Sewer problems can cause severe damage to your home that is costly to repair. By understanding the most common causes of sewer problems in Elmhurst, IL , you can take necessary steps to avoid it. Protect your sewer line by avoiding these common causes of damage.

One of the most common culprits when there is a sewer problem is a clog. These clogs usually start with things you’re doing in your home that are inadvertently damaging your drains. For instance, flushing anything except waste and toilet paper is destined to create a clog, including wet wipes that may claim to be flushable. Pouring grease down any drain is a recipe for disaster, as is putting too much down the garbage disposal at once. Roots growing into sewer lines is another common cause of line damage. Although you can’t change the position of trees that are already on your property, avoid planting anything new near your sewer line that has roots that could do damage. Sometimes, sewer lines are simply old and collapse. If you notice the symptoms of sewer line damage, like backed up drains, call a plumber for repairs before the damage gets worse.

At McCoy Sewer & Plumbing, in addition to our extensive sewer repair services, we also provide general plumbing services to fit your needs. From kitchen sink repair to fixes for clogged pipes in Elmhurst, IL , choose us when you’re looking for residential plumbers or commercial plumbing contractors.

We have been providing general plumbing services for residential and commercial properties, including maintenance, repair, and installation of new products, for over 20 years. No job is too large or small for our licensed, insured, and bonded team of plumbing experts. We repair clogged drains, fix bathroom and kitchen sinks, and solve garbage disposal problems. You can also call us for help thawing frozen pipes, for professional drain cleaning, or to repair or replace your water heater.

Because we’re committed to your satisfaction and providing complete transparency, we offer free estimates up front instead of charging you simply to know what is wrong before any work begins. Choose us for competitive pricing, reliable service, and quality work. Our parts and services are backed by warranties to ensure the job gets done right, every time.

Many homeowners aren’t aware that regular, professional drain cleaning services should be part of the home maintenance routine. If you have been skipping drain and pipe cleaning regularly, then you may be surprised to learn about the benefits. Professional drain cleaner services in Elmhurst, IL can improve the functioning of your plumbing and help you avoid major issues in the future. Here is what you need to know.

Reduce Sewer Blockages

Over time, blockages can build up in drains and pipes that haven’t been cleaned regularly. Although small blockages, such as slow drains in the shower caused by hair, may be easy to fix on your own, a more serious blockage could be developing inside of your drain pipes that could cause serious sewer problems. When that occurs, all of the drains in your home may clog, water may spurt out of your drains when you flush the toilet, and eventually, and overflow or burst pipes can cause significant damage to your home.

Prevent Foul Odors

Without the periodic service of a professional drain cleaner, mold and bacteria will accumulate in your drains and cause odors. The flow of water through the drains and pipes from normal usage is not sufficient to clean away the odor-causing particles, which thrive in the damp, dark environment of your drains and pipes. These bacteria and mold can even make your family sick if they grow in large enough numbers. Regular drain cleaning will remove them completely, preventing odors and the potential for illness.

Protect Your Home from Damage

When drains and pipes aren’t cleaned, small blockages turn into large ones, pipes can become corroded, and backflow can occur from your toilet. The water that will spill into your home if this occurs is waste water which not only causes water damage, but also allows dangerous bacteria to seep into your walls and flooring. To repair this kind of damage, all of the affected areas must typically be removed, which can be extremely costly and time consuming.

When you experience a problem with your sewer line, fast repairs by professional plumbers are essential to avoid significant damage. Regular sewer service in Elmhurt, IL can help you avoid sewer problems or catch issues in their early stages, before they cause difficulties. Here is what you need to know about taking care of your sewer system and recognizing the signs of an impending sewer problem.

Sewer Maintenance

One common part of home maintenance people often overlook is their sewer line. This negligence can lead to costly backups and overflows that cause major damage to your home. Fortunately, there are things you can do to keep your sewer line in good working order. Never pour grease down any drain in your home, including the garbage disposal. If you don’t have a disposal, put drain traps over your drains to keep large pieces of food from falling down. Avoid flushing diapers, sanitary napkins, paper, and wet wipes down your toilet, even if the packaging says it is safe to do so. Don’t plant trees, bushes, or shrubs near your sewer line, as the roots could puncture the line and cause a failure. Regular pipe and drain cleaning can also help.

Sewer Repair

It is important to be aware of the symptoms of a sewer problem so that you can call a plumber as soon as possible. Multiple clogged drains are a major sign that a sewer failure could be coming. Although it is normal for one drain to become clogged, when more than one drain is clogged at the same time, your sewer line could be to blame, especially if drains that are seldom used get clogged. You may also notice water backing up into the drains when you flush the toilet. When you flush your toilet, bubbles may appear in the bowl as water tries to rush past a blockage. Any time your toilets don’t flush as efficiently as they used to and plunging them doesn’t help, your sewer line could be to blame and should be evaluated by a plumber.

Broken pipes in Elmhurst are never fun to deal with. They can result in costly repairs not only from the emergency plumber , but also from contractors repairing water damaged areas of the house. Drywall, carpeting, and personal possessions can become damaged if a broken pipe leads to a flood or an unseen leak. If you suspect you have a broken pipe, call for plumbing services right away. Continue reading for a few key clues that you may have a broken pipe.

