Drainage Blockage Archives - Action Plumbing

The Benefits of Plumbing Cameras

March 15, 2021 By Action Plumbing

Efficiency is key when it comes to ensuring your plumbing job is done right. With the many technological advances we’ve had over recent years, there’s no doubt that one of the most beneficial was the introduction of video cameras into the commercial plumber’s arsenal of professional tools.

Before plumbing cameras, it was impossible to see exactly what was happening inside your pipes without excavation. Not only is excavation extremely expensive, but it can damage the environment. This is why so many commercial plumbing problems go ignored or simply treated ineffectively, causing more damage and costly problems down the road.

Fortunately, there’s a better solution these days thanks to sewer camera inspections.

Why Are Plumbing Cameras So Effective?

Today, plumbing cameras give us the flexibility and maneuverability of a plumbing snake along with the major benefit of actually being able to see what’s going on inside your pipe. This makes locating problems like leaks and clogs easier than ever before.

Although cameras aren’t used for every job, in many instances they can help to keep down costs and eliminate the guesswork that typically came along with performing many similar jobs in the past. It’s the best way to diagnose and ensure that a problem has been solved by performing the proper repair job.

There are many instances when a plumbing camera is the right choice for your needs, some of which include:

When you’re unsure about the extent of damage you’re facing or what’s causing the problem in the first place.
When you’re doing a remodel and you don’t have the blueprints needed for a plumbing installation.
When you can’t find a leak using traditional methods.
When you’re experiencing a blockage in your business’ drains, such as grease buildup
When you’re buying a building and you want to be 100% certain that there is no plumbing issue.

Don’t forget that unknown issues are often the reason the small plumbing jobs turn into big plumbing jobs, and although a plumbing camera won’t scale down the amount of work to be completed, it will ensure that your plumber is accurately diagnosing any issues and performing the best repair work possible.

If you would like to find out more about the benefits of sewer cameras or about how our commercial plumbing professionals utilize the most modern technologies available to get your job done right the first time, contact one of our representatives today.

How Clogged Gutters Can Cause a Flood

October 30, 2017 By Action Plumbing

Whether you’ve just climbed up a ladder to start working on those Christmas lights or you’re admiring the handiwork of that one neighbor who always manages to get his lights up before you’ve even thought about it, chances are you’ve noticed a few (or more) of those pesky leaves poking out of the gutters. Not only are those clogs unsightly, but they can lead to some serious damage that can take a sizeable chunk out of your holiday budget.

Cleaning your gutters may seem like a pain, but it’s well worth it in the long run. You’d be surprised to find out what’s really hiding in there, including common (and not-so-common) things like:

Leaves
Twigs
Rocks
Plastic bags
Nests
Other Miscellaneous garbage

Most people are concerned about a hard rain, but clogged gutters actually allow the water to pool, creating the potential for serious water damage. The first thing at risk is your roof, affecting your roofline, shingles, and fascia. And if you’ve ever had to pay for a roof repair in the past, you already know how costly it can be.

When it does pour, these clogged drains quickly overflow, flooding the areas right next to your business’s foundation. Repeated instances of such flooding can carve out trenches in the ground and cause damage to your foundation, which inevitably leads to basement flooding.

The good news is … it doesn’t take a lot to maintain your gutters. With just two regular cleanings a year you can keep the extra debris to a minimum. The bad news is … cleaning your gutters can be a messy, dangerous job, especially for those who aren’t comfortable with heights or unable to climb tall ladders. This is why so many people hire a professional to come in and get the job done.

If you’d like to find out how Action Plumbing can assist you with your regularly scheduled gutter cleanings, reach out to a one of our representatives today. We’re here to help you keep your plumbing on track anytime of year!

Preventative Maintenance Contract

October 18, 2017 By Action Plumbing

If you wait until you experience a leak, flood, or another unexpected disaster to call your plumber, you’ll often find that many of your problems could have easily been avoided. Preventative maintenance is the key to keeping your business’s plumbing running as smoothly and efficiently as possible, and Action Plumbing is here to help you keep everything on track with our expert services.

Now is the time to talk with an Action Plumbing expert about the possibility of arranging a preventative maintenance contract in order to get ahead of pesky plumbing issues before they wreak havoc. Preventative maintenance contracts can include a wide variety of services, and some of the most popular include:

Drain Cleaning

Regularly scheduled drain cleaning or sewer jetting is an important part of preventative maintenance to help you avoid a flooded basement, sewer backups, costly repairs, and the disruption of day to day activities in your business. These services involve cleaning your plumbing lines in order to remove any build-up or debris including grease, sludge, leaves, and other inhibitors.

