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All About Sewer Cleanout

While not a common topic of discussion, sewer cleanouts become an important topic once you start having trouble with your sewer system.

And when your sewer system is buried under the slab and in the yard, the sewer cleanout plays an vital role in diagnosing any problems.
What is a Sewer Cleanout?
Sewer cleanouts are the pipes that give you access to the rest of your home’s sewer system.
Most homes in the Minneapolis area have under slab sewer systems. Each fixture — toilets, faucets, etc. — connects to pipes that feed into a to a branch line buried underground. These branch lines connect to the main sewer line. The main sewer line leads out of your home into the yard, still underground, and connects to the city’s lines.
Sewer cleanout pipes are typically found somewhere outside near the perimeter of the house and are attached to the main sewer line. You will often find the sewer cleanout opening near ground level covered by a sewer cleanout cap.
Types of Sewer Cleanouts
There are two types of sewer cleanouts.
One-way Cleanout
A one-way cleanout allows for access in one direction.
If the curve is toward the yard, we would only be able to send something down the yard line. And vice versa.
Two-way Cleanout
A two-way cleanout provides access in both directions.
With this U-shaped cleanout, we are able to use it to access both the yard and the house lines.
Do All Homes Need a Sewer Cleanout?
Because all of the sewer pipes run under your home’s foundation, you can’t see when there’s a problem. Problems like stoppages, tree roots, leaks, bellying, or breaks go undetected until it reaches a point where you start experiencing things like slow drains, backed up drains, or worse.
This is where sewer cleanouts come into play. We use sewer cleanouts mostly for testing. We send sewer cameras into the cleanout and down through the lines to investigate, and we also insert inflatable test balls to test for leaks. Sometimes we can also use the sewer cleanouts to clear out a blockage using a sewer machine.
And sometimes you don’t even need tools to see there’s something wrong if you see standing water in the cleanout pipes. Since sewer pipes are installed at a slight decline to work with the power of gravity, standing water in your cleanout pipes means there’s a stoppage or belly in the line causing that water to not drain out to the city line.
So yes, all homes need a sewer cleanout.
Do All Homes Have a Sewer Cleanout?
At this point almost all homes have a sewer cleanout. The only houses that don’t are older homes in which a cleanout wasn’t installed originally. But even if you’re in an older home that was built without a sewer cleanout, it’s likely one was needed at some point and was installed.
But if you happen to be in a home without one, the system is probably cast iron. (It’s highly, highly, highly unlikely a PVC house did not have cleanouts installed as part of the system.)
And if this is the case, because we recommend replacing a cast iron system, we don’t recommend installing sewer cleanouts. There’s no reason to put a sewer cleanout on cast iron when you’re gonna replace the whole system, and a cleanout will be installed with the new system.
How to Find My Sewer Cleanout?
A lot of people think they don’t have sewer cleanouts. But as I said, pretty much all homes do these days.
It’s more likely that your sewer cleanout is buried, often in a flower bed area. People cover up the cleanout because they think it’s an eyesore. Then someone comes in and puts in more landscaping, mulch, etc., and covers it up even more. So at one time the cleanout may have originally been barely covered by half an inch of soil but now is covered by up to six inches.
If you’ve searched all along the perimeter of your home and still can’t find the cleanout, we can come out and use special tools to locate it.
Sewer Cleanout Installation Cost
As I said, it’s highly unlikely your home doesn’t already have a sewer cleanout. And if you are one of those rare cases, it’s because your system is cast iron and we don’t recommend installing sewer cleanouts on a system that needs to be replaced.
However, generally speaking, a sewer cleanout installation will run you around $1,000 to $1,500 depending on the company. The cost also depends on what exactly needs to be done to install the cleanout.
Is there concrete to get through? Is the main line really deep? These things and any other number of variables can add up making it more expensive.
Need Help with Your Sewer System?
A properly functioning sewer system is incredibly important for your home and your family. So if you think you have a problem with yours, please reach out to us at Discount Plumbers because we’re happy to help.
If you have any questions about a sewer cleanout, give us a call the professional plumbers at Discount Plumbers in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. We are happy to discuss any issues you’re having, and always keep your specific needs and budget in mind. Plumber near me services for your area. 
Camera Inspection
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Camera Inspection

A sewer camera is a valuable tool to help determine if there’s a problem with your home’s sewer system.

