Author: scot-admin

Home Buyers Beware

At this time in history a home buyer needs to make sure that the sewer line in the home they are about to buy is in good working order.  What most people don’t know – even the sellers- are that sewer pipes degrade and after 30, 40 or 50 years – the grout or mortar that holds the pipes together underground degrades and wash away.  This happens as the pipes age and there is nothing short of sewer pipe lining or digging it up and replacing the sewer to insure that these joints stay intact.  A short time after the mortar washes away, trees sense water in the ground and send tiny hair like roots to investigate and once they find the source the roots grow into the sewer.  Cutting down the trees is not solving the problem since roots will continue to grow even after the tree is gone. Another issue that is caused by the small openings between the pipes is that it allows storm water to enter the system causing many homeowners sewer backups during storms.  These backups happen because you, your neighbors and the municipal sewers are all in the same condition allowing large amounts of storm water into the system causing the sewage treatment facility to back up and this filthy mixture has nowhere to go except into your basement.  As you can guess; this combination of storm and sewage is an unhealthy mixture and makes not only an awful mess in your basement, it can destroy precious belongings, the water heater, furnace and other appliances.

The solution:  Have a sewer inspection done by a professional plumber who has a sewer camera before purchasing the home.  Home inspectors do not do this type of inspection since it takes special equipment.  The cost of this type of sewer inspection can range from $99 up to $500 depending on the plumbing contractor you call.  It involves inserting the camera into the sewer and in most cases they need to rod the sewer first.  They need to rod the sewer because most homes in the area are older than 30 years old and have tree roots so the rodding machine is needed to open a pathway through the tree roots before the condition of the sewer pipe can be seen.  At the Scottish Plumber we offer a $99 Drain Cleaning and Video Camera Inspection and if you are buying a new home this is a service we highly recommend.  We know that sewer repairs can range from several thousand to twenty thousand or more.  $99 compared to a $20,000 repair makes this service a no-brainer for home buyers.  Even new home buyers need this service because your new home most likely was built on an old lot and the contractor’s plumber hooked your new homes plumbing up to the old original sewer line. .  This whole scenario happens due to the age of the pipes and to be fair -contractors and home owners cannot see under the ground they just don’t know the condition of the pipes and in most cases they are not trying to hide this information, they are just not aware of it.

Call today to set up your appointment 877-622-5458 for $99 Sewer Inspection.  We serve all of Chicagoland.

Sewer Lining or Relining

This is the newest and most cost effective form of sewer repair available.  It is fairly new to the US but has been used in Europe for about 40 years.   Sewer Re-lining or Sewer lining saves time, energy and money for clients needing sewer repairs.

This technology is also called Cured In Place Pipe (CIPP) because a soft PVC pipe is impregnated with epoxy and inserted into the broken sewer and cured in place for several hours leaving behind a “new” seamless pipe that is as strong as the original pipe.  This CIPP comes with a 50 year guarantee leaving home owners with the peace of mind they are looking for.

The technique seems simple but dealing with old sewers many feet underground which may have bends, turns and other pipes leading into them can complicate matters.  Some sewers may have tree roots, missing sections, bellies and a myriad of other issues that need to be addressed. These are not unsolvable problems with the right professional, equipment and lining materials.  Choosing a contractor who specializes in this type of work pays off as in any other home repair situation.

The Scottish Plumber has the technology, experienced staff and the depth of knowledge to solve drainage and sewer problems, it is our specialty.  In order to get a diagnoses and an estimate on sewer repairs a video camera needs to be inserted in the sewer pipe to see the condition of the pipe and the repairs needed.

Occasionally a sewer may be so root infested a camera inspection cannot be done until the line is completely clear of tree roots and this can be performed with a stronger pipe scouring method known as hydro jetting, which is more expensive due to the nature of the equipment needed.  The hydro jetting is able to cut through roots and force them out of the sewer and is often used in commercial and residential applications where sludge and grease are involved.

Call today for a $99 Drain Opening & Sewer Camera Inspection to see for your own eyes the condition of your sewer.  If you are buying a new home this should be done along with the home inspection.

