Plumbing problems can range from a small leak under the kitchen or bathroom sink to a massive clog that blocks the outflow of sewage. Unfortunately, the repair of a plumbing problem is never as simple as it appears. Consider the case of a blockage in the drains. The first step that a Plumber in Reno should take is locating the clog and its cause. Clogs occur in several places including the pipe traps that prevent the return of sewer gasses and the main line that connects the building to a septic system or municipal sewage lines.
Eliminating a clog in the pipe traps may require the removal of the trap for cleaning. Pipe traps, or p-traps, are connected just below every drain. Fixtures such as a toilet have the trap built in, which makes them harder to clean. However, toilets clogs can be eliminated with a small tool commonly known as a snake. Toilet snakes use a thin cable that is flexible enough to fit through the trap and break up any blockage. A larger version of this tool is known as a pipe snake or rooter. Its function is to reach deep inside the sewer pipes, and the tool should be strong enough to destroy large clogs. Once the sewage is flowing again, a Plumber in Reno may suggest visually examining the lines.
Video inspection of sewer pipes uses a tool that is based on the pipe snake. Placing a camera on a flexible cable allows plumbers to probe deep inside long runs of pipe. Of course, accessing the sewage lines can be a bit difficult. Newer plumbing installations should have a capped fitting that works well for this purpose, but older sewer lines usually do not. In the latter case, the plumber will need to remove the toilet that is closest to the exterior of the building.
Sometimes, a sewer clog is the result of damaged pipe or loose fittings. There are two ways to fix this problem. The first is to dig a trench and replace the pipe. This provides a reliable, long-term solution at the expense of serious lawn damage. The alternative is trenchless repair. This is a sleeve that fits inside the sewer line and eliminates leaks or root growth. Contact us for more information about plumbing repairs and installations.
