Emergency Preparedness

This AWWA Resource Community is intended to keep the water industry in the know about tools, issues and developments...learn more

Understanding Sewer Backup in Your Home

Sewer backup into your home can be frustrating, expensive, and downright disgusting. Understanding the problem and knowing what to do if you experience sewer backup may help ease your irritation.

Signs of a Problem

If you’ve got a sewage block, it is likely that more than one plumbing fixture in your house will not be working properly. If toilets stop flushing correctly, tubs or showers won’t drain, or if your tub or shower fills with water when you flush your toilet, a clog is your likely culprit.

Possible Causes

There can be a multitude of causes for sewer backup in your home. Storms or flooding can cause sewers to become overloaded, thus pushing sewage back up into homes. Tree or plant roots can make their way into or around pipes and invade or crush them. Flushing napkins, diapers, or anything other than regular toilet paper can cause clogs as well since those items don’t break down like toilet tissue.

Find Help

Many homeowners reach for harsh chemicals to pour down the drain, thinking those may dissolve the clog. But toughcompounds can make the problem worse over time by possibly damaging pipes, and can even result in a costly repair if there is a bigger issue that goes unsolved.  A professional plumbing company can be the best course of action when you need help understanding what is going on with your pipes. Trained professionals know what to look for, and they typically can help you choose the best course of action to solve your problem.

To learn more about sewer line repair in Escondido please visit this website.

Expand Water Supply Through Wastewater Purification System

The California drought has left many questioning what they can do to help improve the situation for the future. In San Diego...learn more

Top Warning Signs You Have A Drainage Problem

Drainage issues can spell big trouble for homeowners. Keeping an eye on any possible drainage problems can help keep your home in tip-top shape.

Drainage problems can creep up on you and wreak havoc on your home if left untreated. By being aware of the warning signs, you can make sure to help keep your house in premier shape and possibly avoid costly repairs from water damage caused by poor drainage.

Starting at the bottom of your home, if you spot cracks in your foundation, try to keep an eye on them and see if they get any larger or wider. It is usually normal for a foundation to have a few small cracks, but if you notice fissures starting to increase in size and width, you've likely got a drainage issue you'll need to solve.

Water stains, whether on the walls or floor of your basement, usually indicate there is a problem. When water evaporates off of outer foundation walls, it can leave a crusty white line from mineral deposits. You may need to simply clean out your gutters and make sure that your downspouts aren't pouring rainwater right next to your foundation. But if pieces of the wall are flaking off in big sheets, water may have seeped into the stonework. This could be a sign of a serious drainage issue that can be a threat to the solidity of your home's foundation. Water stains on the floor of the basement can mean that water is somehow getting in and evaporating in your home, either from cracks in the foundation, the joint of the basement floor and wall, or through window wells.

Working up to the top floor of your house, check for mildew in the attic. That might seem like the last place to look if you're concerned about a drainage issue, but moisture from inside the house or your crawl space can work its way up and create mildew in your attic. Left untreated, this mildew can ruin roof sheathing and shingles.

Looking outside your home, if there are puddles on your lawn or soil all over sidewalks and driveways after a storm, it could be a sign of a drainage problem. Persistent puddles on your lawn that don't evaporate within a few hours can ruin plants, cause root rot, and contribute to an unpleasant, soggy yard. This standing water can alsoruin foundations and create mildew. Dirt that is washed out of your garden beds after a rainstorm may mean that the water is flowing in the wrong direction, taking your soil and plants with it. You may need to evaluate the slope of your lawn or work on building better garden beds to contain your soil and plants.

To find drain cleaning help in San Marcos, please visit this website.

Conserve Water

Conserving water doesn't have to mean a barren landscape. Beautify your little slice of the earth with a water-smart landscape. Choosing a WaterSense-labeled irrigation system keeps your yard lush and green without wasting precious water resources.....click here

Essential Tips for Keeping Bathroom Drains Clear and Flowing

When it comes to your bathroom, one of the most important things to keep in good condition is the sink. You use the bathroom sink daily to wash your hands and brush your teeth, so the sink's drains need to be in perfect condition. You can ensure these drains stay clear and flowing by taking these steps.

Sometimes the best and the easiest way to keep your bathroom drains clear and flowing is to simply monitor what goes down the drains. If you can, try to avoid getting hair in the drain. Hair tends to clump up quickly, and it can be hard to break up over time. You should also avoid putting tissue paper and toilet paper down the drain.

If you notice that your drains have become clogged, it's important to take care of this issue as quickly as possible. Otherwise, the clog may only get worse as time goes on. You can alleviate clogs in your sink with ease when you use ordinary table salt. Pour a couple of spoonfuls of salt down the drain, followed by some vinegar. These things combined create a solution that breaks down whatever is clogging your sink's drains. You might also want to pour hot water down the drain, as this speeds up the unclogging process.

Using a wire hanger can also help you alleviate clogs in your bathroom's drains. First, unravel a wire hanger until it's completely straight. Then, put a soft rag on one of the ends. This step is important because it protects the inside of your drains from getting scratched and damaged. Slide this part of the hanger down into your sink's drain. Keep moving it down until you feel some resistance. Push and twist the hanger at the same time. This helps break up the clog in your drain, whether it's hair or toilet paper. You may need to push and pull the hanger a few times, as well as pour hot water down the drain, to effectively remove whatever is clogging the sink.

The sink's drains in your bathroom are important to maintain, because if they get clocked, you won't be able to brush your teeth or wash your hands. Water could even overflow and get onto your floors. You can avoid these problems by taking the steps above. They are not difficult to do, and they can save you a lot of stress and time in terms of sink repairs.

For more on drain cleaning in Escondido, click here.

Automatic Water Monitoring and Shutoff System

System 3.5 automatic water monitoring and shutoff system is designed for indoor, outdoor and below-grade installations.........click here