Maybe you noticed a nasty sewer gas odor. Or maybe your water isn’t draining as fast as it use to. Or worse, you’ve got an overflowing toilet.
If you’re like most people, you’ll call a plumber for help. And when that plumber comes to your house, more than likely, he’ll perform a sewer camera inspection.
But it’s important for you, the homeowner, to know what a sewer camera inspection can find and what it can’t. Armed with this information, you will know if the plumbing company you hire to come out and inspect your pipes is ripping you off or not.

What is a Sewer Camera Inspection?

First, let’s cover what a sewer camera inspection is. Typically sewer lines are installed under the foundation of your house. There’s the concrete slab which is about 4 or 5 five inches thick and then about 2 feet or so of dirt above the pipe.
To inspect the pipes and find possible problems, a special sewer video camera head connected to a flexible cable is inserted into the main sewer line cleanout, or in some cases, the vent stack and snaked through the pipes. Then the plumber watches on a monitor at ground level to see what’s going on in your pipes.
Here at Discount Plumbers, we use a sewer camera to help us determine what your problem is. However, unlike our competition, we know there are some problems a camera alone can’t find.

What a Sewer Camera Inspection Can’t Do

Despite what many in the plumbing industry think, there are limitations to what a sewer camera sees inside your sewer lines. But there is one thing a sewer camera absolutely cannot see.
Locate Leaks
A sewer camera alone cannot determine if you have a leak or to locate a leak or leaks in your sewer lines. In fact, this is so important, it bears repeating.
While it’s a useful as a secondary tool in a leak location test, a sewer camera by itself cannot be used to to determine if you have a leak or to find a leak.
4 Reasons Why a Sewer Camera Can’t Locate a Leak
A leak is water escaping the pipe through a hole, break, or crack. Since the camera is inside the pipe, it cannot see the outside of the pipe. Meaning, it can’t see if something is leaking OUT of the pipe. It can only show what is going on INSIDE the pipe.
The plumber is looking at a monitor displaying what the camera “sees.” So the plumber has to interpret, or guess, what he’s seeing. He might think he see something that looks like a hole, break, or crack in the pipe. But keep in mind, this is your sewer system we’re talking about. This is where your waste flushes and runs through. Trust us when we say it does not look good. And all that gunk and waste makes it hard to tell if something is a leak based solely on what can be seen on the monitor.
Sewer pipes are usually one of two types: cast iron or PVC, both thick-walled pipes. So something very possibly might look like a hole or a crack or a break. But because the walls of the pipe are so thick, it’s possible what the plumber is seeing does not go all the way through the pipe so no water is leaking out at all. The result: no leak.
Particularly with cast iron, but this could also be true for PVC, there are years of buildup on the walls of the pipe. Calcium, soap scum, grease, debris… you name it, builds up on the walls of your sewer pipes. So any cracks or holes the plumber sees could very well be in the buildup and not the actual pipe.
We estimate about 95% of plumbing companies are using a camera as their primary tool to locate a leak. They come in, run an inspection with just a sewer camera and then tell you you have a leak.
But keep in mind, what may look like a leak on camera may not actually be a leak. And vice versa.

