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Clogged drains and pipes are frustrating, but all too common problems. Whether it’s grease and food debris stopping up your kitchen sink, or hair backing up your bathtub, no one likes a clogged drain. In addition to the aforementioned food, grease, and hair, there are a few other causes for clogged pipes as well. For example: in rare cases, mineral buildup can be an issue that stops your pipes from draining. This can especially happen in galvanized iron pipes, because of the rough texture that makes it easier for minerals to cling to. Another reason for clogged pipes may be the ever invasive tree root. The nutrient-rich wastewater in your pipes, makes them especially prone to tree root infiltration. The roots will feed on water, and once they penetrate the pipe will keep growing until they have cut off drainage entirely. Offset, sagging, or dilapidated pipes can also catch debris, and buildup that will eventually keep your pipes from draining properly.

Below are some detailed methods of dealing with clogs and stoppages.

When a drain gets clogged, there are a few knee-jerk reactions you may immediately jump to. Firstly, you might think to use a plunger. Using a plunger might work in some situations, but it can also push the clog further down into the pipe making for an even bigger, harder to reach problem in the future. You may also think to use a store bought chemically based drain cleaner. This is highly advised against because of both the potential negative environmental impacts, and the effect it can have on your pipes. These cleaners can actually contribute to the corrosion of pipes causing more issues further down the line.

A kinetic water ram (also known as an air cannon) is an option for tough or stubborn clogs. Kinetic water rams use compressed air to power through clogs at a rough 4,700 feet per second and with up to 160 lbs of pressure. In most cases, this is enough to completely and instantly break up any blockage your pipes might be experiencing at a single fixture. Although it may seem like instinct to use as much pressure as possible, this is not always the best course of action. Pushing too much pressure into old or weak pipes may cause fittings and fixtures to come undone or break. While most single point blockages can be cleared with only 20 to 40 lbs of pressure, for harder to clear stoppages, you may need to look into other options.

If the above options don’t work, and depending on the size and severity of the problem, it might be time to bring in an auger (more commonly known as a snake). A plumber’s snake works the opposite way that a plunger does. Rather than dislodging the blockage with negative pressure it is actually pushed into the blockage, allowing it to work further into where the obstruction is

taking place. The snake is then used to push the clog out of the drain pipe, leaving a clear path for water to drain. Some snakes also have a drill attachment, which help it to be forced further down into the clog, and therefore make it easier to clear.

For blockages in the main sewer line, which are usually more than 30 feet away from the localized blockage in the house, a mainline cable machine is needed. These can be rented from your local big box, hardware store, but it is recommended that you hire a professional due to the extreme force, and skill required to operate such a piece of equipment.

Another option for tougher harder to reach clogs is a hydro jetter. A hydro jetter is a pump and hose system that uses high-vpowered water jets to clear residential and commercial drain pipes. Most high-pressure water jetters will operate with up to 4,000 PSI of pressure, and will push about 2-25 gallons of water per minute through any given pipe. Harts Services has 3 different-sized hydro jetters we use depending on the scope of the blockage ranging from 5.5 GPM/3000 psi to 18gpm/4000psi. The smaller jetter is used for pipes that are about 1 ½ to 2 inches in diameter, while the larger jetters works best for pipes between 4 and 6 inches.

NEED DRAIN CLEARING IN TACOMA? DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP!

No matter what kind of clog you’re dealing with, if you are thinking of using anything beyond a common residential plunger, it is always advised that you bring in a professional. Any and all of the tools mentioned above, when in untrained hands could lead to further damages or personal injury. Here at Harts Services we pride ourselves in having the know how, and tenacity to make sure your pipe problems get fixed right away. Please do not hesitate to call our office for a free quote on any and all of your Tacoma drain cleaning needs.

How Drain Clogs Happen and How They're Fixed

Buying a new home can be an altogether exciting, and nerve racking experience. Of course, one of the most important steps to make sure that everything inside the home is in good working condition. While this seems like common sense, most of the time, people are quick to forget about what’s going on underneath the house which is just as important. Getting your potential home’s sewer and water pipelines inspected could possibly save you a very expensive issue later down the line.

