That is why it is important to have a reputable sewer and drain cleaning company in Colorado Springs that residents can count on to come and inspect the plumbing in their older homes. 

Here are the 4 most common problems found in older homes.

1. Outdated Pipe Materials

Older homes could have pipes made from materials that no longer meet U.S. building code requirements. Renovations in older homes often result in replaced pipes, but it is still a good idea to have them inspected in order to avoid issues that could require emergency drain cleaning. 

Outdated pipes often include these materials: 

• Lead 
• Galvanized metal
• Polybutylene

Lead is found in pipe construction done before 1986. Once considered the most durable material available, we now know it is highly toxic.

Polybutylene was heavily used from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s. Unfortunately, oxidants in public water caused it to deteriorate.

Galvanized pipes found in homes built before the 1960s erode over time and break down.

2. Pipe Bellies

Pipes can be found under the house in the ground or in a concrete slab. As time progresses, a house shifts and moves. If this motion causes the pipes to shift downward, it creates a slope called a “belly.” 

Pipe bellies can restrict the flow of water. The result can be pools of water that fill with sediment and unpleasant waste. If this is left unrepaired by a sewer repair company, you could be facing leaks and stoppages.

3. Sewer Line Failure

Homeowners don’t usually think about their sewer line until a problem occurs. 

Sewer lines are heavily used. Older homes designed before our modern appliances came along can’t handle our current needs. 

Today’s dishwashers, garbage disposals, and toilets force more water into the line than the older systems can handle. This makes older sewer lines susceptible to failure. Other enemies of an older sewer line include tree roots and ground shifting.

4. Old Fixtures and Connections

Older homes usually have supply line connections, faucets, and other fixtures that are near the end of their life spans. 

Typical use can cause broken knobs, restricted water flow, and leaks over time. This makes using the water inconvenient and can lead to expensive emergencies. Preventative maintenance can impede a disaster from occurring.

Have Your Pipes Inspected

When looking for a reputable sewer and drain cleaning company in Colorado Springs, reach out to Whitney Sewer & Drain Cleaning. 

Our experts can locate potential problems and have them repaired so that you can avoid the expense and inconvenience of a plumbing emergency.

Contact us for a sewer and drain inspection today!

The post The Top Plumbing Problems in Older Homes appeared first on Whitney Sewer.

Problematic sewer lines can be catastrophic circumstances.

Help your Colorado Springs home’s drainage system stay in tip-top shape while keeping your home running better than ever. 

Here are 4 sewer maintenance tips to help you avoid a crisis.

1. Watch What You Put Down Your Disposal

If you’re guilty of shoving everything on your plate down the garbage disposal you’re not alone. 

Many believe that because it’s called a “garbage disposal” they can put anything down the sink, unfortunately that is not the case. 

While garbage disposals can help you get rid of some garbage that would stink up your home, such as certain veggies, small fish bones, and more; there are actually many types of food that you can’t put down the garbage disposal.

Check out our blog on what you can & can’t put down your garbage disposal.

2. Use a Sink Strainer

If your sink doesn’t come with a garbage disposal, or even if it does, buying and using a sink strainer is a great way to help prevent clogs.

Even if you try to get every scrap into the garbage and are cautious about what you put down the disposal — things tend to slip by occasionally leading to a catastrophe.

This is where the sink strainer comes in. 

By catching all of those stray pieces of food before they go down the sink you will be keeping your drainage system running smoothly.

3. Plan Your Landscaping 

Did you know your landscaping projects can greatly impact your sewers and drains?

Planting trees outside of your home can not only increase the value of your home, new trees can give your home shade, and provide curb appeal; however, trees can also do significant damage to your sewer and drainage systems. 

Placing trees too close to your pipes can lead to the roots growing into the pipes causing caustostropic damage. 

Trees, like any living thing, require water. When they are looking for a water source your sewer pipes are one of the first things that will nourish them. 

Be sure to put your trees a considerable distance away from your sewers and drain pipes and make sure to give them enough water so they don’t need to look for it elsewhere.

4. Get a Drain Video Inspection

If you’re purchasing a new home you’ll definitely want to get a drain video inspection before signing any closing documents.

A drain video inspection is not part of your regular mandatory home inspections, but without it, it can lead to just as many expensive repairs as those that may be found in your general home inspection.

Drain pipes are not seen and therefore usually forgotten about, but ignoring your drain pipes by eliminating an inspection can leave you blind to tree root issues, clogs, breaks, corroding, and much more. This type of damage leads to thousands of dollars in repairs.