What a Sewer Camera Inspection Can Do

While a sewer camera cannot find leaks, there are certain situations where the camera alone is effective.
Locate Lines
Sewer cameras have location devices that send out a signal. Using a special signal receiver above ground, our plumbers pinpoint where the camera is underground.
Drainage or Stoppage Issues
We call this your “sewer is not working as it is designed to work.”
Sewer pipes work using the power of gravity. The pipes flow downhill so when something goes into the pipe—waste, debris, water—it flows or drains down through your piping system and ultimately ends up at your city’s waste treatment center or septic tank, depending on your particular situation.
However, if something is causing your system to not work properly, in most cases we can use a sewer camera to determine what is causing it. Often in cases like these we find stoppages, blockages, roots, mud, broken pipe, etc.
PVC or Cast Iron Pipe
We determine what type of system you have by running a sewer camera inside the pipes.
Sewer System Connections
With a sewer camera, we can see fittings, tee’s, and other types of connection. We can also use it at the connections to run water. We’re able to see where the water flows to or from and/or comes from one line to another.
Unnecessary Plumbing Repairs
Depending on your situation, a sewer camera inspection alone may not be adequate in finding potential problems. And it is not at all adequate if it’s leaks they are looking for.
The most important thing to know is if a plumbing company does a leak location test with a camera as the only or primary tool, it’s very possible you’re being told there are leaks when there are none. If that’s the case, you could end up paying for repairs you don’t need.
If you have any questions about sewer inspection, give us a call at Discount Plumbers in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area.
Water Seepage Top Causes
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Water Seepage Top Causes

Fresh Water Plumbing Pipe Leak

Your fresh water system runs on a pressurized system. It pumps clean water from the city/meter into your home. The pipes are always full of water and ready to flow once you turn on the faucet to wash your hands, clean the dishes, and take a bath or shower. It also flushes your toilet and is ready when you start the washing machine to do laundry.
If there is a leak above your home’s concrete slab from your fresh water pipes, you will most certainly have water on a floor or somewhere else. And because there is always water in this pressurized system, the water never stops flowing or dries up. Having a leak in a fresh water pipe is like turning on the faucet and leaving it on.
Now it is possible that the puddle is the result of a fresh water leak under the concrete slab. However, this is rarely the case. It’s far more likely the puddle is a result of a leak above the slab.
With a leak under the slab, the water from the leak would have to build up enough to the point that it needs to find a path out. An under slab leak resulting in a puddle on your floor would mean that the only path out was up. Add to that the water then had to make it through 4 or 5 inches of thick concrete slab.
Again, while it is possible and has happened from time to time, keep in mind water typically flows downhill and not up. So it’s unlikely the only path out is up. Also there would already have to be some some sort of crack running all the way through the slab.
So what you want to look for here is if the puddle is the result of water that is continually flowing. If a particular area is flowing non-stop for a minimum of a few days—and it is not raining outside—it is very likely you have a fresh water leak.
The question then becomes is the leak above or below the concrete slab. For this, you most likely need a professional to come out to determine this.
However—while this isn’t a guaranteed method to determine this on your own—if you turn off the water, and the water stops flowing or dries up, that is another sign that you have a fresh water leak.
And if once you turn the water back on, water floods the floor in less than one minute, that’s a good indicator that the leak is above the slab.
Above Slab Sewer Line Leak

We often get calls from clients asking us to check their under slab sewer system for leaks because they have water on or above the slab.
As mentioned above, a fresh water pipe always has water in it. A sewer line on the other hand does not have water in it unless you are running water somewhere in the house like a faucet, washer, or toilets, etc.
Your sewer pipes work with the power of gravity so that the waste and water flow downhill out of your system to the city line and ultimately to the waste treatment plant.
Because—as mentioned above—water flows downhill and not up, and this piping system is not pressurized or full of water, any water that leaks out of this type of system under a slab in mass quantities ultimately leaks back into the sewer system like a rain water drainage system and flushes out.
The only possible way a sewer leak under the slab can cause water to flood above the slab is if the sewer line not only has a leak, but is also blocked so it can’t flow properly. In this case, every time the system is used, water flows to the stoppage.
And with nowhere to go, it forces its way out of the leak and into the soil. But it won’t be able to leach back into the sewer line because the line’s already full from of the blockage.
Then at some point, although most likely not right away, the water under the slab would build up so much that the area cannot accommodate it anymore. It would then have to find a place to go as more water flows into the system. And that place could be through a crack in the slab.
If this is the case, you will only find water on the slab when you use whatever is leaking. Unlike a fresh water leak where the water keeps pooling and never dries up, an above slab sewer leak won’t be constant and might dry up completely.
However, all that said, it is highly unlikely that a blockage in a sewer line would go undetected long enough for it to cause this kind of situation. So, although it is possible, it is very unlikely that a sewer leak below the slab will cause water to get above the slab.
In most cases, if you have water pooling from an under slab sewer system leak, the water will be very close to a plumbing fixture of some kind, like a sink, shower, toilet, tub, or a washing machine.
If it is close to your washer, it could be that the problem is the appliance itself and not the plumbing. Try pulling the machine out from the wall and remove the drain hose which runs from the washer to the pipe in the wall.
Then pour water in or put in a water hose and run water down the drain to see if water leaks out from anywhere. If it doesn’t, reconnect the washer and run it as normal. And if the leak occurs again, the problem is probably with your washing machine and not plumbing.
If your mysterious water is close to one or more of the other fixtures—and not flowing constantly—try not using one of the fixtures for a few days, and see if by not using it the water dries up. If it does, then the problem is sewer drain related with that fixture.
Just make sure you do this one fixture at a time, or you won’t know which is causing the problem.
Tubs and Showers

