South East Total Service

Tips to prevent frozen pipes as temperatures dip below freezing

Fri, 22 Mar 2019 02:54:00 GMT

The post Tips to prevent frozen pipes as temperatures dip below freezing appeared first on South East Total Service .

Five Signs You May Need to Replace Your Hot Water Heater

Wed, 30 May 2018 02:23:00 GMT

Signs Your Septic System Needs Service

Wed, 30 May 2018 02:22:00 GMT

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Five Signs You Need Drain Cleaning Services

Wed, 30 May 2018 02:21:00 GMT

To be on the safe side, you should really look into getting your building’s drains cleaned at least once a year. However, if you notice any of the following issues, then you should contact a professional plumber to come out right away.

Most Common Clues

The important thing to keep in mind is that if you notice any of these signs, you want to find a solution immediately. These issues might seem minor at first, but if you do nothing, then you risk much larger complications coming up. Therefore, it is in your best interest to remedy the situation promptly. Some typical signs your drains need thorough cleaning include:

Odor coming from the drain, which is usually a result of food or hair getting stuck in there
Toilet almost overflows any time you try to flush it
Standing water in your sink, tub or other fixture
Water flows back into your sink instead of flowing downward
Fixture still drains, albeit incredibly slowly

While it can be tempting to try to fix these problems on your own, you may end up causing more damage if you do not know what you are doing. Always play it on the safe side and get your drains cleaned by the experts. Contact South East Total Service at 423-499-2911.

How to Tell If You Need Sewer Line Repair or Replacement

Wed, 30 May 2018 02:20:00 GMT

All Fixtures Drain Slowly

A clog may develop in your sink or tub. If just one fixture is draining slowly, then you generally do not have to worry about your sewer line. However, if all the fixtures in your house are having problems, then there is a systemic issue that needs to be addressed.

Awful Smells Come Up

A sewer line that has backed up will cause intense smells to develop all-around your property. You may smell these pungent odors in your home or yard, but you need to have someone investigate immediately.

Changing Water Levels In Toilet

After you flush, you should have a good idea of where the water level should be. If the water replenishment starts becoming haphazard, then you have a problem. Sometimes it may fill up with hardly any water, and occasionally, it will fill up almost to the brim.
Sewer lines need routine maintenance to ensure they continue operating efficiently. Contact South East Total Service at 423-499-2911 to find a professional who can get your sewer line back in great condition.

The post How to Tell If You Need Sewer Line Repair or Replacement appeared first on South East Total Service .

Troubles with your home’s sewer line can lead to numerous inconveniences around the house. You may need either repairs or a total replacement, but either way, you should have a professional look at it so that you know what job is best.

When to Repipe Your Home

Wed, 30 May 2018 02:19:00 GMT

Pipes Are Too Old

Pipes are ordinarily out of durable materials, so they can last for decades. The thing to keep in mind is that if you have moved into a rather old house, then there is a chance the pipes are from when it was first built. An inspection from a professional will let you know how old your home’s pipes are and how much longer they have. It is better to get them replaced before they burst than afterward.

Pipes Are Excessively Damaged

One of your drains clogging is probably not too much cause for concern. However, if the pipes are clogging frequently, then there is likely a structural issue at play. You also need to be mindful if leaks are building up excessively. For homeowners who are unsure, contacting a professional plumber will allow your system to get inspected, and you will know the best way to proceed.
Old pipes can cause a lot of trouble, including flooding. Get ahead of this issue by contacting South East Total Service at 423-499-2911 to find a qualified plumber.

The post When to Repipe Your Home appeared first on South East Total Service .

Are Tree Roots Causing Frequent Clogs? Here Are Options For Clearing Them Out Of Your Sewer Drain

Wed, 30 May 2018 02:18:00 GMT

Confirm Roots Are the Problem

A video inspection is the best way to find out what’s going on inside the drain. The plumber sends a small camera into the pipe and watches the video it sends back in real time on a monitor. The picture is clear enough to see the sides of the drain and identify problems. Tree roots may be invading a gap in a joint or crack in the pipe.

