A blocked drain can cause all sorts of problems. For instance, a blockage in the exterior drain pipe can prevent sewage from leaving the building and may even force it back inside where it flows all over the floor. This can be a real issue when the floors are covered with engineered wood because wastewater can saturate the wood fibers and force them to swell. Once this material has been damaged it must be replaced. Quality Drain Repair in Lansing MI can help by locating the problem and eliminating it. Finding a blockage may be more difficult than people think, but expert plumbers have the perfect tool for the job: a video snake. This tool uses a long, flexible cable to send a camera inside the pipe.
Once the issue is found, the real job begins. Two of the most common kinds of clogs are waste buildup from extended usage and a blockage from plant roots. Eliminating the former may be possible with a pipe snake or the use of water jetting. The latter is a more difficult Drain Repair in Lansing MI because portions of the pipe may need to be replaced. Root problems occur in sewer pipes when those pipes get damaged or the joints become separated. A blockage forms because plant roots grow very quickly in the nutrient-rich sewage. As the web of roots begin to spread they collect bits of waste matter and the mass eventually solidifies. Attempting to pierce the blockage with a pipe snake usually, has little effect. Even worse, any removed roots will continue to return until the opening is fixed. One possible solution is a sleeve that fits inside the damaged sewer line.
Not all drain problems occur outside the building. Interior drains often clog at the pipe traps. Pipe traps, or p-traps, are those curved pieces of pipes found close to the drain. Their purpose is to prevent the return of sewer gasses. Unfortunately, the method used for blocking gas intrusion is the accumulation of water in the crook of the pipe, which can also fill up with debris such as waste foods. Improper cleaning of the trap can result in slow leaks that damage the cabinets or floors. Learn more about drain cleaning and repair from the professionals at Minuteman Sewer & Drain Cleaning.
