Flushable Wipes Are Not So Flushable

Person putting a wipe down the toilet. AAA Drain Cleaning in Portland OR talks about why flushable wipes are not so flushable.

Person putting a wipe down the toilet. AAA Drain Cleaning in Portland OR talks about why flushable wipes are not so flushable.Wet wipes are a mother’s best friend and make life much easier when clean-up time comes. They are essential when it comes to keeping our surfaces clean and safe from bacteria and viruses. Many wipes are advertised as “septic safe”, but in reality, flushable wipes are not so flushable and can cost you in plumbing repairs.

What Is Wrong With Flushable Wipes?

The first thing that you might ask is why you can flush toilet paper, but not wet wipes. The answer is that toilet paper is made from finely shredded cotton and is compostable in your septic tank. Wet wipes are often made of synthetic, plastic, or a combination of natural and plastic fibers. Since plastic does not compost, it will accumulate in your septic pipes and tank. Even those that say they are “septic safe” are not truly safe for your system and should never be put down the toilet.

What Problems Do Flushable Wipes Cause?

The problem with flushable wipes is that they get snagged as they travel down the pipes and can cause a clog. The clog can trap other materials and build up over time. This can cause the system to drain slowly or to back up into the house. If this happens, you will have to call a plumber to clear the pipes. Taking care of your pipes by not putting anything down the system that can cause a clogged drain will save you in repair bills and assure that your system works as it should.

Experiencing a Toilet Clog?

If you have a clogged drain, AAA Drain Cleaning in Portland can have your drains running freely again in no time. Our team is highly trained and can get the job done efficiently and professionally. We can do video inspections to locate the problem and take out the guesswork. We can clean out your main line or standard indoor drains. We offer competitive rates, so call us if your drains are running slowly.

4 Tips To Stop Tree Roots From Penetrating Your Sewer or Main Line

tree roots plumbing by AAA Drain Cleaning Vancouver WA and Portland OR

Is your sewer system safe from tree roots?

For homes with trees either on or surrounding the property, tree root infestation on plumbing lines is a common and stressful problem. Tree roots have the tendency to penetrate plumbing lines, especially in older plumbing systems, causing significant and costly repairs. Fortunately, there are things you can do to stop tree roots from penetrating your sewer or main lines in the Gresham, OR and Portland, OR areas. Before tree roots cause serious damage, there are measures you can take to protect your home’s sewer and main lines. A comprehensive sewer video inspection is encouraged before attempting any of the suggestions listed below. Keep reading for a general overview of four tactics that are effective in stopping sewer line root intrusion.

  • Mechanical Auger: Cracks in your sewer or main line are common occurrences, and typically are fine as long as tree roots do not grow out of control and collapse the pipe. Often times, tree roots will enter the cracks and begin to grow. Clearing your sewer and main line with a mechanical auger at the first sign of tree roots is effective in protecting the integrity of the sewer line. This is not a solution, however it is a relatively inexpensive way to prevent substantial damage to your sewer or main line. Regular mechanical auger cleanings may be necessary to prevent substantial damage to your home’s plumbing system.
  • Chemical Removal: Another effective method in addressing sewer line root intrusion is using copper sulfate crystals to kill off tree roots before they can grow and expa
  • Hydro Jetter: This method of clearing tree roots tends to cost a bit more than the first two options, however is extremely effectively and is usually followed by a chemical treatment. A hydro jetter is a machine that uses high pressured water to eliminate tree roots and other debris to clear pipes.
  • Manually removing tree roots: When you have troublesome tree roots, sometimes digging them up is the only way to effectively resolve the problem. Especially when clearing the roots can actually cause the pipes to collapse as they have grown so large they are essentially a part of the plumbing. This method is expensive and time consuming, however is guaranteed to resolve your problem once and for all.

Questions or Concerns About Roots?

If you are faced with sewer line root intrusion, you have options. Contact AAA Drain Cleaning for more information on how you can resolve your main line root problems quickly, and affordably. We look forward to serving you.