In addition to confirming the presence of tree roots, the inspection is useful for determining the health of the pipe. If the pipe is in pretty good shape, the plumber may recommend cutting out the roots as a temporary fix. If the pipe is damaged to the point that it has collapsed in place, you’re probably looking at the need for a sewer line replacement.

Besides all this information, a video inspection also helps the plumber pinpoint the location of the drain. While the camera is in the pipe it emits a signal that can be detected above ground. The plumber uses this signal to note the location of the pipe and mark the spot with spray paint or a stake.
The camera advances several feet and its location is marked again. When the camera is pulled out, there is a clear indication of where the pipe is located, which is necessary to know if it needs to be excavated.

Clearing the Roots Temporarily

Tree roots can be removed with a sewer snake or by hydro jetting. Both of these methods destroy the roots and push them on through the pipe. When they’re gone, your drains all empty quickly again. The results of this treatment are only temporary because the roots will eventually grow back. As long as there is a gap or crack in the pipe, roots will return.

You may need to have a repeat service call one or two times a year to keep the sewer drain cleaned out. There will probably come a time when the drain will fail due to the root invasion. When roots wiggle in, they make cracks bigger and bigger until the pipe eventually collapses on itself. When this happens the drain needs to be replaced.

A Permanent Fix For the Problem

The permanent solution for tree roots in your sewer drain is to replace the drain. Roots won’t be able to get inside the new drain if it is free from cracks and the joints are sealed tight. If your drain needs to be replaced, your plumber may recommend digging up the old pipe and exchanging it with a new one.
This involves using heavy machinery to dig a trench to uncover the old pipe. This will tear up your yard a little, but once the work is done, your yard will be restored to the best degree possible. You may need to place seeds or sod above the drain after the trench is filled in to cover the soil with grass.
Sewer problems can be scary. You have to deal with unsanitary conditions and you have to make decisions about equipment you probably know nothing about. Call South East Total Service when you need help.
You get expert advice on how to solve your plumbing problem, and when you have the drain cleared or replaced, you can count on great service and expert workmanship.

The post Are Tree Roots Causing Frequent Clogs? Here Are Options For Clearing Them Out Of Your Sewer Drain appeared first on South East Total Service .

Four Common Signs of a Broken Sewer Line

Wed, 30 May 2018 02:16:00 GMT

Damaged sewer lines can bring a lot of misery to homeowners, but sewer breaks are often difficult to detect until the problem becomes severe or property is damaged. In addition, the health hazards of exposure to raw sewage are significant, and several serious illnesses can be transmitted through direct contact with wastewater.

These reasons are why it is important to know the warning signs of a sewer line problem. Below are four indicators that your home’s sewer pipes may be broken or leaking.

Sluggish Draining

One of the first signs that your home’s sewer lines may be broken or leaking is the presence of sluggish drains or toilets that don’t flush well. Poor draining sinks and tubs are often due to ordinary clogs, but repeated drain problems or slow draining in multiple plumbing fixtures indicate your sewer line may be compromised.

Likewise, if your toilets don’t flush, or if they gurgle or bubble when flushed, then a possible cause is a broken sewer line. As with sinks and tubs, a toilet that flushes with hesitation may be simply clogged. However, if the problem can’t be resolved with a plunger or closet auger, then you should consult with a plumber to have an in-depth evaluation performed.

Backed Up Toilets and Drains

Another possible indicator that your sewer lines are damaged is when toilets or drains back up into the home. This problem can occur whenever outside water penetrates the broken line and forces its way up into your toilet or drains.

Heavy rain or other water accumulation makes the problem worse, and if you notice a correlation between lots of rain and sewer backups, a broken line is likely the cause. In addition, keep in mind that widespread backups across your home are indicative of sewer line damage, while isolated backups are often simply due to clogs.

Wet Spots in the Yard

Every homeowner loves a lush, green lawn but not at the expense of a broken sewer line. If your grass is unexpectedly thriving, particularly in patches or only certain areas, then suspect a broken sewer line is “feeding” the growth with moisture and nutrients.