A standalone shower made of tile has a vinyl shower pan liner under the tile on the floor and about 12 inches up the wall. This is commonly called a tile shower pan.
It is very common for these shower pans to leak. When this happens, it’s a lot like a sewer leak in that it only leaks when the shower is in use. If your shower pan starts leaking, you’ll find water on the floor on either or all sides of the shower. This also includes other rooms that touch one side or another of the shower.
There is one easy way for you to determine if you have a shower pan leak. First, dry all the tile at and around the drain of the shower very well.
Then get some really good duct tape, and securely tape over the shower drain and the surrounding tiles.
After sealing the drain, turn on the water and fill the shower pan up with water. Just be sure you don’t fill it over the step-in curb level so water doesn’t overflow out of the shower.
Once filled, mark the water level and watch it to see if it will drop. Also look around the shower on all sides while you are waiting. Check for any water on the floor if the water level drops. If you see water dripping on the floor, then you probably have a shower pan leak.
However, make sure water is not leaking out around the duct tape. You want to make sure any drop in water level is from a leak and not the duct tape.
But if you filled the pan up to the highest point possible without it overflowing, and no water gets on the floor anywhere (especially if this is a slab foundation), then you probably don’t have a shower pan leak.
Now let’s talk about cracks in the grout or tile as well as tile issues of any kind. If there are tile issues of any kind, it is possible that when the shower is in use water is seeping into the wall and leaking out of the shower from there. This applies to a tub shower as well.
It is also possible that water won’t be visible on the slab initially when there are tile issues. But as time goes on, you’ll start to notice the water.
For tile issues, including missing caulk in the corners, get a good tile and shower expert out as soon as possible to prevent any water leaking issues and mold and mildew issues.
Another possibility to look out for as it relates to tubs and showers is water spilling or spraying on the floor during use.
This could happen for a number of reasons but is easily checked by two people; with one person in the shower and the other watching outside the shower.
You could also try running the shower positioning the head to spray up against the walls—including the door or curtain. Then stand outside the shower and watch for water.
Also check the other rooms next to the wall you are spraying. You want to make sure the water is not seeping into those rooms through the wall.
Air Conditioning Condensation

