Plumbing involves the installation, repair, and maintenance of pipes that deliver fresh water and remove wastewater. It also includes the fixtures and appliances that make use of this water.
Pipes are the hidden heroes of plumbing, carrying water to and from sinks, showers, toilets, and appliances. Valves help regulate water flow and pressure. Traps keep sewer gases and odors from entering the house. Visit https://www.plumbing-express.com/ to learn more.
Fats, oils and grease (FOG) can seem harmless when they go down the drain but they can cause significant problems for sewer systems over time. This is because FOG does not dissolve in water and can easily clog pipes. This can lead to wastewater overflows and environmental contamination.
Oils and greases are made up of various hydrocarbon compounds that do not mix with water. They can be derived from petroleum like diesel fuel, lubricating oils and gasoline or animal fats such as bacon grease or lard. They also include other organic material such as hair, skin and paper. These substances can have many negative effects on the environment and human health.
Grease is used for lubrication to minimize friction between moving parts. It can be added to engine components to help prevent wear and tear on the equipment and keep bearings in place. It also protects against rust and corrosion. Grease can be formulated to have specific properties using a combination of additives including boundary lubricants such as molybdenum disulfide or graphite. These additives will reduce the amount of friction and wear caused by heavy loads or slow speeds.
While some people may pour grease into their sinks without a second thought or wash out pans with cooking grease, this can cause serious problems. As it cools, grease will solidify and can stick to other materials such as food, hair and paper. This creates a mass that blocks the drain.
When this material is sent to the sewer system, it can become a problem for the entire community. Grease can build up in the sewer system and overflow into homes and businesses. It can also interfere with the proper operation of the sewer system by reducing pipe capacity and preventing effective treatment at the wastewater plant.
The best way to deal with this issue is by educating the public on the proper disposal of FOG in the home and at business locations. This can be done through campaigns and programs promoting the use of grease traps or disposal bins. Businesses can also implement best management practices such as regular maintenance of machinery and immediate cleanup of spills to minimize the amount of FOG entering the sewer system.
Food Debris
Fats, oils and grease (FOG) that are washed down kitchen drains and garbage disposals or flushed down toilets contribute to costly sewer backups. FOG enters the system in a liquid state but solidifies inside the pipes over time, reducing the ability of the line to carry wastewater. The accumulation can cause sanitary sewer to overflow into homes, businesses, and streets. Restaurants can help reduce the risk of food-related clogs by training staff to scrape plates and disposing of excess waste in designated bins or composting systems. Also, installing drain strainers and ensuring non-flushable items are not being washed down the sink or commode can help.
Coffee grounds, eggshells and other non-fatty foods can also contribute to clogs when washed down the drain. Instead, dispose of these items in the trash or compost.
Tree Roots
Tree roots are a common and often costly cause of sewer line blockages. As they search for moisture and nutrients, the roots can sometimes find their way into your plumbing lines and clog them. This can lead to toilet backups and other unpleasant home issues. Understanding how trees interact with sewer lines can help you prevent problems and save money.
The primary ways that roots enter your drain pipes are through small cracks or misalignment and through the points where your pipes meet the ground. The pipes themselves can also become damaged due to erosion, ground movement, and settling. Once the roots find an entry point, they can grow rapidly, filling the pipe and clogging it.
Unlike the root cells of your houseplants, which absorb water through osmosis, the roots of a tree must take in moisture directly. To do this, they have a special pore inside their cells that is slightly saltier than the surrounding soil. The roots constantly seek this balance, moving inward and outward to ingest the water and salts that make up the surrounding environment. This is why they are so attracted to the nutrient-rich, water-filled vapors that escape from a broken or misaligned sewer line.
These vapors can be released even when there isn’t a leak or break in the line. As the vapors travel through the soil, they reach nearby roots and signal them to move toward the source. Because the pipes are underground, the roots can easily travel from the outside of the pipe to the inside, where they can quickly and aggressively invade and clog the line.
If the clogged pipe stays stationary, it can create a barrier between your home and the sewer system, preventing the normal flow of waste. This can cause sewage to back up into your drains and your toilets, producing putrid odors that are impossible to ignore.
The best way to protect your home from costly and inconvenient drain problems is to schedule regular inspections of your plumbing system. Our trained technicians can use video camera inspections to locate problem areas and recommend the most effective solution for you.
Human Waste
Every time you flush the toilet, a plumbing pipe transports wastewater—also called sewage—out of your home. This 3-5 foot pipe connects to your septic tank (or, in many urban areas, a public sewer system).
The sewage is sent on its way to a publicly owned wastewater treatment plant, where it undergoes a series of mechanical, biological and chemical processes to separate the water from the solid waste. The treated sewage is then either released back into the environment, or used as an agricultural fertilizer.
Unfortunately, sewage can also pose a health threat to humans and animals when it is not handled correctly. Poor sanitation leads to fecal sludge that can cause disease in people, while improper disposal of animal waste can contaminate soil and water bodies.
Consequently, a growing global need exists for improved human and animal waste management. As the world’s population increases, it is critical to find sustainable solutions that reduce and divert waste from landfills, while promoting safe, productive, and healthy living conditions.
While most homeowners know not to flush sanitary products down the toilet, such as baby wipes and unused medications, some may still be unaware of what else they should not dispose of down the drain. For instance, pouring cooking grease and oils down the drain can lead to clogged pipes. Also, putting raw meats or uncooked vegetables down the garbage disposal can increase bacteria in the sewage and contaminate drinking water.
Contact with sewage can spread dangerous bacterial diseases, such as Hepatitis A and E. Hepatitis A causes jaundice, yellowing of the eyes and liver problems, while Hepatitis E is contagious and affects mainly the stomach. These diseases can be spread by direct contact with sewage, as well as through hand-to-mouth or eye-to-eye contact. Indirect exposure to sewage can also occur when the contaminated water enters a person’s home through leaky pipes or a faulty septic system. Fortunately, sewage diseases are preventable by learning the common ways these diseases spread and contacting a plumber for sewage cleaning services as needed.