Everything to Know About Outdoor and Underground Plumbing Blockages
Clogs in outdoor or underground piping systems can cause severe damage and create a major inconvenience. If left unchecked, clogged pipes can lead to flooding, widespread property damage, unsanitary conditions, costly repairs, and more. Water backed up from clogged outdoor pipes often seeps into the ground or overflows onto the lawn. Clogs in underground pipes are even more difficult to identify and diagnose because they cannot be seen directly; instead, indications of a problem will likely appear at the surface or via strange sounds emanating from below.
It is essential to identify and act on clogs quickly to prevent further damage, avoid costly repairs, and help prevent some of these issues. This post will share signs of underground plumbing blockages, what can cause them, and the processes plumbers use to remove them.
Signs of Outdoor Clogs
It’s crucial to call a professional for help at the first signs of underground plumbing clogs to avoid extensive water damage and expensive repairs at a house or property. Some symptoms of a clog to watch out for are slow drains and backed-up toilets or sinks. If homeowners notice water coming up through their sinks, toilets, or other drains, it can indicate a blockage in the line.
Other common signs of clogs in the underground plumbing are foul odors coming from drains or signs of flooding in the yard. If there are soggy spots or puddles in the grass of a yard, it can indicate a blockage. Additionally, if a water line is clogged, it can cause low water pressure. Once any sign of a blockage in the pipes is noticed, homeowners should contact plumbers to fix it.
How Pipes Clog
Pipes can suffer clogs due to a variety of reasons. For one, mineral deposits from hard water can build up and form blockages in water lines. Sewer line clogs can form when hair, dirt, grease, foreign objects, or other debris accumulate in the pipes. As these materials build up over time, they can cause blockages, resulting in slow drains and backups. Additionally, tree roots growing into the piping can cause clogs.
It is essential to regularly inspect pipes for signs of clogs and take steps to prevent them from forming. To prevent clogs, homeowners should avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper down their toilets and pouring cooking grease or oil down their drains. Root barriers can also be installed to help prevent clogs from tree roots.
Clearing Tough Clogs
It’s essential to act quickly as soon as signs of clogs are noticed. The first step needs to be to call a plumber. A trained, experienced professional can locate and remove the clog easily with special equipment and recommend ways to prevent outdoor plumbing clogs in the future.
Depending on the severity of the blockage, a technician may use a variety of ways to remove the clog. Some common drain cleaning methods are:
- Drain snaking: With a drain snake, a technician will push a metal cable through the pipe until it gets to the clog. It will keep working on the clog until it is eliminated.
- Hydro jetting: During this technique, a professional will use a heavy, pressurized stream of water to remove the blockage. These are efficient at clearing tough clogs.
About Postma Heating & Cooling
Postma Heating & Cooling is a family owned company serving Chatham-Kent, ON, and the surrounding areas since 1989. They provide flat rate pricing, same-day service, and the latest technology. Call them today for drain cleaning services in Chatham-Kent, ON.
