How to Treat a Clogged Drain

It’s easy to take indoor plumbing for granted – until a pipe clogs and your sink no longer drains properly. When you’re faced with a clogged drain, your first instinct might be to reach for a bottle of chemical drain opener. However, this harsh product can eat through your pipes with repeated use.

Fortunately, there are safer ways to treat a clogged drain. All you need are a few inexpensive tools, and you should be able to clear the clog without help from a plumber.

Check Several Plumbing Fixtures

It’s possible for hair, food scraps, soap scum and other debris to clog a single bathtub or sink. But just to be sure, check other drains as well. If they are also clogged, this could mean the main sewer drain is clogged, or your septic tank is not functioning properly.

If you have multiple clogged drains, call a plumbing professional to diagnose the source of the problem. If only one drain is clogged, move on to the next steps.

Try to Clear the Clogged Drain Yourself

Every homeowner should have a few basic drain-clearing tools at their disposal. You can find these at your local hardware or home improvement store. Attempt to clear the clog with these tips:

• Check the sink trap: Kitchen and bathroom sinks feature a curved pipe that continually holds water to keep sewer gases from seeping into your home. This is called a trap, and blockages often occur here. Unscrew this section of pipe and dump the contents into a bucket. Reattach the trap and see if the sink drains better now.
• Plunge the drain: Plungers are useful for more than unclogging toilets – they also work with most tubs and sinks as well. If the drain has a pop-up stopper, remove it. Then, stuff a wet rag into the overflow drain. Rub petroleum jelly along the lip of the plunger. Run water into the sink and plunge firmly up and down several times in a row. Lift the plunger, see if the water is draining freely, and repeat as necessary.
• Use a cable auger: Also called a plumbing snake, this long, flexible steel cable is useful for clearing clogs further down the pipe. Remove the stopper from the sink and feed the cable down the drain until you reach the clog. Rotate the auger using the attached hand crank to help it loosen the obstruction. Then, continue feeding the cable as far as it will go. Once you think you’ve cleared the clog, wind the cable back up and dispose of any debris it retrieved.

Call a Plumber

If your attempts to clear a clogged drain prove fruitless, contact A-1 Septic Tank Service online or call us at (510) 886-4455 to schedule drain cleaning, septic tank pumping or other waste disposal services for your home or business.

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The Benefits of Hydro-jet Cleaning

Indoor plumbing is an amazing modern invention but, unfortunately, all pipes are susceptible to clogs. Drain obstructions can range from hair and soap scum to cooking grease and mineral deposits. Even intrusive tree roots can block sewer lines.

The traditional method for removing blockages is to use a plumbing snake, also called a plumbing auger. This metal cable with blades or a corkscrew attached to the end breaks up clogs relatively close to the drain, but it’s not infallible. When a plumbing snake isn’t enough, it’s time to try hydro-jet cleaning.

What is Hydro-jet Cleaning?

A hydro-jet is a hose connected to a machine that pressurizes water and sends a powerful stream shooting out of a specialized nozzle at up to 60,000 psi. This is used to clear out grease, hair, soap scum, mineral buildup and other debris from the drain. A powerful enough hydro-jet can even break up tree roots that have invaded the pipe.

Reasons to Schedule Hydro-jet Cleaning

While you can use a plumbing snake without special training, hydro-jet cleaning should be performed by a professional plumber. Even though it’s not a do-it-yourself task, the service is well worth it when you consider the benefits:

• Clean, don’t just unclog your pipes: Snaking a drain is effective for some types of clogs, but it’s a temporary fix at best. Hydro-jet cleaning is much more thorough because, instead of merely punching a hole through an obstruction, it washes away every bit of debris in the pipe. This way, the formation of a future blockage takes much longer, so you can enjoy free-flowing pipes for several years after hydro-jet cleaning is performed.
• Skip the chemicals: In desperation, many homeowners resort to using chemical drain cleaners to eat away at pipe obstructions. Unfortunately, this is often ineffective, environmentally damaging, and harmful to your pipes when done repeatedly. Hydro-jet cleaning uses nothing but pure, high-pressure water to powerfully wash away all signs of residue and make your pipes function like new again.
• Safeguard your plumbing: You might be nervous about using a high-pressure system to clear out your pipes, but hydro-jet cleaning is specifically engineered not to damage pipes, fittings, and other plumbing components. Rest assured that the process is not only effective but also safe for use in residential and commercial plumbing systems.

If you think your home or business is a good candidate for hydro-jet cleaning, contact A-1 Septic Tank Service online or call us at (510) 886-4455. We provide various waste disposal services, including septic tank pumping, grease trap cleaning and more, so schedule the services you need for your home or business today.

