inspected for proper flush volumes
- Collect and remove lawn debris especially leaves and grass clippings
- Clean the gutters
- Remove trees or shrubs near underground plumbing
Removing Nasty Clogs from Outdoor Plumbing
Despite diligently trying to avoid outdoor plumbing problems, sometimes they crop up anyway. While the situation may be a hassle, it isn’t hopeless. Plumbers have the tools and skills to fix nasty outdoor plumbing problems.
Plumbers use two main tools to deal with underground plumbing clogs: drain snakes and hydro jets. Both tools are time-tested and can help remove even the toughest clogs. Drain snakes, called “rooters,” are particularly suited to removing roots from sewer lines. Hydro jets excel at dealing with dirty sewer lines that are suffering from a buildup of grease and scum that make clogs more likely. With these tools, plumbers can solve problems quickly.
About Captain Rooter Emergency Plumbers Chicago
Captain Rooter Emergency Plumbers Chicago are available at all hours to deal with nasty outdoor plumbing clogs. They also offer a full slate of plumbing services along with drain service. Call today for state-of-the-art plumbing solutions in Chicago, IL.
