A Clogged Outdoor Pipe Can Turn Outdoor Festivities Into a Nightmare
With spring in full swing, most people are taking advantage of the mild, pleasant weather by spending more time outdoors, be it with gardening, grilling, playing in the yard, or just enjoying the smell of blossoming vegetation. But spring also means the outdoor plumbing system will start getting more use, from the sprinklers and hoses to the downspouts and landscape drains. And with more use comes the possibility of problems.
An underground leak in a supply pipe or irrigation line is bad enough, but a clogged drain pipe or sewer line can be even worse. Read on to discover what causes outdoor plumbing clogs, how to protect against them, and what the pros do to resolve them.
An Overview of Outdoor Plumbing Fixtures & Pipes
Most homeowners don't give much thought to their outdoor plumbing unless there's a problem or it comes time to winterize the home to protect against freezes. After all, most of it is underground or designed to be as inconspicuous as possible.
But every part of the outdoor plumbing system is crucial to the overall health of the home. The gutters and downspouts protect the foundation and help prevent flooding by capturing rainwater and diverting it to the storm drain. The landscape drains serve a similar function. The underground sewer lines safely remove wastewater from the home. If any of these get backed up, it can have a severe impact on the home.
How Outdoor Pipes Get Clogged
With the outdoor drainage system, which includes the gutters, downspouts, and outdoor drains, the problem is usually a mass of mud or organic debris like twigs and leaves. These can accumulate on the drain grate or inside the catch basin or become lodged inside the pipe or tube itself - this is especially common with corrugated plastic tubing.
With sewage drain lines, the obstruction is often something that should not have been flushed. But just as commonly, it's simply an accumulation of ordinary waste solids that have been washed down the drain - hair, dirt, soap scum, etc.
How Hydrojetting Clears Away Blockages
A clogged outdoor drain can cause flooding, and a clogged sewer line can mean sewage may back up and start coming up through the drains inside the home - so it's imperative to remove the obstruction immediately. If the issue is as simple as a buildup of leaves crammed in a drain grate, homeowners may be able to handle it with a garden hose and their bare hands. But more often than not, something more heavy-duty is needed.
Hydrojetting is a method professionals use to clear and clean clogged drains inside the home and outdoors. Using a potent pressure washing machine and a long hose with a specially designed nozzle, plumbers can obliterate nearly any kind of obstruction deep within the pipes. Since hydrojetting only uses water to clear blockages instead of chemicals, it's an environmentally friendly and safe way to get the job done.
Hydrojetting is also used to clean drains and underground pipes as part of general plumbing maintenance. It's one of the best things homeowners can do to prevent future clogs, but should only be handled by a pro.
About A & W Plumbing and Heating, Inc.
The family-owned and operated A & W Plumbing and Heating, Inc. has served the Murphysboro, IL community since 2005. Their friendly expert technicians show up on time and get the job done right the first time, every time. A & W provides up-front, competitive pricing, membership perks, 24/7 emergency service, and a 100% guarantee on all work. Call now for drain cleaning services!