Even if you already own your home, if you’re experiencing frequent blockages, inconsistent water pressure or foul odors, a drain video inspection might be necessary.

Don’t Wait, Call a Sewer and Drain Cleaning Company

The longer you wait, the worse things will get.

Don’t wait until your problem gets too big and ends up costing you more, call a sewer and drain cleaning company at the first sign of a problem.

Whitney Sewer & Drain Cleaning in Colorado Springs is a local, emergency drain cleaning company that specializes in drain and sewer cleaning and repairs, drain video inspections, and sewer line repair and replacement.

Contact us for a free quote today!

The post 4 Sewer Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Pipes Running appeared first on Whitney Sewer.

There’s always something to do around the house and winter only adds more to do your to-do list. Many Colorado Springs homeowners begin preparing for the harsh winter days  by clearing out their gutters, cleaning their chimneys, buying a snow shovel or snow blowers and servicing their heating systems are only some of the things you must do as a homeowner. 

But what about your home’s sewer and drain system?

These two features are essential to your Colorado Springs home running well and without proper maintenance during and before the winter season, you could be in for a costly repair.

As we head into the winter months in Colorado Springs, here are some tips to help keep your sewer system and home free of damage.

Run Your Faucet During A Cold Front

One of the most common known problems during a particularly cold winter is frozen sewer lines. 

While there are various ways that you can keep your sewer lines safe during the winter, running water during a cold front is probably one of the easiest ways to do this. 

Now, this doesn’t mean that you need to have your sink going at full speed. 

A simple trickle will act as a relief valve for the pressure that will build up if your pipes do become frozen. That small trickle can prevent frozen pipes from cracking and causing even a larger problem.

Tip: Choose a faucet where the drain is not on the exterior wall of your Colorado Springs home. If you choose a sink with a drain on the exterior wall, the drain can freeze and your sink will overflow while you sleep.

Shovel Snow Out of the Way

While you’re shoveling snow out of your Colorado Springs driveway and sidewalk, don’t forget to clear the snow off the top of your sewer vents.

A buildup of snow can create a blockage in your vent causing sewer gases to be released into your home.

In addition, that pile of snow that you may think will just melt away, will make its way into your drains. Water that is flowing through your pipes can freeze if it reaches under 32 degrees fahrenheit, which is extremely common during the cold winters here in Colorado Springs. This can lead to damages such as cracks or even breaks.

Disconnect Your Hoses

It’s so easy to forget about the things we can not see. Such as the hoses outside of your home.

A hose left outside will freeze. 

You may be wondering how that can affect your home, well, if your hose is connected to the faucet ice can back up into the pipe inside your house. Ultimately, this can lead to cracked pipes.

Better to be safe than sorry, disconnect all your hoses and put them into storage until winter has passed.

Shut Off Your Water If You Leave Town

Winter means the holidays have arrived, and while you may be looking forward to spending time with your family, don’t forget to protect your sewers before you leave.

Before you leave town turn the water off at the main shutoff. 

This will ensure that if there is a severe cold front while you’re away, your frozen pipes don’t crack and you’ll have much less damage than you otherwise would. 

Tip: Don’t forget to also turn off your ice maker in your fridge. Leaving it on will burn out your motor leaving you with another headache.

Continue Regular Sewer & Drain Maintenance

While there are specific one-off things you can do to protect your sewer lines during the winter, it’s still important to continue your regular maintenance. 

Check to see if your sewer lines are showing warning signs that they’re due for maintenance. 

Don’t put foods down your garbage disposal that can clog your drain – Find out what food you can and can’t put down your garbage disposal. 

Lastly, follow these 5 tips to avoid clogging your drains.

Work with a Sewer & Drain Company in Colorado Springs

We at Whitney Sewer and Drain Cleaning in Colorado Springs love to pass on our knowledge and tips to our customers to help them keep their home running smoothly.

However, even when you know how to keep your sewers and drains safe during the winter it still may not be enough. 

Accidents can always happen and when they do we’re here to help. 

If you need help making sure your Colorado Spring shome is ready to take on the cold days ahead or need a sewer line inspected, contact us for a FREE QUOTE today!

The post 5 Tips to Keep Your Sewer & Drain Lines Safe During the Winter appeared first on Whitney Sewer.

Your sewer line is the heart of your home. It’s where all of the other plumbing lines connect to. Kitchen and bathroom sinks, yard drains, showers and toilets, they all lead to the main sewer system in your Colorado Springs home.

