A home full of visitors and you are concerned the plumbing may not hold up? You may be asking yourself what is behind a sewer backup with the kitchen in full swing and the bathrooms in constant use, or how to put your mind at ease for a trouble-free holiday.
We can help with that. The Warrell family has been in the plumbing business for more than 35 years and our plumbers put that experience to work on every job we do. As a family-run operation, NexGen Plumbing & Drains sees to it that the drains and sewer lines of homeowners in Levittown and Lower Bucks County are in good order. For some guidance, pick up the phone at (267) 802-2349.
The season puts a strain on a system that is already labelling harder than one might think; there is the additional cooking and laundry and the number of showers. And should a backup occur in the middle of a gathering, it is about as messy an affair as a house can have. With some forethought though, most are avoidable.
Why the Holidays Take Their Toll on the Sewer Line
From septic to the municipal main, your sewer line is tasked with taking everything from the house’s drains. It is no trouble at all on an ordinary day. A large party alters the equation.
What you will see go awry of late:
- Toilets, sinks and showers being put to use by more people in a short time.
- All the cooking in the kitchen putting grease, fat and scraps into the drain.
- An older line or one with partial blockages caving in to the demand.
- Guests putting things in the toilet they ought not to.
- Roots from trees that have made their way into the pipe over the years.
Put any of these together and the waste will make its way back into the house. Not the kind of holiday you want to be put in mind of.
Preventative Measures Before Your Guests Come
You are better off nipping a backup in the bud. Some straightforward habits will do much to leave your line unobstructed.
As you get ready, observe the following:
- Do not be in the habit of pouring oil, grease or fat down the drain; let it harden and put it with the trash.
- Even with a disposal, scrape plates in the garbage first.
- Use cold water with the disposal and do not put too much on it.
- Have a small can in the bathroom for wipes or paper towels so guests do not feel inclined to flush them.
- Stagger the laundry and the showering to spare the system.
- Be on the lookout for water coming up in the tub when the sink is on, gurgling from the toilet or a slow drain.
Such signs are telling. They can be days ahead of a complete backup. Better to put an end to it then than to have to clean up later.
When Your Sewer Line Is in Jeopardy
Older homes with a past of drain issues or a yard full of big trees are susceptible. The holidays could be the last straw.
Red flags to note:
- Several drains at once are sluggish.
- Water in the basement floor drains.
- The smell of sewage in the yard or from a drain.
- Running the washer or dishwasher makes the toilet bubble.
- You clear a backup only to have it return.
If a number of fixtures are giving you grief it is generally the main line that is at fault and you would do well to have a pro take a look.
The Value of a Camera Inspection
There is no substitute for seeing for yourself what is inside the line. Our in-house camera work lets us put our finger on the issue, be it roots, damage or a build up of grease. We give you a straight answer without any fees you did not expect.
If you have not had the line cleared in some time, it is prudent to have it done before the big event. One can clean a drain on a quiet weekday much more easily than with the oven full and a backup to contend with.
Call (267) 802-2349 to set up a drain cleaning or inspection with NexGen Plumbing & Drains and not have the season spoiled by a sewer backup. We are licensed and insured and provide free estimates to the families and businesses of Lower Bucks County. Our doors are open Monday to Friday from 8:00am until 5:00pm, so get in touch and enjoy the holidays without a care.