Of course, if you discover unexplained wet spots in your lawn, green growth or not, then it’s also worth investigating whether a broken sewer line is a culprit. Fresh water lines can cause wet spots, but you can usually tell if the mushy ground is a result of wastewater exposure because it will smell.

The smell of rotten eggs or a “fishy” odor are common sewage odors. If the line is broken between your home and the sewer main, these smells can occur both inside and outside your home. However, sewer gas also causes offensive odors so a licensed plumber will need to diagnose whether or not the smell is caused by a broken line.

In addition, the presence of raw sewage on your property is also a threat to health, so don’t delay in getting professional help.

Cracked or Broken Foundations

Foundation damage can also be caused by a broken sewer line. Uneven moisture exposure affects the ground surrounding foundations and causes it to heave and swell. These movements are destructive and can break the concrete.

A sewer line leak directly under your foundation can be harder to detect, since no signs of moisture may be present. However, always be on the watch for cracking in walls or doors that won’t shut, as these are often indicators of a slab that is shifting.

If you suspect you have a sewage leak, or if you just aren’t sure what is causing your plumbing woes, be sure to contact South East Total Service for help. Their professionals can diagnose your problems and correct them quickly.

The post Four Common Signs of a Broken Sewer Line appeared first on South East Total Service .

Dream of Owning a More Luxurious Bathroom? 4 Features to Include While Remodeling

Wed, 30 May 2018 02:10:00 GMT

If your main goal is to make your bathroom more luxurious, there are several projects that you should focus on. The following features can all be completed by a plumber and can make big improvements to your bathroom for daily use and when you want to unwind with a nice shower or soak in the bathtub.

High-End Showerhead

Replacing the showerhead can make a big impact in your daily use of the bathroom since it can affect everything from the water pressure to the way that your bathroom looks. If you’re especially interested in getting a rain showerhead installed due to its high-end look, you should look into what is involved in removing your existing showerhead and getting the new one installed.

With the average minimum cost of buying a showerhead that’s more luxurious in style, including rain showerheads, being between $150 and $200, it makes sense to leave the installation to the professionals. Installing a new showerhead involves knowing how to use an adjustable wrench and other tools. The amount of work involved makes professional installation a preferable choice.

Oversized Bathtub

Soaking in the bathtub can be the perfect way to unwind after a long day at work or a difficult day with your children. While a standard bathtub can still be nice, an oversized bathtub can be a much more preferable option. If you want the ability to be entirely submerged under the water, you’ll want to opt for a larger tub that gets deep enough.

Something you may not have considered before is the fact that you may run out of warm water with a larger bathtub. In order for your water to be warm enough to fully fill the bathtub, consider getting a larger water heater installed. Your plumber can help direct you towards what size is best and how to make the most your new oversized tub.

Handheld Spray for Shower

Another improvement you can make for your shower is to get a handheld spray attachment installed. What these shower attachments can do is allow you to bathe more thoroughly and even wash your hair better. Handheld sprays can vary quite a bit in how they’re installed, with some being added to your existing showerhead, to others needing more extensive installation work.

Your plumber can help make sure that the spray is installed properly and help ensure that you understand how to adjust the nozzle as needed.

Bidet Toilet Attachment

While most American bathrooms are lacking a bidet, bidets have numerous benefits to consider. From being more environmentally friendly due to a decrease in the need for toilet paper to being more hygienic, you may be curious about having one installed. Allowing your plumber to install the bidet attachment can ensure that the water is hooked up properly and that the heating or cooling for it is done right.

Hiring a plumber to make upgrades in your bathroom is fantastic idea but only if you know what projects you want to be done so that their time is spent wisely. If any of the above features interest you for remodeling your bathroom, contact us at South East Total Service so that we can give you the luxurious bathroom you’ve dreamed of.

The post Dream of Owning a More Luxurious Bathroom? 4 Features to Include While Remodeling appeared first on South East Total Service .

Whether you’ve only recently moved into a newly purchased house or you’ve been living in the same place for a long stretch of time, remodeling your home is likely a great move to increase the property value and make the home feel more personal to you. With how often you’ll be using the bathroom, especially if your home has only a single bathroom, it’s a good idea to look into what you can do to remodel your bathroom with confidence.