What To Do When Something Gets Flushed Down the Toilet (That Shouldn't Have)
Rachel Kline • October 19, 2019
Tips from the septic experts who've seen it all!
Regular septic maintenance is necessary to keep things flushing smoothly. Whether your home is old or new, if you cook, do laundry, take baths or wash dishes, you are going to need to address your pipes and your drain line every few years to ensure things are working properly and your septic system is doing its job. Occasionally, we get calls for more "unusual" situations... A toy or a valuable has been flushed down the drain and it's clogging the pipe (or a panicked homeowner is afraid to flush the toilet again!)
Is your child's favorite toy or your father's antique watch gone for good? Not always. In fact, in many cases we've been able to help homeowners retrieve lost items with the help of a sewer cable or auger. Keep reading to learn more about drain line cleaning and which is the best option for your every day septic backup or those mischievous missing toys!
Cabling
When it's not possible to get a hose reel into your home or business - in the event your problem is on the second floor, or your restaurant kitchen is on a lower level etc - we can address your problem with a sewer cable or auger. A cable is also a better option if you're trying to retrieve something from the drain line, for example, a toddler flushed something down the drain and you need it back. Or, there are times when adding more water to the line is not possible so a jet would be out of the question. In these situations, our technicians would use a sewer cable or auger to unclog your drain line and avoid a mess. A sewer cable or auger is a coiled cable inside of a drum, attached to a motor that feeds the cable down the line. This can either "grab" the clog in your line or force it out of the pipe to get things flowing again.
With the help of technology, we can insert our video camera line as well to help locate a clog or missing toy/item that shouldn't have been flushed. We've used camera technology to help homeowners out of all kind of situations. Sometimes a clog isn't a clog at all - it's a tree root that's gotten into the drain line, obstructing the flow of waste water, or it's grease buildup that's narrowed the pipe altogether.
High Pressure Jetting
Your sinks are draining slowly and your shower is filling up... Your dish washing sink is clogged and your hand wash sink seems to be backing up as well. Sounds like you have a clog that requires a high pressure jet. A high pressure jet is used when you (or a plumber) is unable to resolve your clog with a "snake" or other DIY solutions. This is typically because the clog is much further down your pipes, or because the pipe has grown closed over time due to grease buildup and other debris. A jetting system consists of a specialized hose reel confined to a truck or trailer. High pressure water from the hose can break down dirt, debris and grease buildup in your pipes. It's a highly efficient way to remove a clog and open drain lines, but it also has it's limitations. Because the hose reel and pressure system is attached to a truck or trailer, the technician servicing your pipes must be able to park closely to your home or business.
Whether you're dealing with grease buildup at your busy restaurant or your bathroom sink is backing up due to a flushed Paw Patrol vehicle, we can help. We've been in the septic business for over 60 years so give us a call to request service for your drain line or septic system today.
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