Due to Tacoma’s historic nature, a lot of the old original sewer lines still run through the city. Unless the line has been replaced, you will most likely be dealing with either cement, clay tile, or orange burg pipe. All of these materials were not meant to last more than a few decades. This is why if the side sewer from the house you are considering is 25 years or older, or does not have PVC running to the city main, it’s a good idea to get a camera scope, because it probably needs to be replaced. A simple camera scope of your sewer line will allow you to see any existing, or potential problems.

In the city of Tacoma, property owners are completely responsible for the care and maintenance of their own side sewers. This is all the more reason to be aware of what’s going on underground before purchasing a new home or property. Buildings that were constructed prior to 1980, tend to have pipes that are made of clay, or other materials that do not last, which makes them subject to deteriorating, crumbling, cracking, or root intrusions. This can lead to blockages, which can in turn lead to back-ups in your sinks, toilets, or pretty much any other system that relies on water drainage. Another problem can be rain or groundwater seeping into your sewer. This can cause overflowing of sewage into city streets or homes.

There are a few steps you can take to prevent future hassles before buying your new home. Ask the previous owner if they have ever had any problems with overflows, slow draining or leakages. This should give you a pretty decent idea of the recent history of the system. If they don’t know, Tacoma keeps permit record for some, but not all properties within the city. You can research these records by visiting this site, and clicking permit/ site history or calling.

Environmental Services at (253) 591-5588. Of course, the best thing you could do is to get one of our technicians out there for a camera inspection. This way, you will be able to see any sum pumps, drains, or other sources that may be allowing extra water into your sewer system. To schedule a side sewer inspection, contact our office at (253) 331-1206.

Before You Buy a Home in Tacoma

One of the hardest parts of getting sewer repair work done is the hit you take to your wallet. Plumbing services can be costly, and depending on the amount of work you need done they can seriously set you back. Luckily, the city of Tacoma has a financial-aid program in place that may be able to help you cut down some of those unsightly numbers, and keep your cash safe and sound in your pocket. The Tacoma Sewer Conservation Loan Program is available for both residential, and commercial repair work.

The residential sewer loan conservation program is unique in the way that it will cover up to 90 percent of side sewer repair or replacement costs. With a featured interest rate of two percent below the prime on loans between 1,000 to 10,000 dollars (with a minimum of four percent) this loan is secured through an interest on the property where the project is taking place.

For commercial jobs, such as installing equipment to prevent pollutants from entering your sewer, there is a system in place to offer low-interest loans for up to 90 percent of the estimated cost. This loan will cover almost all commercial equipment needed to prevent said pollutants at an interest rate of two percent below the prime for jobs between 10,000 to 100,000 dollars (also with a minimum of four percent).

To qualify for residential loans, your home must be located within the city of Tacoma, and served by Tacoma Waste Water Management. If you are not sure if you meet this criterion, you should be able to find out by looking at one of your utility bills. In addition to the former, you must also have good credit with Tacoma Public Utilities, or provide a recent good credit report.

This loan program is not designed for new construction or replacement projects, but for pre-existing structures and must be applied for before the replace mentor repair of the sewer is completed. The money from your loan will not be paid out until the completion of the project has been verified by the City of Tacoma’s Environmental Services department.

Just like the residential loan program, to be eligible for commercial loans your business must be located within city limits, and served by Tacoma Waste Water Management. The program only applies to existing commercial structures, and must be applied for, before the project is completed. Your business must also have good credit.

To begin the application process you must first determine the full cost of your project, and the loan amount. To do this, you must show that you have received several quotes before being considered. You can then download the application packet located here for residential loans, and here for commercial loans. After completion of the packet, you must send it to the proper address for your loan. Addresses for both residential, and commercial loans, in addition to more information can be found here. If you would like more information, or have questions about the Tacoma Residential Sewer

Loan Conservation Program contact Cathy Morton with Planning and Land Services at 253-591-5763.

If you are interested in an estimate for repairs on your sewer in Tacoma, or would like to discuss your situation with a sewer specialist, please call us at (253) 331-1206.

Sewer Conservation Loan Program

WHAT THEY ARE, HOW THEY WORK, AND WHY YOU NEED THEM IN YOUR LIFE

With all the advances in plumbing technology today, there is perhaps none more important than video inspection technology. Video pipe inspections allow for more regular maintenance inspections, helping you to find leaks, clogs, broken pipes, loose connections, tree root infiltration as well as other problems that might have otherwise required complete excavation of a pipe or drain system. This is accomplished through the use of a small mobile camera called a Rigid See-Snake.

