Why You Shouldn't Treat Your Drains Like a Trash Can

A sewer stoppage is a very serious problem that can be considered a distinct health problem. Since the sewer water has no place to go, it will all come back up into the household plumbing system in one way or another. When you have a sewer drain clog, you should not use any of the plumbing in the home until the stoppage is cleared.

If you suspect that you have a sewer stoppage, it is important to confirm this and clear it as soon as possible.

There are several signs that you may have a sewer drain clog:

Multiple Fixtures Are Not Draining

A very obvious sign of a stopped up sewer is when more than one plumbing fixture backs up at the same time. Toilets, in particular, are affected by this, but other fixtures can also be involved. If you suspect that you have a sewer stoppage, start by checking other fixtures in the home.

Toilets:

Toilets have the most direct path to the sewer and the biggest drain line in the house, so if there is a problem with the sewer drain, you will first notice it here. It is rare to have a main line sewer stoppage and still have toilets working correctly.

Tub and shower:

Other drains typically affected by a main line stoppage are those in the tub and shower. This is due to the fact that they sit at a lower level than sink drains. Check whether the tub and shower drains are blocked if you suspect a sewer stoppage.

Flush the toilet:

 If flushing the toilet results in water backing up or coming up into the tub or shower, this is usually a clear sign of a sewer stoppage. The flushed water that cannot go down the sewer drain flows back up the pipes and comes out at the lowest point, which is usually the shower drain.

Run the sink: 

Another strange reaction to look for is trapped air in the plumbing system. Do this by running water in the sink closest to the toilet for a minute or so. If the toilet bubbles or you can see the water level in the toilet rising, then the stoppage is very likely in the main sewer line and not in the toilet.

Washing machine: 

An unexpected sign of a sewer drain clog can happen when you run the washing machine. If the water draining out of the washing machine causes the toilet to overflow or backs up into the tub or shower, it could be a sign the sewer main is clogged.​ Note: This symptom can just be a washing machine and shower problem and not a sewer drain stoppage. If the toilets are still flushing fine while this occurs, then this is likely due to a washing machine stoppage and not a sewer main.

Drainage at the Clean-Out:

If you have a main line clean-out, you have an additional way of verifying a sewer drain clog. Locate the clean-out if you don’t already know where it is. Open the clean-out by either unscrewing or pulling to remove the cap. Check the clean-out for any waste or water that may be backing up there. Normally, no water should be coming up the clean-out pipe. If water is flowing up and out of the clean-out or standing in the pipe, this confirms that you have a main line sewer stoppage.

Once you have verified a sewer stoppage, you can move on to clearing it. Clearing a sewer drain requires a sewer drain snake. You can either call a professional plumber or rent the machine and clear it yourself. Either way, a sewer drain clog should be cleared as quickly as possible.

A sewer line stoppage creates big problems with your home plumbing, requiring sewer line repair. If you’ve noticed that your drainage system has started to slow down and perhaps heard a gurgling sound coming from your toilet bowl, now may be the time to act.

 We can install new sewer lines or repair currently broken sewer lines.

We service a variety of sewer line repairs and installations:

Sewer and drain line replacement, Sewer snaking

Clogged sewer lines and drains

Experience unnoticed drainage problems? Worry no more! Our Plumbers are equipped with unrivaled expertise, knowledge, and state-of-the-art equipment to execute a thorough plumbing inspection and identify the origin of unusual odors, water damage, and any drainage system issues you might be facing.

We pride ourselves on delivering the highest level of customer service. To us, this means finding the ultimate solution to alleviate your drain issues, big or small. We aren't interested in assigning an arbitrary scope of work, but are genuinely committed to determining and doing what's truly best for you. So, step into a world without drain headaches, we're here to help!

1. Uncooked Pasta/Rice-Swells when dry or cooked grains allowed to run down kitchen drains.
2. Egg Shell
3. Coffee Grounds
4. Cooking Oil-Fat
5. Motor Oil
6. Grease – Note that this includes cooked/melted fat from meat, poultry, sausage, bacon, skin as well as gravy.
7. Animal Feces
8. Stickers
9. Female Sanitary Products
10. Condoms
11. Paper Towels
12. Flushabe Wipes
13. Cotton Balls
14. Cleaning Solutions/Paint/Solvents
15. Medicine
16. Fruit Pits
17. Large Bones
18. Flour
19. Celery/Corn Husks and other types of stringy foods
20. Aquariam Rocks
21. Melted Wax/Candles

DO NOT USE DRAIN CLEANERS. We recommend enzyme based bacterial drain products which is not harmful to your plumbing system.

Don't allow hair to go down the lavatory drain if possible. Dispose of it in the trash.

Improve the performance of your drain system by regularly applying a mixture of baking soda and vinegar or an organic-type drain cleaner.

Periodically fill the sink with water and then release it to flush your piping.

Don't use harsh drain cleaners. They're poisonous, give off harmful fumes when used and can harm skin and eyes. And they can corrode garbage disposals and brass, steel, "metal" and cast-iron traps and drainpipes.

Toilets

Clean the toilet bowl regularly with vinegar and baking soda. Spray the sides with vinegar, pour a cup of vinegar into the bowl, sprinkle a brush with baking soda and scrub.

