Drain Cleaning and Sewer Cleaning Services – What’s the Difference?
Does your Iowa City home require drain or sewer cleaning services? How are you supposed to tell the difference anyway, and what exactly does “lateral drain” mean? Never fear – we’re here to help you cut through the noise and find out
exactly what you need.
Comparing Drainage and Sewage Systems in Iowa City, IA
This might be common knowledge for many homeowners, but it’s important to get the basics out of the way first. So, what are the differences between a drainage system and a sewage system?
Put simply, “drains” are the pipes that carry water and wastewater away from any single building, typically depositing it into the sewers. They might be horizontal or lateral, but the basic function remains the same.
Sewers, on the other hand, are a system of pipes that carry sewage and run-off toward either disposal points or treatment facilities. Unlike drains, which are considered part of your property, sewers might be either private or part of a
public network; check with your local water company.
Four Signs That You Need Drain Cleaning Services
There are countless for a clogged drain to cause problems. Here are some of the most common drain issues that can develop in a typical household.
1. Bubbling or Gurgling Sounds
When a clog begins to develop, air has to force its way through obstructions each time the system is used. This can produce bubbling, gurgling, or whooshing sounds whenever you try to work the drains. It’s usually not a critical issue,
but it’s not one that you should overlook either. To be on the safe side, act swiftly and get a professional plumber on the scene. They can diagnose the problem, tell you if it’s serious, and how best to deal with it. Sometimes, this
can be a simple obstruction in your drain trap, easy to remove. Other times, this can indicate a clog deeper in the system, requiring more extensive cleaning.
2. Slow Drainage
More often than even the weird sounds, the speed at which your drain operates can spell trouble. When you flush wastewater away from a tub or toilet, it shouldn’t take more than a few seconds to recede. If this time is getting longer
and longer, there’s probably a clog forming somewhere down the line.
Again, this could be easy to fix – the old plunger might do the trick, or a commercial cleaning liquid you can get at the store. If that doesn’t work, though, or if the problem keeps returning, it’s time to call a plumber. There are
more thorough ways of cleaning the drains that professionals have access to. They might employ auger snakes, hydro-jetting, or other methods to dislodge the pesky clog.
3. Musty or Moldy Smells Around the Drain
Another common sign of clogged lines are unpleasant smells rising from your drains or even adjacent areas. This occurs because the backed-up wastewater makes the air damp, which can smell bad enough on its own. It can also result in
mold or fungal growths, its own can of worms which you don’t want to open.
Whenever you feel a funky smell in your bathroom or kitchen, don’t hesitate to contact a plumbing professional. They can help you establish if the odor is really coming from the drain, and suggest ways of getting rid of it. It’s
important to deal with this issue thoroughly, not just the smell but also its cause; a hidden leak might be the culprit instead of a clog! Trust only reputable, trained professionals with this.
4. Water Backing Up or Overflowing
And here we’re talking about obvious signs of drainage problems. Once wastewater starts backing up repeatedly, or even overflowing and flooding, you’re looking at a serious issue. These could result from multiple blockages in one or
more drain lines – not something you should try to tackle on your own.
As mentioned above, a professional plumber has the ability to reliably establish the cause of the issue before trying to resolve it. Video inspections are a popular method of getting to the heart of the matter, snaking cameras through
the pipe until every sore spot is identified. Once the root of the problem is known, it should be easy to handle with speed and efficiency.
Three Signs That You Need Sewer Cleaning Services in Iowa City, IA
With the drains out of the way, it’s time to consider what to do if the sewer system is causing you grief. The problems and the solutions may seem outwardly similar, but a lot more goes into fixing a sewer line. As mentioned above, you
should always have a clear picture of who’s in charge of your sewer system. If it’s a public network, simply dialing a number might be enough. If you’re dealing with private or partially private sewers, there might be complications.
1. Highly Pungent Smells
Unlike the damp, moldy odors rising from your drains, the smell coming off your sewer line should be more in the “organic decay” range. Whether it’s ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, or a combination thereof, you should have no problem
identifying the nauseating gasses. These pose a considerable health hazard, while also potentially causing nausea or dizziness.
As soon as you detect these smells, it’s best to contact either your sewage company or professional residential plumbers.
2. Pools of Wastewater Forming Outdoors
On a larger property, you might notice the ground turning soft and puddling here and there. Whether caused by lateral drain or sewage line leaks, these spills are potentially dangerous and should be dealt with immediately. Again, do not
bother trying to reach and repair the pipes yourself – get professional help instead.
3. System-Wide Blockages
Finally, are any of the previously mentioned drain issue symptoms appearing across a broader area? If so, you may be looking at a system-wide issue on the sewer lines. For example, if drainage is slow across your whole property, it’s
unlikely to be caused by a clog in any single drain. These systemic failures are potentially complex, and best handled by a full team of plumbing professionals.
Securing the Drain or Sewer Cleaning Services You Need
Once you’ve established if it’s a clogged-up drain line or a sewer overflow problem, how to proceed? In most cases, your best bet is a dependable professional plumbing company. If you’re in the vicinity of Iowa City, IA,
Action Sewer & Septic Service offers quality cleaning and maintenance services at competitive pricing. Give us a call or shoot us an email today.