The Rigid See-Snake is an extremely durable reel and camera system that allows you to pinpoint problems underground. It has a flexible camera head, as well as a fiberglass-reinforced pushrod which allows it to execute multiple 90-degree angles and travel up to 325 feet. It’s friction reducing design allows for maximum push with minimal effort. The camera head is also equipped with self-leveling technology, which keeps the image upright as it navigates through turns and fittings. As the snake is pushed down into the pipe, It delivers a clear, sharp image to a Gvision monitor.

Gvision is a high-quality lightweight way to monitor what is happening in your pipes. When coupled with the See-Snake it is a surefire way to catch any obstructed or damaged areas that may exist underground. The monitor is mounted easily onto the camera reel, and can record directly to a thumb drive, hard drive, iPhone, or iPad for later viewing. In addition, an LCD screen and internal battery allow for up to four hours of full-color video inspection time that can be seen even in direct sunlight. Once an internal problem is spotted on the screen, the trouble area is found using a Rigid Locator.

The Rigid Locator is (just as it sounds) a fast easy way to locate exactly where your See-Snake has spotted an affected, or compromised area. This piece of equipment is extremely helpful, as it is able to guide you down the snake line as well as measure the depth of the camera head. When used along with the See-Snake, and Gvision monitor it allows for a quick and accurate diagnosis of pipes with no need to excavate the entire line.

The importance of regularly scheduled camera inspections cannot be emphasized enough. They are an extremely crucial part of sewer repair and maintenance. Due to the underground nature of sewer systems and pipes, it is easy to slip into an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality when it comes to check-ups and upkeep. This can be detrimental to the quality and general integrity of your pipes. There are three specific times when it is most important to schedule an inspection: when you notice a problem and want to diagnose it accurately, before you purchase a home, and lastly if it has been more than a couple of years since your last inspection and your home is more than 30 years old. The benefits of a regularly scheduled inspection are vast, ranging from the prevention of back ups and blockages to the removal of dirt, tree roots, sand, and grit. Most importantly, regularly scheduled inspections can help determine the overall quality of your sewer so you can identify and prevent potential issues before they become real issues.

For more information on camera inspections and pipe maintenance, feel free to contact our office at your convenience.

Sewer Inspections

Anything you need to keep water flowing through your home or business facility, our plumbing company can handle it! Why do any of the dirty work yourself when there are skilled, experienced sewer pipe experts right in your backyard? Our company provides sewer pipe repair, maintenance, and installation, as well as 

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Customer service and answered the phone was pleasant and helpful. Person who came on site to discuss the work was thorough, gave great advice, and made suggestions for future planning.

Hart's Services got here about 3 hours after calling them. Very courteous and helpful with going over my options for all of my plumbing needs. They are getting our emergency repair work completed for a reasonable rate.

Very friendly, very knowledgeable. Made replacing my whole sewer line as painless as possible.

Quality Plumbing Services in the Tacoma Area

At Harts Services, our #1 priority is your utmost satisfaction. We won’t just show up at your location and provide easy fixes that will eventually come undone, causing you more aggravation and costing you more money. Our plumbers provide lasting results at affordable prices, holding themselves to the highest standard for excellence in every job they undertake. We also offer peace of mind inspections, maintenance plans, and customer education to ensure complete peace of mind today and in the future.

When Others Say They Can't, We Say We Can!

Harts has amazing customer service and responded promptly to our plumbing emergency! Chris has been to our home in the past and is very knowledgeable and professional. Harts is a great local company to work with.

I was so happy to finally get my faucets outside my house fixed. Anytime I turned them on they dripped, dripped, dripped. Now I have frost free hose bibs and no drips! Thanks Harts!

Harts Services is a very professional company. We called because our sewer was backing up into our home and they had someone at our house within the hour.

Fast service, excellent follow-up, and Tim who performed the service was excellent and easy to work with. Will definitely use again if needed.

Thank you Chris McAlister from Harts Services. The service was professional, quick but thorough. Thank you

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