Camera Inspections

Utilizing this high tech tool, our Action Plumbing experts can locate potential problems quickly and efficiently while keeping your costs down through extensive diagnostics. A camera inspection allows our plumbers much more flexibility and makes finding clogs or more serious problems like broken and leaking pipes a more direct process. A camera inspection is vital for ensuring you have the most in-depth look into what’s really going on in your pipes and sewer.

Catch Basin Cleaning

The most important use of a catch basin is to keep your local water supply free of debris like leaves, sticks, rocks, garbage, and much more. Unfortunately, these materials can build up quickly, which is why it’s important to have your catch basins maintained on a regular basis. Professionals often rely on an industry-standard vacuum to remove debris, while also relying on shovels and other devices.

With a contract for regularly scheduled preventative maintenance, you don’t need to worry about when these types of services need to be performed in order to keep your plumbing in good standing. To find out more about Action Plumbing’s preventive maintenance contract offerings, contact one of our experts today.

How to Clean Your Garbage Disposal

August 14, 2016 By Action Plumbing

Garbage disposals may provide a lot of benefits, with convenience being at the top of the list. There’s no doubt that throwing your food scraps down the drain is better than dumping them in the trash to rot and stink. If you’re like many homeowners, you use your garbage disposal at least once a day. But the question is … how often do you clean it and are you sure you’re cleaning it properly?

Why Clean Your Disposal

Regularly cleaning your garbage disposal will help prevent any nasty odors from wafting out of the drain. It also helps to avoid problems causing clogs and other costly plumbing issues. Believe it or not, the items you decide to put down your disposal can actually help keep the machinery clean. They can also help with the disposal’s upkeep and maintenance.

Acceptable Items to Dispose

Biodegradable foods and tiny scraps
Chicken, fish, and other small bones act as a scrubbing agent for internal parts
Ice cubes also scour the inner disposal
Deodorize and freshen with orange, lemon, or lime peels

Unacceptable Items to Dispose

Absorbent foods like rice or pasta
Beef bones, pork bones, or other large bones
Any items that will clog drains or pipes like eggshells or coffee grounds
Starchy foods like banana peels and potato peels
Grease and fat clogs drains and coats pipes and blades

If you’ve been grinding items deemed acceptable, chances are good that you’ve already been caring for your disposal without even realizing it. The best way to keep a disposal clean is to use it regularly, as unused disposal will often experience odors, clogs, and stubborn build-up.

In the event that you do have a minor clog, clearing it yourself is often easy enough. By just turning the blades using a small wrench, you can manually rotate the internal gears safely from the outside. Never use any type of chemical cleaners and only attempt to remove visible clogs by manually turning the blades or using a long pair of pliers. NEVER put your hand down into the garbage disposal … EVER!

If you have a stubborn clog or have any questions about proper garbage disposal cleaning techniques, contact Action Plumbing today for help!

The Benefits of Camera Sewer Inspections

February 22, 2016 By Action Plumbing

benefits of camera sewer inspections Tough to find blockages in your sewer can not only cause you a lot of unexpected issues … they can be a real headache for a do-it-yourself plumber. You know there must be a problem with your plumbing when all the usual signs are presented, like gurgling, knocking, or back-ups. Still you press on, insisting that you’ll eventually find the blockage, until you eventually break down and hire a professional who has the ability to locate your blockage with the use of professional equipment like a camera.

When is Camera Sewer Inspection Necessary?

If traditional blockage detection doesn’t work, professional plumbers will use a camera to pinpoint the exact location of the problem and find the most efficient and strategic way to resolve the issue. This is incredibly important to you, the property owner, for several reasons:

camera sewer inspection saves you time
camera sewer inspection saves you aggravation
camera sewer inspection saves you money in the long run

What’s Involved with a Camera Sewer Inspection?

Basically, it is an inspection utilizing a brightly lit snake with a very small camera attached to its head. Action Plumbing’s expert technicians carefully maneuver the snake through your pipes until they are able to locate the hard to find blockage. Because the snake is incredibly flexible, our team can easily maneuver around the many twists and bends of your system to find even the smallest items or valuables, including lost jewelry.

If you or someone you know is having difficulty locating a blockage, contact Action Plumbing today to speak with one of our qualified representatives to find out more about how camera sewer inspection can help solve your problem fast.