Let’s face it. Sometimes, we get a little lazy and we don’t do things by the book. Sometimes, our indifference and bad habits can come back to bite us, especially with a sensitive and delicately balanced system like the home sewer. Here are some typical bad home habits that can cause sewer issues, and some tips for avoiding them.

Flushing Foreign Objects

Your sewer is designed to handle organic waste and toilet tissue, not other discarded elements. People often flush things like cotton swabs, baby wipes, and feminine hygiene products, but those foreign objects tend to catch and build up in the sewer line, leading to clogs and backups. Stick to what your system was designed for, and you shouldn’t run into any issues.

Digging Deeply

Whether planting a tree, building a fence or outbuilding, digging a plot for a garden, or letting kids burn energy with an impromptu backyard treasure hunt, there’s a chance of hitting water lines. In most cases, water lines are at least two feet beneath the surface of the soil, but settling earth, landscaping changes, or inaccurate measurements can reduce that depth considerably. Besides, it’s not unheard of for children to hatch overzealous plots to dig to the center of the earth. Breaching these lines can cause major issues with erosion, flooding, and even overwhelm the public sewer system. Public sewers can back up into your home and cause big problems.

Avoiding issues with buried lines is as easy as calling 811, the utility location service. They’ll tell you where gas, electric, and water lines are so you don’t cause yourself the headache of flooded basements or no running water.

Blissful Ignorance

For most people, the sewer is out of sight and out of mind. Until trouble arises, that is. We understand that a sewer isn’t the most fun or exciting part of home chores. But it’s an important and central element of the wellbeing of your home and your family. Have your fixtures and lines checked every year and a half or so—especially in advance of expected heavy storms. That way, you’ll catch small problems before they become big problems and stay on top of your sewer’s health.

What can you do about sewer issues?

Maybe you haven’t been so on-top of your home habits, and one of these sewer issues has cropped up. We proudly serve homeowners in Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, Redmond, and beyond. If you’ve got a project in mind or need inspection or servicing for existing plumbing, contact us for further information and help with your problems.

For more urgent appointments, Best Plumbing offers 24/7 emergency burst pipe repair services. Simply call our emergency hotline (206) 800-7822 and we’ll be there to get the issue solved.

Serving the communities of Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Burien, Everett, Woodinville, Redmond, Federal Way, Kent, Issaquah, Renton, SeaTac, Bothell, and Lynnwood.

Are you experiencing issues with your home’s plumbing in Seattle, Washington? Not every plumber is equally qualified and experienced. Whether you have a leaky faucet or need extensive sewer repairs, it’s important to find a plumber you can trust. Don’t assume the first company you find is the best option. Keep these helpful tips in mind as you begin your search for reliable plumbing services in Seattle.

1. Talk to People You Know

If you’re looking for a professional plumbing company, the best place to start is with people you know. Spend some time talking with people in your life about local plumbers they’ve worked with in the past.

2. Research Your Options

Recommendations from family, friends, and neighbors can be extremely helpful, but they aren’t everything. Make sure you take some time to do your own research making your final decision.  Any legitimate plumbing operation will be licensed, bonded, and insured. The insurance is critical and will provide you added peace of mind that any damages would be covered if a worst-case scenario happens during repairs.

3. Research The Services They Offer

Not every plumbing company is the same. Some only offer in-home plumbing repairs, while others offer greater expertise that extends to water heaters and even sewer line repair. When you call, ask them about their experience with the job you need done. If you sense any hesitation on their end, move on. Best Plumbing offers a wide variety of services, including plumbing fixture installation, hot water heater repair, and sewer and rooter assistance.

4. Look At Reviews

While you’re researching your various options, it’s important to pay particular attention to previous customer reviews. Here at Best Plumbing, we’re proud to have hundreds of 5-star reviews from satisfied customers.

5. Do They Have 24-Hour Availability?

Knowing what kind of response times a plumber offers is important. If you discover a burst pipe in the middle of the night, it’s critical to know whether you can have this remedied right then and there. Best Plumbing offers 24/7 emergency burst pipe repair services. Simply call our emergency hotline (206) 800-7822 and we’ll be there to get the issue solved.

If you’re looking for an expert plumber in Seattle, Washington, contact or stop by Best Plumbing today. We’re the one-stop, all-service, plumbing solution for residents in the Puget Sound area. We’re here to help, all day every day.

Expert Plumbers in Seattle

Serving the communities of Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Burien, Everett, Woodinville, Redmond, Everett, Federal Way, Kent, Issaquah, Renton, SeaTac, Bothell, and Lynnwood

Issues with sewer lines can take many forms, but all of them can lead to major damage if not dealt with quickly. We’ve outlined a few common issues we’ve seen time and again in the field.

Blockage

When flushed items fail to flow through your sewer line properly, they can build up and eventually cause a blockage. So-called “flushable” items like single-use wipes, diapers, paper towels, and tissues often block up sewer lines and can lead to damage. Your sewer line will show signs of blockage long before a major event occurs. Slow drains, water draining from one fixture to another, and bubbling sounds in pipes are may be signs of a sewer blockage. If you notice any of these, give Best Plumbing a call immediately as it could be a sign of potential sewer failure.

Tree Root Damage

Trees are a staple of any yard, but they can do major damage to your sewer line. Tree roots will spread and grow to get the water they need, especially during the summer months. If these roots get near your sewer line, they can cause blockages or fully collapse the pipes over time. You can help prevent this by regularly watering your trees during warmer months and planting any new trees away from your sewer lines.

Pipe Deterioration

Deteriorating or corroding pipes are especially common in older homes.  Homes without a PVC-based sewer line are likelier to need a sewer line replacement. Sewer line integrity declines over decades, with iron or copper pipes needing to be replaced between every 30-50 years. It’s difficult to predict when problems will arise; regular inspections and maintenance are critical so you can get ahead of any issues.

In many cases, it will be cheaper in the long run to have your sewer lines replaced instead of repairing them, especially when it comes to tree root damage and pipe corrosion. While patchwork can help remediate the situation in the short term, we can’t guarantee that issues won’t come up again. 

Best Plumbing has been serving residents in the greater Puget Sound area since 1968. If you need help repairing, installing, or maintaining your sewer line then give us a call. In addition to our normal hours, we are available 24/7 for emergency services. We’re here to help you with all of your plumbing needs!