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Signs That Your Septic Tank May Need Repairs

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If you have a septic system, it’s important to watch for signs that you may need septic tank repair. The best way to keep the system running smoothly is to schedule a septic tank pumping and visual septic tank inspections at least once every three years. The more you use your plumbing fixtures and appliances, the more you need to pump your septic tank. However, if you notice any of the following problems, disregard the recommended schedule and call for septic tank pumping and evaluation right away.

Sewage Smell in Your House or Yard

When your septic system is operating normally, all gases, liquids and solids remain contained within the pipes and tank. You shouldn’t detect a sewage smell anywhere on your property.

If you notice a bad odor in your yard, it could be coming from the drain field. This is a sign that the drain field needs to be evaluated and may need to be repaired. If the smell is coming from inside the house, this is an early sign of a sewage backup. Call our professionals for septic tank repair without delay to avoid this emergency!

Backed-Up Toilet or Sink

If you ignore sewer smells within your house and continue to use your plumbing fixtures like normal, the odors could soon be accompanied by a backed-up toilet or sink. This is a sure sign that your septic tank is damaged or overloaded and needs to be repaired. A sewage backup is a real plumbing emergency because if wastewater starts flowing into your house, it could cause serious water damage and cost thousands of dollars to clean up.

Slow-Draining Sinks and Tubs

A single clogged drain is nothing to panic about. There might simply be a blockage in the pipe from hair or food waste, which a plumbing auger can usually remedy. However, if you notice that all the sinks, bathtubs, and showers are draining slowly, your septic tank may be starting to back up or a pipe may be damaged. Service your slow drains promptly to avoid a worse plumbing problem.

Wet Spots or Bright Green Grass on the Drain Field

Walk around your yard often to check for wet spots. If you notice standing water even though it hasn’t rained for awhile, this is a sign that your drain field is not functioning properly.

Another curious side effect of a malfunctioning septic tank is healthy, green grass. A slight sewage leak might not be enough to form puddles, but it delivers higher nutrient content to your lawn, allowing it to grow fast and green. While this may seem like a benefit, ignoring it could allow the leak to worsen and cause more damage to your yard and home.

If you notice any of these signs of trouble, contact A-1 Septic Tank Service online or call us at (510) 886-4455 to schedule septic tank repair for your home or business. We also provide septic tank pumping, grease trap cleaning and other waste disposal services.

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Septic Tank Installation Basics

If you live in a rural community or another setting where municipal wastewater treatment isn’t available, you can still enjoy everything that indoor plumbing has to offer by installing a septic system. Professional septic tank installation sets up your system to last for decades, provided you keep up with regular septic tank pumping and maintenance.

If it’s time to replace your septic tank, or you’re installing one for the first time on your new property, you may be curious about the septic tank installation process. Here are the steps a professional takes when completing the job.

Design the Septic System

The ideal location for your septic system depends on the available space on your property, features of the terrain, soil composition and locations of nearby wells. An on-site survey helps your plumber pinpoint the best places for the tank and drain field.

Then, the size of the system depends on your anticipated water use and the size of the home or business the tank will service. All of these considerations must be factored into the design of the septic system.

Apply for Permits

With the design complete, your plumber can apply for the necessary permits. Upon receiving approval from your local jurisdiction, the septic tank installation can commence.

Remove the Old Septic Tank, if Necessary

If you’re replacing an existing tank, it must be removed to make way for the new one. This is a delicate process requiring knowledge of heavy equipment operation. Keep in mind that additional digging may be needed to accommodate a new tank and pipes, especially if you’re upgrading to a larger size. However, if there’s room to install a new tank without removing the old one, the old tank can be abandoned in place.

Excavate

It’s necessary to dig a hole large enough to house the septic tank as well as tracks for drainage pipes in the drain field. Your plumber is careful to preserve as much of the landscape as possible during this process.

Install the Tank and Pipes

The tank is lowered into the hole, and all associated plumbing and drainage pipes are installed. Gravel is also packed around the pipes to hold them steady and to assist in draining.

It’s important for the inlet pipes to slant downward continuously toward the septic tank, but the slope can’t be too great or solids may be left behind in the pipe. The outlet pipes need to slant downward toward the drain field. Careful planning and execution by an experienced professional ensure the desired outcome.

Bury the Septic System

With the septic tank installation complete, the final step is to fill in the areas around the tank and pipes to hide them from view. We recommend marking the location of the septic tank and drain field with rocks, flags or potted plants to ease future maintenance and prevent accidental damage.

If you’re interested in scheduling septic tank installation for your home or business, please contact A-1 Septic Tank Service online or call us at (510) 886-4455. We perform other waste disposal services as well, including septic tank pumping, grease trap cleaning and more.

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How to Conserve Water & Protect Your Septic System

Water conservation is a priority for many people today, but if your home relies on a septic system for waste disposal, decreasing your daily water use is even more important. By tweaking your normal activities a bit, you can extend the life of your septic tank. Here are some easy ways to conserve water and protect your septic system.