Clogged Drains and Toilets

A clogged drain or toilet every once in a while is not always a big deal, but if your drains are constantly backing up—or you have an immovable clog—then you may be looking at broken pipes. Often, your pipes may have finally cracked due to improper installation, insufficient materials, or tree roots. Call your emergency plumber, and get to the bottom of your pipe problem before it becomes a bigger issue.

Mold Growth

If you had frozen pipes, and they thawed out, you may start to see mold growth in your ceiling, walls, or basement. If you see this, then you know for sure you have a broken pipe or moisture entering your home. Your plumber can root out the cause of the leaky pipes; you should also consider calling for mold removal before your home or your health suffers further damages.

Extra Landscape Growth

A lesser-known symptom of broken pipes is when a portion of your outside landscape begins to flourish. Sewage can be a great fertilizer for plants and grass. If you see part of your yard looking green and lush, but you have not watered any more than usual, then you may be looking at a sewer repair.

Rodent and Insect Infestations

Rodents and insects are drawn to moisture, food, and rot. When you have a sudden infestation of rats or insects—especially cockroaches and drain flies—then you could be looking at a leaky or broken pipe that is attracting these annoying pests. After you call for plumbing services, be sure to call a professional exterminator.

Even though the weather is heating up, you can never be too prepared for winter to arrive. As the cooler months start coming back, you need to keep your home from suffering frozen pipes near Elmhurst . There are a few ways you can keep your pipes from freezing this winter with preparation in the summertime.

Drain Nonessential Water Supplies

Before winter starts, you should be winterizing your home to protect from cold temperatures. Summer is the ideal time, because you will not have to worry about the occasional evening with freezing temperatures as you would in the fall. You should also be winterizing your summer appliances—such as the swimming pool, sprinklers, and garden hoses—as summer winds down to keep your pipes from potentially bursting. Open up these water lines and let them drain. Hoses may still have water present in them, so open the outside valve so any remaining water will not risk the pipes.

Insulate Exposed Water Pipes

One of the most important ways to prevent frozen pipes is to insulate them against the cold. If you have any exposed pipes outside the house, or in a cold basement, then look into different insulation materials. There are pipe sleeves and tape specifically meant to fully cover pipes against cold weather. These sleeves can be found at your local hardware store or with your plumbing services. Some homeowners, typically in milder climates, can protect their pipes with newspapers and plastic bags. These methods should only be used if you are in a pinch. Buy proper piping insulation as soon as you are able.

Keep the Heat Running

You want your heater running at certain temperatures and times of the day to keep your pipes from bursting. If you leave for vacation, keep your heater going while you are away. Though there will be no one there to enjoy the heat, you cut down on the risk of a frozen and broken pipe. Also, try to keep your heater consistent in temperature throughout the day and night. Your pipes can retain the benefit of the heater when the temperature drops at night.

To avoid clogged drains near Elmhurst, it is best to keep a plunger in the house. You can use a plunger to clear most drains before needing to call for plumbing services. However, the more extensive the clog or pipe repair becomes, the more it becomes necessary to call your plumber for professional plumbing services .

Watch the short video for more information on how to keep your drains clear of clogs. If you have a clog in your sink or bathtub, you can use your plunger to try to remove it. Be sure you have water in the sink or tub to give the plunger a good seal around the drain. When you run your garbage disposal, you should always have water running in the system. Cold water should be used while running the disposal, and then turn it to hot to help wash the food remains down the drain.

Occasionally, the handy do-it-yourselfer homeowner can handle a minor clogged drain or toilet repair. What homeowners should not handle are sewer repairs in Elmhurst . These repairs can become very costly and lead to even bigger issues if they are not handled by professional plumbing services from the beginning. Here is a look at some of the services offered by McCoy Sewer & Plumbing:

In addition to residential and commercial plumbing services, McCoy Sewer & Plumbing offers comprehensive sewer repair services. Basic services include sewer cleaning and video camera inspections. These practices are essential to keeping your drains and pipes running smoothly. If your sewer needs a clean-out—a capped location allowing access to a structure’s drain pipes—can be installed. Your home or building may also need a sump pump, lift station, or emergency backup system for sufficient flood control in your basement.

Most of the typical home’s plumbing system is out of sight; however, it should not be out of mind. When choosing piping for a new home or a renovation, it’s important that you know the different kinds and their advantages. This video from This Old House offers some insight.

Galvanized steel was the standard pipe for a long time, but today is only used for limited retrofitting. Most plumbers today use copper piping for more expansive projects. That said, the high cost of copper has led many to use PVC and CPVC plastic piping. Still others turn to multicolored PEX piping, which is inexpensive and very easy to install. This video also touches on various pipe fittings and methods used to create a water-tight seal.

Choosing the right type of pipe is vital for your home plumbing. Though you should always heed the advice of your Elmhurst plumber , it helps to know more about what you’re agreeing to. For example, you might take a minute to learn about the differences between two common types of piping: PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) and copper.

PEX piping usually comes in different colors, including blue for cold water and red for hot. It’s also very flexible and requires fewer fittings, making it very easy for plumbers to install. PEX piping can save you in terms of material cost and in the cost of labor. Copper, though more expensive, is a tried and true piping material because it resists corrosion and is unaffected by UV light. That said, copper can corrode if the pH of your local water is too acidic or too basic. PEX also has its share of disadvantages: for example, it can’t be used outside and it can’t be recycled. The type of piping you choose depends on your budget, the nature of the project, and several other factors.