Pollutants rich in nitrogen have caused problems for Florida's Indian River Lagoon for decades. The environmental imbalance causes plants and wildlife to suffer and die. This has been very concerning for local residents and governmental agencies. It had been assumed that the impurities were caused by lawn fertilizer runoff. However, a new report dictates that the main threat to the Lagoon is actually caused by sewage seeping into it. Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute conducted a 5-year study on the topic. They monitored levels of impurities in the lagoon for 2 years before an area-wide restriction was placed ...
Read MoreThe side sewer carries wastewater from sinks, toilets and other drains to the public sewer. If you own your house or business then you also own your side sewer and are responsible for its maintenance and repair. Being familiar with the side sewer can help you understand what is happening should it ever need repair. Most Frequent Issues There are a variety of problems which can arise with the side sewer. They can develop cracks or leaks which can cause a lot of problem in the long run. They are constructed by several pipe joints which may not match up ...
Read MoreNo homeowner wants to deal with major catastrophic damage in or around their home. This is because it can get pretty expensive and all the work being done can really affect your daily life. Before an issue gets to be catastrophic, it can be nipped in the bud as they say. Today we are discussing sewer lines. These exit pipes from your home go fully unnoticed when functioning properly. But when they fail to perform, the results are noticeable right away. Usually a sewer line will be totally collapsed or failing in other ways before people address the problem. It ...
Read MoreAn example of a very badly damaged seal. This is mold eating away at the seal which allows sewage gas to enter the room. There are many possibilities as to what could be causing your home to smell like sewage. But the bottom line is that sewage or sewage bi-products are exposed to the air in your home in one fashion or another. In this article we will go over some of the ways in which this is possibly happening. Dried Out P-Trap Of all the possibilities this is the most common. The P-Trap uses a bend in the pipe ...
Read MoreThis is Florida. We are very close to sea-level and would be wading around in marsh land most of the time if it weren't for elaborate canal systems and drainage ditches. Everything has to run smoothly as far as the canal system goes to keep flooding from occurring, especially after rainstorms. This holds true for your home plumbing system as well. Some people may experience their drains backing up after a heavy rainstorm. This is not normal. This means something is not working properly in your home plumbing system. Your sewer drain is allowing a backflow of water which it ...
Read MoreThe two types of systems make up the overwhelming majority of methods to remove wastewater from the home. Fundamentally they work the same but a closer look reveals the differences between the two systems. Many people have lived in homes with both types of systems and they have their own preferences. There is no clear cut winner in the debate. (more…)
Read MoreThis is a conundrum that is never anticipated, nor much thought about, until it actually happens to you. One day, while using your restroom, you may catch a whiff of sewage and think nothing of it. But then some time goes by and the next thing you know you have sewage liquids showing up in your bathtub. A sewage backup caused by a block is not the end of the world but it is not a pleasant experience by any means. Don't panic. Here are some steps of what you need to do: (more…)
Read MoreYou probably have suffered from clogged drains before and were able to resolve it either using a commercial drain cleaner or by calling a professional plumber. We all know that drains get clogged, but what are they clogged with? Here is a list of the six most common reasons for the clog: Hair - Human hair is designed to protect us from sun and weather. But it is also designed to replace itself in a cycle over time. This means that your hair is constantly falling out. Most of the time this occurs in your shower and when you wash ...
Read MoreThere is no mistaking the foul smell of a stinky drain. But where is the smell actually coming from? To get rid of the foul odor, you have to first correctly identify the cause of it. There are a few different reasons why a sink or shower drain emits a foul smell. Here are the reasons why and what you should do about them so you are not stuck smelling yuck or biding time until that big plumbing problem occurs. The Common Culprit More often than not a smelly drain is caused by a clog. Over time, drains become gunked ...
Read MoreSewer bubbles are those small bubbles than can pop up in your home’s drains or even the toilet. They can be a source of concern if you don’t know what is causing them. Sewer bubbles are basically caused by air getting trapped in your pipes near the surface of the drain as a result of slow moving drainage. This usually happens because of improper venting or a clog somewhere down the pipeline. A Vacuum Effect The improper venting causes restriction in the flow of water. It can cause backups in your home leading to costly repair bills. A clogged vent ...
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