If you find puddles any time the air conditioning isn’t in use, this isn’t the cause of your mystery puddle.
When an air conditioner is in use, the A/C unit, via condensation creates water which it has to dispose off. Air conditioning units come with a primary drain pan to collect the water. And there is a drain outlet connected to a drain line where the water runs out of.
Normally the primary drain empties into a sewer system somewhere. This could be a bathtub drain or a washer drain if the unit is in the attic. But if it is in a closet, it usually drains right into the sewer system under the slab at the closet, or it will drain literally through the slab to the outside where the main sewer cleanouts are located.
If the unit is in the attic, there’s usually a secondary drain pan called a backup drain pan. It’s installed under the A/C unit with a drain running outside in case the primary drain line clogs up.
This insures the drain pan won’t overflow and flood your home when in use; although it is possible most air conditioning units in a closet do not have a secondary or backup drain pan.
Often these air conditioning drains get clogged. So if the air conditioning is running, it is creating water via condensation. And the water has to go somewhere which would likely be out of the unit onto the ceiling or floor.
So if you see a mysterious puddle near your A/C unit, it’s most likely a clogged air conditioning drain.
The problem here is knowing the right person to call to fix your air conditioning drain. Some parts of a condensation line can only be cleaned out by an HVAC Tech or A/C repair specialist, while some must be cleaned out out by a plumber.
Generally there are two types of pipes; a ¾ inch drain line and a 2 inch drain line. Most, if not all plumbers, don’t have the tools needed to clean out a ¾ inch drain line. Unless you know for sure the clog is in a 2 inch drain line, call an HVAC tech first.
However, if this happens during the heat of summer and the earliest appointment you can get is a week or two out, you can always try a plumber. It’s possible that plumber can solve the problem sooner. But if you do this, stay on schedule with the air conditioning technician. Don’t cancel until you know that the plumber can rectify the issue completely.
Rain Water

If the puddle or area of water only occurs when it rains, your mystery puddle probably isn’t a plumbing issue.
Here are some of the possible causes and things to look out for in these situations. Water is leaking into your home through the walls, chimney, roof, windows, etc.
Another common issue we see is water coming in through the brick ledge; that is the point where a brick wall and the slab meet. There should be 2 inches of concrete slab showing between where the slab and the bricks meet. The brick ledge should slope slightly away from the house.
First make sure the 2 inches of concrete slab—the brick ledge—is showing. Then see if the brick ledge and the soil around it slopes towards the house or if it is flat. If water pools in these areas when it rains, contact a rain water drainage expert. A rain water expert can evaluate your situation and determine what to do.
Also if the puddle is because of rain, you won’t see water pooling on a regular basis. Also why you should call a rain water drainage expert and not a plumber.
Sprinklers and Irrigation

It is not uncommon for sprinkler heads to spray water right onto the house. Check for this problem by running your sprinkler system and looking at each of the heads. Also check the inside of the house for water while the system is running.
It is possible the water might not be spraying onto the slab or wall at all. Instead it might be pooling in an area and causing water to flow into the house. So look out for pooling spots as well as any sprinkler heads spraying on the house.
Neighbor Leaks

Although this is extremely rare, it is possible. There have been instances where a leak from a neighbor’s house causes mystery water puddles in your home or lawn. This could happen if you live at the bottom of a hill and a house above you has a leak. It’s possible that leak is draining down to your home.
Other things that could cause water to pool around your home are swimming pool leaks or underground springs or creeks. These could cause water to pool around/under a foundation ultimately getting water into a house and onto a slab.
Although these are possibilities, it is highly unlikely to cause any water puddles inside a home.
There certainly are other factors that cause water puddles not listed here. However, anything not in this post is so rare and can only be determined after first eliminating all of the above possibilities.
If you have any questions about water leaks, give us a call the professional plumbers at Discount Plumbers in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area. We are happy to discuss any issues you’re having, and always keep your specific needs and budget in mind.
Water Conservation Tips
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Water Conservation Tips

It should come as no surprise that we feel pretty passionate about water conservation here at Discount Plumbers.

Of course, taking measures to save water saves you money by lowering your water bills. But when you also consider water is a finite resource—meaning we can run out of it—it only makes sense to conserve water in as many ways as we can.
The earth is 70% water. But 97% of that is salt water—undrinkable and mostly unusable. And 2% of the remaining 3% is locked in ice caps and glaciers leaving us with only 1% of water for all our needs: farming, livestock, manufacturing, community, and personal daily consumption.
Fun water fact: The earth has the same amount of water now as it did when it was first formed.
The average American uses up to 100 gallons of water a day. Multiply that by the number of people living in your home and that’s a lot of water.
But don’t worry. We’re not suggesting you stop showering and letting your lawn turn to dust.

