Serving the Ithaca, Elmira, Corning, Big Flats, Hector, Watkins, Waverly, and Owego NY areas
Blog Post
Who To Call: Plumber or Septic Service?
Clean Earth Septic • April 13, 2020
How to detect a sewer line clog and what to do next!
At Clean Earth Septic Service, we offer a variety of services from routine septic system maintenance
to line opening and grease trap pumping. If you're in a situation where you're not sure who to call -- a plumber or a septic company -- you're not the first. We receive a variety of calls about clogs or backups that can be hard to "self-diagnose." To better understand who to call to get your problem fixed, it helps to understand how a septic system works.
If your home is not connected to a septic system, your waste water flows directly to a sewer line where it is taken to a wastewater treatment facility. Typically, if your sink or shower is draining slowly the problem is a quick fix -- a clogged pipe that's full of hair, or a kitchen clog that can be fixed with a "snake" or a plunger. But occasionally, you'll need more than a plumber or a bottle of Draino. Below are three ways to detect a sewer line clog so you know exactly who to call to schedule line opening service in the Twin Tiers region.
Do you have multiple drains backing up?
If you have multiple drains backing up within your home, the problem is further down your pipes than just below the sink. Your shower, washing machine, dishwasher, kitchen sink and other faucets eventually go to the same place so there could be something causing a backup from any one of those water-users.
Does a plunger resolve the situation?
If a plunger can't resolve the situation or loosen things up, chances are you have a severe clog that is located further down your pipes. Check to make sure other sinks, showers and toilets are working properly because a severe clog can quickly cause other problems if not addressed in a timely manner.
Is there water overflowing from any clean-outs or vents?
If you spot water overflowing from any of your clean-outs or vents located outside of your home, chances are you definitely have a clog somewhere between your home and the main sewer line. A plumber does not typically have the equipment required to address a clog of this nature so you'll need to call a line-opening business or septic company like us.
If you answered, "yes" to all of the above, it's time to call a septic service/line opener!
Our professional line opening team can determine where the clog is located and use a high pressure water jet to break up debris and open up your pipes. If the issue is more complex, we can run our camera down the line to figure out exactly what is causing the blockage.
If you're experiencing a backup, contact us today for line opening service in Elmira, NY. We service the Twin Tiers region from Ithaca to Corning, Big Flats and beyond.
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Anthony F.
Horseheads, NY
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