Bathtubs and Showers

Regularly remove hair from the strainer in the shower and dispose of it in the trash.

Treat the drain regularly with baking soda and vinegar.

If the drain becomes slow or plugs up, apply a mixture of baking soda and vinegar or an organic drain cleaner.

Remove the strainer or stopper and remove as much material as possible by fishing it out with a length of wire (such as a clothes hanger) bent to make a small hook on one end.

Disposal

Run water into it before, during and after use to help soften and rinse particles.

Use an old toothbrush and dish soap to scrub the area inside the rubber seal and the bottom of the drain to reduce visible buildup.

Don’t be afraid to grind small bones. As they break down, they help agitate buildup in the housing.

Dispose of small pieces of citrus peels more often. Lemon peel extract is naturally antibacterial and can release oils to clean and disinfect. Bonus: Any citrus will combat bad smells.

DO NOT USE DRAIN CLEANERS. We recommend enzyme based bacterial drain products which is not harmful to your plumbing system.

In Central Arkansas, the main reasons why customers typically require drain repair include:

• Breakdown or collapse of pipes
• Presence of cracks, holes, and punctures
• Corrosion on metal surfaces
• Large tree roots encircling pipes
• Small tree roots located within the pipes
• Loose drain connections
• Warping and deformation
• Unsecured pipe connections
• Leaky pipe joints.

Sewer Line Replacement and Repair Material Approval for Little Rock and North Little Rock

Cast Iron Soil Pipe:

Conforms with ASTM A 74 specifications. The approved pipe type is a Bell and Spigot pipe, fitted with rubber gaskets that meet ASTM C 564 standards. The connection method is push-on and employs a rubber gasket.

Ductile Iron Pipe:

Option 1: Compliant with ANSI A 21.51. The joint instructions are identical to those of water main pipe.

Option 2: Adheres to ASTM A 746. This type utilizes a push-on system and requires rubber gasket joints for proper connection.

Polyethylene pipe SDR 17 or thicker.

This pipe is for use in Trenchless Pipe Installation ie: Boring and Bursting

SEWER LINE COSTS

Sewer lines carry sewage away from your home to the local wastewater utility main to be transported to the treatment plant for treatment and disposal in an approved method.

 At times, you may get away with a small repair for a few hundred dollars. However, if your sewer line is old or the problem is of a large magnitude, you are left with no choice but replacing the entire sewer line.

Although sewer lines are built and designed to last a long time, they are certainly not meant to last forever. The older the line, the more problems you are likely to have with it. Most sewer lines in our area were installed using Clay Pipe, Orangeburg that is a form of bituminous piping (paper and tar), thin wall PVC and cast iron. Cast iron is the most durable and is an approved piping material for use as a sewer line. Thus, If you have to routinely once or twice a year have to have your sewer line rodded or if your home, is 30 years old or older you might consider having the line videoed to determine the condition of the line.

The cost of replacing a sewer line is determined by several factors, such as length and depth of sewer line, private and public underground utilities, sprinkler systems, fences and landscaping among other site conditions.

Trees roots are primarily responsible for most of the sewer line problems, but other conditions such as improper installation, ground movement and other conditions are also contributing factors.

The cost of maintaining a sewer line by rodding is anywhere from $200.00 to $600.00. for each occurance

The cost to video a line is from $150.00 to $500.00 depending if it is camered at the time of rodding or as a one time expense. Some lines can not be videoed such as when they are stopped up or the condition of the pipe.

You should expect to pay anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 towards replacement cost.

It may cost you about $50 - $130.00 a foot, which comes to around $5,500 - $6,500 for a 100-foot sewer pipe. However, if the line is difficult to access or deeply set, then the cost can go as high as $7,000 - $15,000 or more. The average sewer line length in the Little Rock/North Little Rock area is 60’ to 70’. The shorter the distance the higher the price per foot will be.

Other costs that will contribute to the cost of replacement is Shoring or sloping of the ditch which is required by OSHA for depths over 5’ $600.00 - $1,000.00 and unforeseen difficulties, which will not be known until excavation has started, this would include rocks, underwater springs, old building foundations, concrete slabs, etc…

All contracts should include the price of the permit and inspection from the local wastewater utility.

Another item most homeowners are not aware of is that they also own that portion of the line that is under the public right of way (street/alley) and the connection to the sewer main. The local utilities offer a program that if the sewer line is up to currents codes that for an additional fee they will maintain the line in the right of way provided the current lines meets code.

There maybe programs available to help on the maintenance and replacement of your sewer line.

 Little Rock Wastewater offers a program to help offset the cost of the replacement of a sewer line that is made of unapproved material for residential use: i.e. Clay, Orangeburg, and unapproved PVC piping. Other factors my also be considered for replacement of the sewer line. As of this date up to $2,500.00 is available, but is on a first come first paid basis and is not required to be repaid.. Certain stipulations apply to this program. Funding for this is a surcharge on Little Rock customers water bill.

  North Little Rock is offering a program from Utility Service Partners/Service Line Warranty that is upon your approval billed on your monthly water bill to pay for the maintenance/repair and replacement of your sewer line up to a certain amount as long as you are a member of the program. As of this date the program will pay up to $4,000.00 and your only out of pocket expense is your monthly dues. This program is not paid for or administered by the City Of North Little Rock.