What You Should Know About Drainage Pipe Repair in Ottawa

Every household needs access to fresh, clean water. Not only for consumption purposes but to take care of hygiene and other cleaning duties too. All that wastewater has to go somewhere so that you are safe from infections and diseases. You might wonder how exactly your drainage system operates and how many there are installed on your property, but it’s also important to know the signs that other fixtures will send when you need Ottawa drainage pipe repair services.

Since there are many requirements for treating your household pipes well, it’s important to understand why everything must be done and what the potential consequences could be if certain maintenance requirements aren’t met. Ottawa drainage pipe repair needs are very common in the city, but there are plenty of preventative measures that you can take to avoid them.

It might not be easy to detect early signs of drainage backups and other problems until they begin to disrupt your daily life. This is where your Ottawa plumber comes in with advanced plumbing tools and expertise. You can put your trust in your local experts at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Ottawa, who are courteous and licensed, bringing many years of experience in drainage pipe repairs. Ottawa, ON homeowners, can rest assured knowing that we will help recover their plumbing system so that everyone is safe and comfortable in their homes.

What Are Drainage Pipes?

You might also refer to them as drain lines and sewer lines; they’re the pipes that are responsible for removing waste from your home or business. Every home also has an underground sewer lateral to which your household drain lines connect. It directs your waste out of your home to the city’s main sewer line in the street.

Sewer Line

Your private sewer line—also known as the main line or main drain—connects to the municipal sewer in Ottawa and is therefore seen as your home's most essential drainage pipe. It is four to six inches in diameter and connects all your plumbing fixtures, such as your toilet, sinks, and bathtub, via designated drain pipes. Main lines are typically located outside your home, underground. The easiest way for a professional plumber to access it is via the cleanout (or sewer trap), which you will find either in your basement, garage, or crawl space. If you're trying to find your cleanout, keep an eye out for a capped pipe in those areas.

Ottawa drainage pipe repair services often involve a damaged sewer main. Homeowners can avoid major plumbing problems that affect their main—like a sewer backup—by making sure they keep up with maintenance and schedule routine inspections. When you look at your monthly sewer bill, it’s worth keeping track of your consumption rates for sanitary sewer water and stormwater treatment. If they seem to be rising for no reason, your plumber may be able to help you implement a plan to lower these costs.

Household Drain Lines

When you flush the toilet, wash your hands, or start your dishwasher, you want everything to be clean and sanitary. To ensure that it is, you need reliable drainage pipes. There are many types of drainage lines that can be found in your home, which means there are many possible lines that may need Ottawa drainage pipe repairs. Common household drain lines include:

Toilet, Sink, Shower, and Tub Drains

Many Ottawa drainage pipe repair services involve toilet backups, which often involve main line issues, too, as your toilet connects directly to your main line where wastewater goes straight down the lateral. The same applies to your bathroom, kitchen sinks, shower, and bathtub drain. Your Trusted Ottawa plumber will use their professional plumbing inspection camera to identify whether the root problem is clogged drains or sewer line damage and offer repair options according to their diagnosis.

Dishwasher and Washing Machine Drain Hoses

Even your essential appliances could be in need of Ottawa drainage pipe repairs! In fact, many household appliances require periodic maintenance that includes cleaning out filters and checking hoses for clogs. If you have a busy routine, it may not be until these appliances show error messages that you are reminded of neglected maintenance duties.

Most washing machines are equipped with pre-attached drain hoses, which you must securely hook to a standpipe's lip while relying on an air gap to stop water from being siphoned out of the machine. The standpipe is vertical with an open end so you can insert the washing machine drain. There should also be a p-trap closer to floor level to protect your home from sewer gasses.

P-Traps

Ever wondered what those curved, P-shaped pipes under your sink or behind your toilet do? P-traps are an essential part of your overall waste line system. Their primary purpose is to control sewer gas smells and other unpleasant odors by retaining or trapping water at the bottom of the curve. That small amount of water keeps you safe and spares your nose from bad smells. If that sink is rarely used, your p-trap may dry out and require a few drops of water to stay functional. Even your shower and bathtub have p-traps!

Septic Tanks

If you have opted for a septic tank, you are in charge of your own water and wastewater management. A septic tank stores wastewater that has been removed from your home, and instead of being transferred to a public sewer system, it’s released to a designated drain field (or leach field) on your property. Managing a septic tank requires a high level of responsibility and commitment, as you are responsible for not affecting surrounding areas or neighbors with your wastewater. As long as your septic tank is properly maintained and regularly serviced, it is an effective alternative to public sewer systems and could save you money in the long run, despite the high upfront costs. There may be very few septic tanks around the city, but they are more common in outer suburbs and outlying areas.