Though any home can have a back up sewer line, there are some ways to help you avoid clogging your drain. Also, there are still some homes that are more predisposed to a sewer emergency. 

Here are a few ways you can learn if your home is predisposed to sewer problems, and 4 signs that you need your sewer lines cleaned and how a scheduled drain line cleaning.

Is Your House Predisposed to Sewer Problems?

Yards With Trees

There’s something about big trees surrounding your Colorado Springs home that truly looks beautiful. 

However, it’s those grown trees that can cause troubles for your sewer line. Trees need water to live, and they do this by sending roots underground to get water and nutrition. Unfortunately, for you as the homeowner, your sewer line is an ideal water source. 

In fact, one of the most common causes of clogged and broken pipes in Colorado Springs is tree roots. They only need a small opening to get in the line, once inside they grow and widen eventually tearing it apart. Since this is underground, it is likely you will have no idea why your sewer is backing up until it’s too late. Sewer maintenance can be a preventative measure and can keep you from spending a lot more money in the long run.

Similar to tree roots needing to be cut back, once your house has had a sewer issue, it is likely that this will come back. Especially if you do not practice maintenance, both at home and professionally. The best defense against your continued sewer problems is a good offense. Once you’ve had a sewer issue, it’s important to practice preventative measures to get more years out of your pipes.

Older Homes

Lastly, if you live or just recently purchased an older home, it is important to practice sewer maintenance. The older your home is, the more that can go wrong. Not only outside, but inside. Grease buildup, food blockages, wet wipes flushed down the toilet, etc. Outside, changes in the soil, erosion and movement can cause “bellied pipes” this happens when a pipe starts sagging or sloping wrong and causes a buildup of waste and blocking your pipe from working properly.

This is why we advise prior to buying a home in Colorado Springs for the home buyer to get a video inspection on the drains, you never know what you’ll find down there and how expensive it can be.

Haven’t Had An Inspection In Awhile

All in all, preventative measures can save you a lot of headaches and expensive emergency calls. We typically recommend our customers to get their sewer lines cleaned once every year at the very least, especially if they do have various trees in their backyards, have had prior problems or live in an older home. 

4 Warning Signs That You Need Your Sewer Lines Cleaned

• Gurgling sounds coming from pipes
• Water around the floor drain in the basement
• Slow drains, or drains that frequently clog.
• Sewer odors, or the smell of sewage.

Sewer Line Maintenance in Colorado Springs

Preventative drain and sewer line maintenance can help Colorado Springs homeowners avoid costly sewer line blockages. 

Though you may not be able to see your sewers, you should treat it just like any other part of your home that you need to perform periodic checks such as your air conditioning, garage door, roof, etc. By providing your sewers the proper maintenance it needs you can save yourself thousands in repair and replacement costs.

Don’t wait until it’s too late, get your sewers maintenance today! Contact our team at Whitney Sewer and Drain Cleaning in Colorado Springs for a free quote today.

The post Why Sewer Maintenance is Important & Warning Signs That You Need Your Sewer Lines Cleaned appeared first on Whitney Sewer.

With how often sinks and toilets are used, backup and clogs are common even in the most well-maintained homes. However, not all problems are easily seen or can be treated with a simple plunger.

One of the most valuable tools in the sewer & drain business is drain video inspection.

If you are experiencing any of the issues below, call a Colorado Springs sewer & drain cleaning company to help you. They will be able to not only repair any problems but will also inspect your plumbing for any further issues.

What is a Sewer/Drain Video Inspection?

Our professionally trained, Whitney Sewer & Drain Cleaning specialists in Colorado Springs will attach a waterproof camera to a sewer cable and insert it into your drains.

The drain video inspections service will help the specialist visualize exactly what is causing the problem, this could include tree root intrusions, corrosion, cracks, and much more.

One of the many benefits of a drain inspection is that you can see exactly where the problem is and start your work there. This helps to avoid digging up your entire garden to get to find and fix the problem.

Once the inspection is complete, we will determine the best course of action, whether that be cleaning, repair or replacing your sewer line.

Is It Time for A Sewer Line Video Inspection?

Experiencing frequent blockages 

You thought you’d fix that blockage, but just a few days or weeks later it’s back, what is going on? Tree roots are known for invading sewer lines and creating havoc especially if they go unnoticed and untreated. 

Drain video inspections will allow your Colorado Springs sewer & drain cleaning specialist to see the problem and determine the best plan to get your water flowing again.