Here are 8 simple tips to help you save water.

1.) Check Pipes and Faucets for Leaks
Fixing a leaky faucet is one of the easiest ways to conserve water.
A single drip from a dripping faucet may seem inconsequential. But add those drips up and we are wasting gallons of water and dollars every day.
Check out this drip calculator on the United State Geological Survey site to determine how much water you are losing thanks to a leaky faucet.
And if you have a leak in your fresh water pipes, it’s like leaving the water on all day long making it incredibly important you get those leaks fixed as soon as possible.
If you think you have a fresh water leak, Call us now or fill out our contact form and we can help determine if that’s the case.
2.) Is Your Toilet Running?
If so, you could be wasting thousands of gallons of water a year. A few possible culprits in this situation is the flapper is warped or stuck and won’t close, a bad flush valve, or the chain is too long, too short, or tangled.
3.) Don’t Flush Trash
Ever throw a tissue or some other small bit of trash in the toilet and flushed? Older toilets use up to 7 gallons per flush, and low flow toilets use about 1.6 gallons per flush (GPF).
That’s like using one and a half milk jugs to get rid of one small piece of trash. Throw your trash in the trash instead.
4.) Composting
Instead of running a garbage disposal, look into composting your food waste. Even if you don’t have a backyard, there are small composting bins you can keep on a balcony or patio. There are even countertop composting containers.
5.) Choose the Dishwasher
Dishwashers today are much more efficient than hand washing. It might seem counterintuitive but it’s true.
The average kitchen faucet uses about 2 to 3 gallons of water a minute. So if you leave the water running for 10 minutes to hand wash your dishes, you’ve used about 8 to 10 gallons of water. A dishwasher uses 6 gallons of water per load and Energy-star rated dishwashers use 4 per load.
You’d have to be pretty fast at hand washing to beat that, and that includes the time it takes for your water to heat up.
Of course, we’re talking about a full load and no pre-rinsing which can actually decrease the effectiveness of your dishwasher. If you don’t have enough for a full load, you can always use the rinse and hold cycle. This still uses less water than pre-rinsing or hand washing.
However, if you insist on hand washing, consider filling one side of the sink with hot soapy water and turning off the faucet while you wash the dishes instead of leaving it running.
Bonus tip #1: Use a bucket to collect the cold water that runs while you wait for it to heat up. Then use this to water your plants.
Bonus tip #2: You can do this with shower water, too.
6.) Turn Off Faucet When Brushing Your Teeth
Do you keep the water running when you brush your teeth? With the faucet using 2 to 3 gallons a minute, you’re letting good water (and money) run down the drain if you aren’t turning off the tap when you brush.
Wet your toothbrush and then don’t run the water again until you need it. It might seem strange at first but after some practice, it’ll be second nature.
This is a good practice to build when you wash your hands, too.
7.) Drip Irrigation
We love our lawns. But keeping the grass green and the flowers blooming costs a lot of water. Some estimates claim automatic water sprinklers waste 40% to 50% of the water used.
A water-saving alternative to a sprinkler system is drip irrigation, the delivery of slow-moving water from drip lines/pipes directly in the soil. You don’t lose water to overflow runoff or evaporation with this method.
8.) Turn Off the Hose
Don’t use a water hose to clean off driveways and sidewalks. Use a broom or a leaf blower instead.
And if you wash your car in the driveway, turn off the hose when you’re not using it. Fill a bucket with soap and water, wet your car quickly, and then leave the hose off until it’s time to rinse.
Why Water Conservation Matters
With safe, clean water at our fingertips, it might not seem like we need to worry about saving water.
But with a fast-growing population and no change in water consumption rates, it is important to take steps to conserve water now before it’s too late—especially when you consider we can’t live without it.
If you have any questions about water conservation, give us a call. Our professional plumbers at Discount Plumbers are happy to discuss any issues you’re having, and always keep your specific needs and budget in mind.
We are located in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area and service all surrounding metro areas as well.  
water conservation tips