There are many problems that can affect septic tanks, and you will need effective Ottawa drainage pipe repairs in the event of something like tree root intrusion or leach field failure. Your septic tank should also have an inspection pipe (or two) with the same function as a standard cleanout.

Signs You Need Drainage Pipe Repair

Warning signs of plumbing issues can be very daunting for Ottawa homeowners, especially if you're worried about possible contamination or costly repairs because you haven't been keeping up with routine maintenance. We don't blame you. It's easy to take your plumbing system for granted when everything is operating just fine, and you're paying attention to what you flush down the toilet or wash down your sink. Unfortunately, there are many issues that can force the need for Ottawa drainage pipe repairs, even when things appear to be working properly.

Homeowners rely on warning signs that they can see, hear or smell, whereas identifying the cause of damage, like burst pipes or a collapse, requires a professional plumber's diagnosis. It's important to keep watch for any possible warning signs or any changes in the way your drains work because undetected damage could compromise your safety and your home's structural health if it's not addressed.

Clogged Drains

Every property owner will experience clogged drains in one form or the other. They are certainly a nuisance, especially if they keep coming back despite snaking and cleaning with white vinegar and baking soda. If you have fallen victim to a stubborn clog, you likely have a more serious problem with your plumbing. Your local plumber will help you diagnose the underlying issue fast and recommend repair options and preventative solutions that will eliminate any recurring plumbing issues.

We do not recommend using your plunger or auger excessively because you could potentially damage your drains with too much pressure. Incorrect usage of cabling devices could damage the interior walls too. Besides, they can only go so deep to dislodge blockages, and your problem may be deeper down the line. Professional Ottawa drainage pipe repair often includes an inspection and thorough drain cleaning for effective damage prevention and thorough, long-lasting results.

Frequent clogs often occur in kitchens where appliances are connected to drain lines, such as your dishwasher, washing machine, and garburator. This puts a lot of strain on your kitchen drains, forcing them to work hard to adequately dispose of all the wastewater. You might also want to periodically check your p-trap to ensure it's not clogged. Kitchen sinks undergo a high amount of stress and may require Ottawa drainage pipe repair later down the road unless you keep up with routine cleaning to help keep your kitchen's plumbing in good working condition. You can reduce your own need for drain cleaning and repair by ensuring you don't flush harmful materials down the drain.

Leaking Sewer Cleanout

A leaking cleanout indicates that you have a sewer backup. If you have noticed problems with your plumbing fixtures like backups or slow draining, a leaking cleanout is the ultimate confirmation that you need an expert plumber to diagnose what caused the backup before determining your options for Ottawa drainage pipe repair. Backups are common issues that call for sewer repairs. It’s crucial that you call for emergency plumbing service to prevent this issue from spiraling out of control. The intensity of the pressure could lead to a burst and a collapse.

Frozen Pipes

Do you have unheated or partially heated areas in your home where your plumbing is still susceptible to freezing? Drain pipes can freeze without you realizing it—until you have a broken pipe. Whether you need minor pipe repairs or pipe replacement services, you'll need an appointment for Ottawa drainage pipe repair if your lines have been damaged as a result of being frozen.

Corrosion

Galvanized steel and cast iron pipes are commonly found in older homes, and they're often found with rust. During installation, they were considered durable and effective. However, they do not last forever. Eventually, those lines rust enough that they develop leaks. Without regular maintenance and repairs, they will deteriorate even faster, leading to clogs, decreased water pressure, and even more serious plumbing leaks.

Methods of Repairing Drainage Pipes

For some types of pipe repair, all that needs to be done is a simple replacement for the damaged section. However, if the damage is extensive or if your main lines are affected, you may need more extensive repairs. In addition to the traditional method of completing Ottawa drainage pipe repairs, you may also benefit from trenchless repair methods, such as:

• Pipe Lining: This is often done utilizing cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) technology—a non-invasive underground piping method used for rehabilitating damaged drain and sewer lines with a felt tube soaked in epoxy.
• Pipe Bursting: This uses hydraulic power to direct a new line into place while bursting the existing line apart.

Need Drainage Pipe Repair in Ottawa? Trust Your Local Pros at Mr. Rooter Plumbing!

Even if you've been keeping up with routine maintenance, clogs, and leaks could still occur. Tree roots, shifting soil, and other external factors all create plumbing issues you don't have time for! When that happens, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Ottawa is here to meet your needs. You can trust our quality workmanship and customer care for dependable repairs and many other plumbing services.

If you have questions about Ottawa drainage pipe repairs or need an inspection from your local, experienced plumbers, call us or request an appointment online. We proudly serve all communities in and around Ottawa, from Barrhaven to Gatineau!