Inconsistent Water Pressure 

While a pipe in your home may be easy to see, a leak underground is much harder to recognize. One way is to check your water pressure. A leak in your sewer line can actually cause a drop in water pressure.

You Are Purchasing A Home 

You’ve fallen in love with your new home, but before you buy it, make sure you get your sewer lines inspected!

Most of the time, new homeowners forget to do this because sewer lines are not visible, but this can be a costly mistake that can lead you to spending quite a bit of money.

Foul Odors 

There are many things you want to smell in your home, sewage is not one of them. If you’re smelling any foul odors in your home it could signal a crack somewhere in your sewer line.

If you’re experiencing any of these problems, it might be time for a sewer/drain video inspection before things go from bad to worse.

Fix Your Drain Before It Gets Worse with Video Inspection

Problems that are left untreated can result in backed-up sewage, water damage and sewer line replacements. Be proactive and avoid expensive repairs down the road by getting your sewers and drains checked at the first sight of trouble.

Are you looking for local drain cleaning companies in Colorado Springs? Our specialists at Whitney Sewer Drain & Cleaning are ready to help. Contact us for an estimate and more information today.

The post How Drain Video Inspections Can Prevent Drain & Pipe Problems appeared first on Whitney Sewer.

Drain maintenance is easy to forget about because until there’s a problem, there are usually no signs. This is why no one ever thinks to do anything about them until there’s a clog and it seems to have “come out of nowhere.”

Knowing how to properly take care of your drains will increase their longevity and will save you money in the long run. 

5 Tips & Tricks to Avoid A Clogged Drain:

Try Not To Put Food Down the Garbage Disposal

After you finish your meal, it’s important to scrape the remaining food on your plate into the garbage can before putting it in the sink. 

The small blades of garbage disposals aren’t meant to break down heavy items and should be scarcely used. 

Proper Garbage Disposal Use 

Even when you think no food has made it down the drain after you’re done washing the dishes, it’s still important to run your disposal. However, there is a wrong and right way to go about this.

Never run your garbage disposal dry! 

Always make sure to run cold water before, during, and even for a bit after you’re done using the disposal. This will help any remaining small pieces of food pass through and not get stuck on the sides of the pipe. 

To Use or Not Use Flushable Wipes

Possibly the only thing worse than a clogged sink is a clogged toilet. 

While there may be some wipes out there that claim to be safe for toilet use, it’s actually best to not flush anything besides toilet paper down your drains. Toilet paper breaks down within 24 hours, while flushable wipes never do. This ends up causing a clog in your pipes as the wipes build up. 

Pour Boiling Water Down Your Drain

Once a week boil water and carefully pour it down your kitchen sink. 

This will help your drains remove some of the excess gunk that is stuck inside. The boiling water will help loosen up some of the debris, especially dried grease, and will help it pass easily through the pipes. 

Deep Clean Your Bathroom

As you may know, hair is probably the number one culprit of a clogged shower/bath. However, soap scum and shampoo can make this matter much worse. 

Once a month, take out the drain stopper in both your sink and tub and make sure to clean it all off before reinserting it. 

For more daily protection, buy a drain screen that will help eliminate excessive amounts of hair and soap scum easily escaping down the drain. If you have long hair, it’s also best to brush your hair before showering to get rid of all the loose hair first. 

Work With a Quality Sewer & Drain Company in Colorado Springs

On top of all of the DIY tricks we mentioned above, a great tip to keeping your drains in tip-top shape is to practice maintenance. 

Every 6 months – once a year, it’s a good idea to hire a professional to snake your lines. This will prevent future problems from occurring or catch problems before they become massive and end up costing you a lot of money. 

Whitney Sewer & Dry Cleaning in Colorado Springs provides quality services to keep your drains working and you happy. Whether you need drain or sewer services, contact us today for a free estimate. 

The post 5 Tips & Tricks to Avoid Clogging Your Drains appeared first on Whitney Sewer.

Let’s be honest, pipe problems are not fun — or pretty for that matter.

We’ve all probably dealt with the unpleasantness of a backed-up sink, clogged toilet, slow drainage, overflows, and usually people’s first instinct is to reach for Drano because we all love a quick fix.

However, you should think twice before you make that decision. Although Drano may cause temporary relief, it can cause further damage over time.

4 Reasons Why You Should Not Use Drano

Drano Damages Plumbing Systems 

The chemicals in Drano continually produce heat until the clog is fully dissolved. This can cause your pipes to soften, as the Drano eats away at the glue holding the pipes together and eventually leads them to break.