Chicago & Villa Park Plumbers: Sump Pumps To the Rescue

You may already know from unfortunate experience how destructive water in your basement can be. Aside from wrecking any possessions you store in your basement, water that gets in from outside can also encourage the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria that can make your family sick.

You may already have a sump pump to protect your Chicago area home from a devastating flood. If you don’t, The Scottish Plumber can help you select the right sump pump for your home, and install it properly so that it works every time – but there’s a catch. sump pump are electric. What if the power goes out?

The Scottish Plumber has the solution. Consider purchasing a battery back-up sump pump. This second pump, because it’s battery operated, runs automatically if the power goes out. You needn’t be home to activate it. Some battery back-up sump pumps turn on immediately when the power goes out; others turn on only when the main pump fails. We recommend the first type – it’s possible that there could be a short delay between the failure of the main pump and the activation of the battery back-up pump, which could allow a significant amount of water to collect in your basement. Choose a battery back-up sump pump that will activate automatically when the power goes out.

Invite The Scottish Plumber to your Chicago area home today to plan for the moment when the waters rise.

Chicago & Villa Park Plumbers: Sump Pumps & Clean Drains

Are you in need of sewer and drain cleaning in Chicago and Villa Park? Stop your search and give Scottish Plumber a call today. Scottish Plumber is a trusted Chicago plumbing company that has the solution to your sewer and drain cleaning problem. Clogged shower drain? Call Scottish plumbers for quick, reasonably priced drain cleaning.

A sump pump, by pumping excess water away from your home, can aid in drain maintenance by encouraging a steady exchange of water if it functions properly. The sump pump will function best if installed correctly, and Scottish Plumber assures our Chicago and Villa Park customers that we will install your sump pump correctly the first time, so you can easily use and maintain it for years to come.

Scottish Plumber plumbing experts will first diagnose your sewer or drain system to determine a problem, if any. From there, we employ a team of trained plumbers and drain cleaning specialists to answer the plumbing needs of Chicago and Villa Park customers. Say you have a pesky shower drain that clogs easily. A Scottish Plumber professional will come to your residence or business and inspect all plumbing. The problem might be a poorly functioning sump pump. If the pump is clogged with dirt and hair, for example, then it can easily back up your drain.

We at Scottish Plumber install and repair Chicago and Villa Park sump pumps so you don’t have to! Please contact us to learn how we can implement a sump pump solution for you.

Chicago & Villa Park Battery Back Up Sump Pump Installation Can Protect Your Basement From Flooding

What happens if your sump pump fails? Since the sump pump functions to draw water away from the foundation of your home, a failed sump pump could lead to basement flooding and severe water damage. To avoid the high cost of repairing water damage to your home, you may want to consider a battery back up pump for your sump pump. Scottish Plumber is ready to install battery back up sump pumps in Chicago and Villa Park.

The battery backup sump pump switches on when the main sump pump fails due to power failure or disrepair. Imagine a severe thunderstorm impacting your home and compromising the power supply. This could shut off your sump pump, leaving your home with no mechanism to protect against flooding and water damage. When you purchase a battery backup sump pump and have Scottish Plumbers install it, you are ensuring that your home will have proper plumbing even if the power goes out.

Chicago and Villa Park battery back up sump pump customers may want to consult one of our sump pump specialists at Scottish Plumber to select a model that fits your home, your existing sump pump configuration, and your drain and sewer system.

At Scottish Plumbers, we recognize the risk of basement flooding to our Chicago and Villa Park drain and sewer cleaning customers, so we make sure to provide the best quality battery backup sump pump installation and repair.

Broken Sewers in Chicago are an expressway with an off ramp into your home for Rats

The Scottish Plumber specializes in Sewers and Drains in the Chicagoland area.  We have found that many homes in the city which have a broken sewer, also have a rat problem.   Most homeowners think the rats are entering through the walls, which is partly true but they first get under the building through the sewer system.  Many of the newer buildings in Chicago are hooked up to the original 100 year old sewer pipes and only have new plumbing within the building.  The sewer pipe which is also known as the lateral line is the underground pipe that connects your drain pipes to the city’s main drain pipes in the street.  In Chicago, the storm and sewer is a combined system and many sewers were built before 1900.  This is where the rats live and they can travel from building to building through the storm and sewer system. Think of it like an expressway with an off ramp into your home-if you have a broken sewer pipe.