Shorten Your Showers

A long, hot shower may feel rejuvenating, but it doesn’t do your septic tank any favors. Shorten your showers to five or 10 minutes long to keep your water consumption at just 10 to 25 gallons per shower.

Install Low-Flow Fixtures

The EPA’s WaterSense program helps consumers find energy-efficient plumbing fixtures. When you install a septic system, consider upgrading to low-flow toilets, showerheads and faucets as well. Energy Star dishwashers and washing machines are also worthwhile upgrades, not only because they conserve energy to lower your utility bills, but because they reduce water consumption with every load.

Use Your Dishwasher & Washing Machine Wisely

Whether you install new appliances or not, operate them with water conservation in mind. This means only running full batches or adjusting the water settings if you run a partial load.

You should also spread batches out over the week rather than doing several in one day. This gives solids and grease particles time to separate properly in the tank while also allowing the absorption area to keep pace with the volume of wastewater flowing in.

Check for Plumbing Leaks

A slowly dripping faucet or running toilet may not seem like a big deal, but these problems could add 10 gallons or more per day to your septic tank. Repairing or replacing a leaky faucet or toilet is a simple task that can help protect your septic system.

Other plumbing leaks are harder to find. To make sure no pipes or hoses are leaking without your knowledge, take a quick reading of your water meter. Then, refrain from turning on faucets or flushing toilets for two hours. Check the meter again, and if the reading has changed, you have a leak. Hire a plumber to find the hidden cause.

Reduce Outdoor Water Use

Although the water you use outside doesn’t end up in the septic tank, it’s important not to over-saturate the absorption area so it can properly treat and drain your home’s wastewater. To reduce outdoor water use:

• Only irrigate the lawn when it no longer springs back after you step on it.
• Use plants native to the area that require less water.
• Use a pistol-type sprayer nozzle on your garden hose to adjust the flow and shut off the water between tasks.
• Sweep grass clippings off the driveway and sidewalk after mowing instead of hosing them off.

If you are in need of septic tank pumping, grease trap cleaning or any other waste disposal service, contact A-1 Septic Tank Service online or call us at (510) 886-4455 to schedule service for your home or business.

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FAQs About Clogged Bathtubs

When your bathtub drain becomes clogged, it’s hard to miss. As you shower, the water starts inching up around your ankles until you’re standing in a murky, several-inch-deep pool of water. It doesn’t take long before showering becomes unbearable.

Dealing with a clogged bathtub tends to generate a few important questions. You can find the answers to these FAQs here.

Why is my bathtub clogged?

The most common reasons for a bathtub drain to clog include:

• Hair: When you wash your hair, some strands detach and wash down the drain. Over time, great wads of hair can accumulate in the pipe and cause the tub to drain slowly.
• Soap scum: It may seem like soap simply washes away down the drain, but after dozens or even hundreds of showers, soap scum starts to accumulate on the inside of the pipes. Chunks of soap cause blockages to build up even faster.
• Septic system problems: If you have a septic tank, a clogged bathtub could indicate trouble in the waste disposal system, so don’t ignore this problem.

How do I clear my clogged bathtub drain?

Assuming the individual drain is to blame and not the overall septic system, you should be able to clear the clogged bathtub yourself. Skip the drain opening chemicals and opt instead for a plunger and a plumbing snake.

Start by plunging the drain:

• Remove the pop-up stopper if the tub has one.
• Rub petroleum jelly along the lip of the plunger.
• Run water into the tub and plunge firmly up and down several times in a row.
• Lift the plunger and see if the water drains freely.
• Repeat as necessary.

If a plunger doesn’t do the trick, try a plumbing snake:

• Remove the pop-up stopper if the tub has one.

• Feed the cable down the drain until you reach the clog.
• Rotate the crank to spin the cable and loosen the obstruction.
• Continue feeding the cable as far as it will go.
• Once you think the clog is clear, wind the cable back up and dispose of any debris it retrieved.

Do I need a professional to unclog my bathtub drain?

If you attempt to clear the clogged bathtub yourself without success, it’s time to call a plumber for help. This professional can diagnose the exact cause and perform the most effective, long-lasting fix.

How do I prevent the bathtub drain from clogging?

Once your tub is flowing freely again, you want to keep it that way. Here’s how:

• Brush your hair before you shower or bathe.
• Install a mesh drain cover to keep soap and hair out of the drain.
• Empty dirty mop water outside, not in the tub.
• Pour a gallon of boiling water down the bathtub drain once a month.

The next time you need drain cleaning, septic tank pumping, or other waste disposal services, contact A-1 Septic Tank Service online or call us at (510) 886-4455 to schedule service for your home or business.

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