How to Avoid Clogged Drains in Your Home

Clogged drains are one of the most common reasons that plumbers are called. Fortunately, you can prevent most clogs simply by paying a little attention to what you put down your drain. Read on to learn how to cut down on the number of emergency plumbing calls you have to make for drain clogs.

Take Care with Food Waste
Food is the culprit behind many clogged drains. When you’re rinsing dishes, don’t let food scraps fall into the sink. Scrape your food waste into the trashcan before rinsing. If you have a garbage disposal, you should still use your trash for large pieces of food, rice, pasta, bones, and coffee grounds, which will all clog the disposal. Place a mesh screen over your drain to catch any scraps you missed and rinse it out right away. Never put grease down your drain—it will solidify and cause clogs. Instead, put it in a plastic container to throw away.

Keep Shower and Sinks Clear
If you have a clog in a bathroom drain, then chances are that hair is to blame. Use a mesh screen on your shower drain to catch hair and clean it out regularly. If you dry your hair or brush your hair while standing over your sink, make sure to remove hair from the drain afterwards. If you don’t have a screen and see hair in the drain, pull out as much as you can and call your plumber.

Flush Wisely
Don’t use your toilet to dispose of anything other than toilet paper and sewage. Anything else you flush could clog the pipes. In addition to clogs, flushing inappropriate things can lead to toilet overflows.
If your drain is clogged, don’t use chemical clearing products, which damage pipes and won’t resolve the whole clog. Instead, call Beacon Plumbing, Heating, & Mechanical today. We offer commercial and residential plumbing services, as well as heating and furnace repair. You can learn about all of our services by calling (206) 452-4363.

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When Is Trenchless Sewer Repair the Best Option?

As a homeowner, one of the most stress-inducing scenarios that you can run into is a busted sewer line. From out-of-control tree roots to drastic temperature changes, there are a number of situations that can cause your sewer pipes to crack and require immediate attention from emergency plumbing professionals. Here is a look at one method for repair—trenchless sewer replacement—and the conditions under which it is the best option:

Water is Not Pooling near the Bottom of the Line
One scenario that makes it far more difficult for your sewer line repair team to use trenchless technology is pooling near the very bottom of the pipes. More often than not, experienced professionals can remove soil, debris, and water that are lingering in the pipes. However, in the case that this matter cannot be removed, it will be difficult for the sewer line repair process to work properly and pass inspection.

Utility Lines Do Not Pass Closely to the Pipes
Trenchless technology works best when there are no utility lines near the sewer pipes. As the pipe is lined with a new, more formidable material, it shifts around in the space, and therefore could burst any gas or water lines that sit close by. If your plumbers do not detect utility lines nearby, then trenchless can be a promising solution to your burst pipe.

Your Contractor is Experienced in the Technique
When it comes to performing trenchless sewer repair, experience is of the utmost importance. Although this technology is one of the most effective methods around for repairing a cracked sewer line, it can be destructive if performed incorrectly. Before choosing an emergency plumbing company, ask for a list of their references, as well as a rundown of their professional history.

If your home is in need of immediate sewer repair, then be sure to contact Beacon Plumbing, Heating, & Mechanical at any time, day or night. We can assess your particular situation and discuss the best method for repairing the line. Call us at (206) 452-4363 to learn more about our plumbing services.

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Understanding the Difference between a Clogged Drain and a Clogged Sewer Line

Your home's plumbing system is an intricate system of pipes, drains, sewers, and appliances that work in harmony to provide you with the water you need to perform everyday tasks. When one of those components becomes blocked, cracked, or clogged, it can be difficult to diagnose and treat without the help of an emergency plumbing professional. Here is a look at the difference between two residential plumbing problems, a clogged drain and a clogged sewer line:

A Clog in a Sink, Shower, or Toilet Drain
The symptoms of a clogged drain within an appliance such as a toilet or sink typically consist of pooling water, an unpleasant odor, and a buildup of matter somewhere in the pipe. The clog itself is typically located in one specific drain, which means that it won't affect other pipes or appliances in the home. There are a variety of different ways that you can treat a minor clog using a plunger, an auger, or by pouring a combination of water, baking soda, and vinegar down the drain. If the clog simply won't budge, then leave it to a professional emergency plumbing team to fix.