When this happens, you will be left with a hefty cost for replacement repairs rather than a clogged drain.

Drano Can Burn Skin, Irritate Eyes, and Hurt Your Lungs 

Drano works by combining chemicals and burning/corroding any organic tissue.  If you use a plumbing tool such as a plunger, after using Drano, it can splash up and burn your skin, or worse get into your eyes.

The chemicals produced by Drano can also produce fumes that users breathe in and can infect your lungs. This makes conditions not only difficult for you but others as well.

Drano Is Not As Quick of a Fix As You Think 

While your problem may subside after pouring Drano, this is usually a temporary relief as the issue is likely to come back.

If you decide to use Drano as a quick fix but notice continuous clogging, it’s definitely time to call the experts.

For example, a fairly common problem are tree roots growing into pipes. This not only damages your pipes but wreaks havoc on your home. Drano certainly can’t shred and flush tree roots or replace damaged pipes. If your Drano solution isn’t doing the trick, chances are there’s a much bigger problem underneath.

Drano is Bad for the Environment 

Not only does Drano present potential bodily harm, but it’s also bad for the environment.

Drano contains lye and other extremely toxic materials that can make their way out of your sewage system and into rivers, streams, and oceans.

If you notice clogs and plumbing issues think twice about resorting to Drano. The experts at Whitney Sewer can identify and repair your drain and/or sewage problem plus we offer free quotes. Major clogs like hair, paper, wipes, and food need more than a liquid agent to get them flowing again, which is why you need a full-service solution.

There are a few telltale signs as to when you need to call a drain/sewage service.  These include frequent blockages, gurgling in the drains, a persistent odor, damp or muddy patches, and the dreaded flooding or “back up”. If any of these things are happening to you, store-bought products are not likely to fix the problem.

If you are experiencing any of these problems, contact Whitney Sewer and Drain before things go from bad to worse.  No matter how severe the issue is Whitney can solve it from start to finish, meaning you will work with one company for the duration of the project. If you do use Drano before reaching out, please let us know so that we can take extra precautions to not get it on skin or in eyes.

As soon as you hear that distinctive, dreaded gurgle, call up the pros rather than reach for the Drano. Your home will thank you for it.

The post Why You Shouldn’t Use Drano appeared first on Whitney Sewer.

Sewer & Drain Preventative Maintenance

Single family homes do have more control over preventative maintenance of drain and sewer systems.  After all, you probably don’t have to worry about a very large number of people putting who knows what down the drain.  Yet as the adage goes, prevention is the best cure, and preventing a backup with proper maintenance is as important as other maintenance issues in your home.

Drain vs. Sewer Cleaning

There is a difference between drain and sewer cleaning.  Drains are mainly in a home and are part of the system that carries wastewater to a sewer.  Drains are not susceptible to obstructions like roots but are usually clogged by what goes down sinks, toilets, and bathtubs.  These items can be fairly normal and still cause clogs and abnormal items are almost guaranteed to cause a problem.  Simple rule:  don’t flush something that isn’t designed to go down a toilet.  Even a few strands of hair in the sink can cause clogs, something people can easily overlook.  Keep drains clean by using a back-up remover once a month and for commercial buildings, have all drains professionally cleaned once a year.

Drain cleaning is a simple task compared to sewer cleaning, especially when it comes to commercial buildings.  Sewer lines take wastewater from drains and sends it into the city sewer lines.  These lines can be clogged from oil/grease, physical objects such as wipes, or tree roots looking for water and nutrients.  While an obvious solution is to never plant trees near sewer lines, this isn’t always an option.  Case in point, a townhome community surrounded by trees but the entire main line behind a building has to be replaced because roots have completely blocked the line and is causing backups in multiple units.  Or a busy commercial building has a lot of people flushing a lot of items down the toilets causing a massive clog.

So, how often should your sewers be cleaned? To avoid a costly major repair, sewer lines should be preventatively cleaned every 18-22 months.  If you are experiencing frequent plumbing issues, you might want to have the work performed more frequently.  If you see sewage backups, smell odors, hear gurgling pipes, or water is backing up it is time to call a professional immediately.  While these problems can arise very quickly, then generally occur gradually.  By keeping sewer lines cleaned out, you can keep these problems from happening in the first place.  Even if an issue seems minor, remember that it can turn into a major problem.

The post How Often and Why to Do Sewer Maintenance for Both Residential and Commercial Buildings appeared first on Whitney Sewer.