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.

Clogged Kitchen Sink Again…Really?

clogged-kitchen-sink-aaa-drain-cleaning-gresham-or-portland-oregon

clogged-kitchen-sink-aaa-drain-cleaning-gresham-or-portland-oregonNo one wants to deal with a smelly, clogged kitchen sink drain. Kitchen drain clogs are a common and irritating part of day to day life, fortunately there are steps you can take for effective kitchen clogged sink prevention. Read on for clogged sink tips and clogged sink prevention methods for those in the Gresham, OR and Portland, OR areas.

How to Prevent a Clogged Kitchen Sink

Your kitchen’s drain encounters food particles, grease, fat and much more on a regular basis. The regular use of your kitchen’s drain is likely to result in a clogged sink if precautions are not taken to avoid an obstruction. Below are clogged kitchen sink tips and clogged sink prevention methods to help ensure the integrity and functional usage of your kitchen drain.

  • Often times, grease is a major culprit in clogged kitchen drains. Avoid pouring grease down your drain and instead dispose of it through your garbage receptacle.
  • Refrain from disposing of coffee grounds down your kitchen sink. Toss your coffee grounds into the garbage.
  • Cease the use of chemical drain cleaners, for any of the drains in your home. These harsh chemicals are known to eat away at pipes and can cause significant damage to your home’s plumbing system.
  • Utilize drain covers. Purchase a package of drain strainers and cover all of your drains. It is much easier to clean a drain cover than it is to clear a clogged drain.
  • Clean your kitchen drain weekly by pouring a mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water down the drain and letting it sit for 30 minutes.
  • If your kitchen drain begins draining slowly, check the garbage disposal for a clog. Try running water and turning the garbage disposal on. If the garbage disposal emits a low humming noise, it is jammed. In this case, unplug the garbage disposal and turn the blades of the garbage disposal manually with a screwdriver.
  • If the garbage disposal does not appear to be clogged, then the clog is in the drain itself. To resolve the clog, fill your kitchen sink up ¼ full of water, put a cloth over the drain then use a plunger to slowly move the clog.
  • If the plunging technique fails, disassemble the trap under the sink and clear it out.
  • If the trap is already cleared, and your kitchen drain is still clogged, snake the drain with a plumber’s auger.

More Information about Clogged Kitchen Sinks

If none of the clogged kitchen sink drain prevention tips or clogged drain methods worked for you, it may be time to call in a professional. Small kitchen drain clogs should be easily cleared using the methods described above. Your inability to clear your kitchen drain clog could be an indication of a more severe issue that is best diagnosed by a professional.

 

 

Home Remedies for a Slow Draining Tub

AAA Drain Cleaning Slow Draining Bathtub tub

Is Your Bathtub Draining Slowly?

AAA Drain Cleaning Slow Draining Bathtub tubWhen your tub begins to draining slowly, it could be an indication of a larger problem or it could simply mean you have a clog that needs some attention. There are some slow draining tub remedies that can help people in the, Portland, OR and Gresham, OR areas, clear a bathtub drain. If after conducting the home remedies for a slow draining tub there is no improvement, it is in your best interest to contact a licensed professional to resolve the problem for you.

When it comes to dealing with a slow tub drain, it is never a good idea to use store bought drain cleaners to clear your pipes. Most store bought drain cleaners contain harmful chemicals that can damage your plumbing system and potentially pollute your water. Slow draining bath tub home remedies should never include using potent chemicals as they are not necessary in clearing up a simple clog. Furthermore, these chemicals are also harmful to the environment and are more expensive than proven home remedies using simple ingredients.

The only ingredients you will need to clear your slow draining tub should already be readily available in your pantry. These are common household items that should clear a slow drain up quickly, granted it is not a more serious drainage issue.

Tips to Clear Bathtub Drains

  • Clear Debris: When the time comes to alleviate the clog in your slow draining tub, the first step is to remove the drain cover and clear out any hair stuck in the drain. Often times, the slow draining tub is the result of a hair clump preventing water from draining properly.
  • Plunger: If your tub is still draining slowly after careful inspection of the top of the drain, then the next step is to try using a plunger. Fill the tub up with several inches of water, then put the plunger over the drain and slowly pump the drain 6-12 times.
  • Baking Soda, Vinegar & Salt: When the plunger fails resolve the slow draining tub, another option is to use baking soda, table salt and vinegar as a drain cleaning solution. Let your tub drain completely so there is no sitting water, if possible. Then dump one cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by equal parts salt and vinegar. This will result in a foamy texture spewing from your drain which is normal. Wait 20 minutes then pour hot water down the drain. You can also pour the baking soda, salt and vinegar down the drain, plug the drain, then fill the bathtub up with water. One the tub is filled, pull the plug and let the water push the solution through your pipes.
  • Plumbing Snake: The last slow draining tub home remedy is the use of a plumbing snake which is a long wire made of metal used to clear out clogs. This tool is designed to shred clogs and eliminate them fast.

Call AAA Drain Cleaning for Professional Help

If after attempting all of the slow draining tub home remedies, your tub is still draining slowly, contact or call AAA Drain Cleaning today! Do not risk damaging your pipes by trying other, harsher home remedies as that could end up costing you greatly in the future. Slow draining home remedies should be safe, easy and cost effective.