A Clog in the Home's Main Sewer Line
Unlike a clogged drain, a clogged sewer line will cause disruption to the entire home since the problem originates farther down in the supply line. If you begin to experience low water flow in various kitchen and bathroom appliances or notice bubbling or backup in your bathtub, then call a sewer line repair company immediately, as you are almost certainly dealing with a sewer clog. Your plumber will look for the cause of the clog, such as a busted sewer line, or a buildup of non-flushable materials, such as feminine hygiene products.

No matter what type of clog you're experiencing, the professionals here at Beacon Plumbing, Heating, and Mechanical can help you eliminate it for good. We employ a variety of techniques such as high pressure jetting, derooting, and trenchless sewer repair to restore clogged or damaged drains and sewer lines. To schedule our services in your residential or commercial property, call (206) 452-4363.

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Important Information to Know About Your Septic System

If you have recently moved into a home with a septic system, it’s important to familiarize yourself with how it functions. To avoid frequent visits by your local emergency plumbing professional, you can use several routine practices and techniques to keep the system working efficiently. Take a look at this important information to learn more about your septic system:

How the System Functions

As soon as you flush your toilet, the wastewater leaves your home through pipes into the septic tank. Once inside the tank, the waste is separated into two groups of solids: lighter matter will float to the top of the tank and heavier solids sink downwards. Microorganisms begin breaking down the solids, while leftover water works its way towards the drain field to be filtrated.

The Role of Bacteria

Before the leftover water, known as “effluent”, can make its way to the drain field, harmful pathogens and potentially dangerous viruses are removed so that it won’t damage the surrounding soil and groundwater supply. This process is aided by anaerobic bacteria, which slow down the flow of the effluent and filter non-compostable material into a soil absorption system.

The Impact of Household Products

In order to maintain a balance of healthy bacteria in your septic system, it’s crucial that you refrain from using antibacterial soaps in kitchens and bathrooms. It’s also important to avoid flushing medications or items like feminine hygiene products down your toilet to prevent build-up and contamination. When rinsing pots and pans after a meal, don’t rinse oils or fat down the drain.
Understanding your home’s hard working septic system and treating it right will guarantee that it lasts for years to come. Here at Beacon Plumbing, Heating, and Mechanical, we’ve been Seattle’s most trusted name in septic care since 1999. Call us today at (206) 452-4363 to learn how we can help you maintain your system.


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How to Locate and Shut Off Toilet Water Supply

You can minimize water damage by stopping an overflowing toilet. Most new toilets are equipped with a local shut off valve—this switch allows you to stop water from reaching your toilet in seconds. Use this About.com home improvement video to locate the shut-off valve on your own toilet.





The shut-off valve is typically located below or beside the toilet tank. The valve should be connected to the main water line leading to and from your toilet. Turn the valve clockwise to shut off water and counterclockwise to restart the flow of water after plumbing repairs are complete.

Shut off the water immediately if your home sprouts a leak or backup. Then, get in touch with Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical for 24-hour emergency plumbing service. We can be reached by phone at (206) 452-4363 or through our website.


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Common Reasons You May Require a Sewer Line Video Inspection

Sewer line video cameras are used by plumbers to take up-close footage of your plumbing problems. In fact, many sewer line problems are impossible to find without a video inspection. The following clogs are just a few of the reasons that your home could need a sewer line inspection.

• Root Intrusion: Strong tree roots can penetrate and clog underground sewer lines. Unfortunately, these intrusions often take place several yards away from your home. A sewer line video inspection is absolutely necessary to pinpoint the exact location of the clog. Plumbers can then use this data to access the clogged pipe, remove the roots, and recommend preventative tips.

• Metal Blockage: Your home’s hard water may lead to a serious sewer line clog. Metal salts trapped in hard water can solidify when exposed to the metals in your sewer pipe. Eventually this solid build-up can cause a serious clog. Schedule a sewer line video inspection if your home plumbing uses hard water—early checks will help you spot and solve hard water buildup before a clog occurs.

• Homeowner Debris: Almost any item other than toilet paper can become a clog risk once flushed down the drain. You should have your drains inspected with a video line if your family has a history of flushing man-made items down the toilet. Children, for example, commonly flush large plastic objects like toys or blocks. Use early and routine inspection will to avoid larger costs down the road.

• Deep Leaks: Old plumbing is bound to break down and cause deep leaks underground. Sadly, these leaks are hard to spot until your home is impacted by flooding or a surging water bill. Schedule regular video line inspections at your home to catch pipe wear before advanced foundation damage occurs.

Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical can provide emergency plumbing and sewer line video services for your Seattle home. Call us at (206) 452-4363 to learn more about our plumbing business or to schedule an inspection.

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