SEWERS
These sewers basically carry away two kinds of waste, those being "gray', or non-potable, water, and human waste. There is a separate type of line, known as a storm drain, but they are not relevant to this discussion. Sewers, for the most part , are not pressurized like water supply lines are. They work on gravity flow. It is important that these lines be installed with a gradual and steady grade, or slope, usually one-fourth of an inch per foot of pipe. A very common problem in modern building is the improper grading of gravity flow lines. This can be caused by using saggy ABS (black plastic) pipes that have been laying horizontally on a rack somewhere for a long time. It can be caused by a trench that is not properly graded or properly backfilled and tamped.  What happens often under these conditions is that the sewer line will wind up having "bellies" and "dips" in them. The waste can collect in the sagging, or "dip" part of the line. What this contributes to is the build up of greasy waste that solidifies in the dip area and eventually can, and often does, cause the line to plug. If you find your home or business line in this condition their are several remedies, each with varying costs. In severe cases the line probably would need to be replaced, at least partially. Short of that expensive proposition, there are things you can do to help keep the line open. I never recommend the use of any acidic chemicals for drain lines. They are potentially dangerous to handle and can harm certain types of piping within your house. There are, however, several products available on the open market that, with proper use, will "emulsify" (liquify) the hardened greasy material that may collect in your lines and help to keep them "flushed-out" of your line. These products are marketed under a variety of names. However, if you read the label and ascertain what the product is, you should have no trouble choosing the correct product. Another common problem in underground sewers is root infestation. This is not nearly as common in newer structures that use ABS drain pipes as it was in times past when cast iron pipe was the norm. There is still a lot of cast iron pipe in the ground, however, and roots can grow through the connections of two sections of ABS pipe, especially if they were sloppily installed. What happens is that tree and other plant roots, in their never-ending quest for water, will send out tiny "feeler" roots. If there is even a small drip in a pipe joint the root will eventually find it. Sometimes they will grow through a dry joint and discover the water inside. Once this happens the roots will form into a carpet-like mat inside the pipe in order to create as much water absorption area as possible. As time passes, that mat can become large enough to plug the pipe. Another, and larger, danger is that a large "finger" sized root will follow to the water source and can, and often does, break the pipe joint. All service plumbing companies have machines, called "rodding" machines, available to send a cable with cutter blades on the cable end through the pipe and cut out the roots. In the event of a broken joint, a plumber with any reasonable skill and honesty level can locate the break, dig it up and repair it. If it is a particularly hard to find pipe their is equipment available to electronically locate the break as well as send a small camera down the pipe to inspect and verify the break. Just remember that just because you have roots growing through one or more joints in your sewer, it DOES NOT automatically mean that your entire line needs to be replaced. What we do at ARIZONA PLUMBING SERVICES is try to explain the entire situation to you accurately and give you a choice, based on price comparisons, as to whether you want the line repaired or replaced. I have encountered many situations through my many years in the business where people have opted to just have us come out and machine clean the roots out of the line on a regular basis. I have seen lines last for many years this way. The bottom line is that an honest plumber will give you ALL the options and allow you to decide, based on what is best for you. In closing let me add that there are root killing products available on the open market that, if used with directional regularity, will go a long way toward preventing the re-growth of roots into your sewer. They are usually "crystals" or "pellets" that roll down the line when you introduce them into the line just prior to a period when you can avoid running any water for awhile. The water causes them to give off a vapor that stunts the root growth. If you have ANY questions regarding these or any other plumbing issues, just click on
and ask for Larry. I will be delighted to answer your questions and help in any way I can!
3112 W. Virginia Ave.........................1901 N. Oracle Rd. 
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