When Something Gets Flushed That Shouldn't Have

Occasionally, we get calls for more "unusual" situations. A toy or a valuable has been flushed down the drain and it's clogging the pipe, or a panicked homeowner is afraid to flush the toilet again as the water in the bowl continues to rise...  Is something that was flushed a goner? Not always. In fact, in many cases we've been able to help homeowners retrieve lost items with the help of a sewer cable or auger. Keep reading to learn more about the drain line cleaning options we offer, and see which is best for your every day septic backup or those unexpected missing toys! In need of emergency septic service in the Twin Tiers region? Contact us today.

Resolving a Clog or Backup with High Pressure Jetting
In the event that your sinks are draining slowly and your shower is filling up, it's likely you have a clog that will require high pressure jetting. A high pressure jet is used when you (or a plumber) is unable to resolve your clog with a "snake" or other DIY solutions. This is typically because the clog is much further down your pipes, or because the pipe has grown closed over time due to grease buildup and other debris.

A jetting system consists of a specialized hose reel confined to a truck or trailer. High pressure water from the hose can break down dirt, debris and grease buildup in your pipes. It's a highly efficient way to remove a clog and open drain lines, but it also has it's limitations. Because the hose reel and pressure system is attached to a truck or trailer, the technician servicing your pipes must be able to park closely to your home or business. 

Retrieving Lost Items or Removing a Clog with Cabling 

When it's not possible to get a hose reel into your home or business - in the event your problem is on the second floor, or your restaurant kitchen is on a lower level, we can address your problem with a sewer cable or auger. A cable is also a better option if you're trying to retrieve something from the drain line, for example, a toddler flushed something down the drain and you need it back. Or, there are times when adding more water to the line is not possible so a jet would be out of the question. In these situations, our technicians would use a sewer cable or auger to unclog your drain line and avoid a mess.

A sewer cable or auger is a coiled cable inside of a drum, attached to a motor that feeds the cable down the line. This can either "grab" the clog in your line or force it out of the pipe to get things flowing again. With the help of technology, we can insert our video camera line with the cable, to help locate a clog or the missing item that shouldn't have been flushed. We've used camera technology to help homeowners out of all kind of situations. Sometimes a clog isn't a clog at all - it's a tree root that's gotten into the drain line, obstructing the flow of waste water, or it's terrible grease buildup that's nearly closed the pipe altogether.

Whether you're dealing with grease buildup at your busy restaurant or your toilet is backing up due to a flushed Matchbox Car or Paw Patrol rescue vehicle, we can help. We've been in the septic business for over a decade, so contact us to request septic service today.