Here are the most common symptoms of a broken sewer:

  • Sewer Gas Smell
  • Rat Infestation
  • Clogged Floor Drains
  • Whole building stoppage or clog
  • Sewer Flies
  • Sand in the Pipes

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms PLEASE CALL ASAP so it can be taken care of quickly before the damage gets worse.  This is a problem that gets worse with time and your system will continue to degrade until it collapses causing a loss of sewer service. Once a sewer collapses, the repairs are much more costly and destructive.  If sewer repairs are made early on when the first signs of a problem are discovered, a no dig sewer patch or liner can be put in place with no destruction to your property.  This no dig repair trenchless technology (also known as Cured in Place Pipe) is a much less costly and invasive type of repair method which has just recently become available to the residential marketplace. The beauty of this no dig trenchless technology is that there is no digging or destruction, saving historic buildings, sidewalks, driveways, roadways and landscaping from damage.  The Scottish Plumber is the Chicagoland leader in trenchless and non-invasive pipe repair technology, saving our clients time, energy and money.  We also have the licensing, equipment, and depth of knowledge required for all types of sewer maintenance and repair.

FYI -A drain clog or stoppage which is confined to one sink or toilet is usually not a broken sewer.  It’s probably just a stubborn, localized clog – and we can help with that too!

Clogged Drain Tips: Shower Drain

A clogged shower drain can be very frustrating. It can interrupt a morning routine and lead to unexpected repair costs. Here are a few quick tricks that can save you money on professional drain rodding.

1. Clear the drain manually.

If you periodically clean your shower drain, it is less likely to function poorly due to blockage from body dirt and cleaning products. It is also important to avoid placing objects such as solid soap into the drain because over time it can build up and clog the drain. Drain cleaning can be as simple as using baking soda + vinegar (pour in vinegar, add baking soda and wait 15 minutes) , then use  a long brush to break up residue. Make sure to flush the drain with large amounts of hot water.

2. Unclog the drain with an instrument.

A clogged shower drain may be the result of tangled hair accumulating in the drain. Liquid drain cleaner is not suggested to clean the shower drain – it does not work  well on hair. You may need to use a snakelike instrument to reach down the drain and remove the obstruction.

3. Clean the drain before it becomes clogged.

Make sure  a strainer (drain cover) is in place so there is minimal hair going down the drain.  You can keep your drains cleaned by preventing clogging in the first place. This may be the most effective way to maintain the functionality of any drain or sewer. Periodic residential plumbing and drain cleaning services are a great option for drain or sewer repair.

Scottish Plumber will unclog your drain or sewer in Chicago, IL, or in any surrounding suburb of Chicago. We provide the best in drain cleaning, so please call us today for more information.

Villa Park & Chicago Plumbers Give Your Sump Pump The All-Clear

Proper maintenance can extend the life of your sump pump and protect your home against flooding. However, if the sump pump becomes clogged, it will not function properly and can result in water damage to your home. To maintain your sump pump, simply perform an annual check-up. Here are 3 things you can do once a year to make sure the sump pump is in working order:

1. Check the motor on the sump pump.
 Activate the switch to make sure that the motor is functioning. If not, the sump pump cannot effectively move water away form your home. You may need to replace the pump or the motor to avoid flooding.

2. Disconnect the sump pump from the power source.
 Always disconnect the sump pump before reaching inside. You can avoid injury by disconnecting the pump before cleaning it.

3. Clear debris from the sump pump.
 Blockage can cause a sump pump not to function, and can lead to costly basement flooding. By keeping the sump pump free of dirt and debris, you will not need to replace it as frequently. You can unclog the sump pump manually and restore its functioning in many cases.

Maintain your sump pump in 3 easy steps to protect your home from water damage. Scottish Plumber will gladly install your automatic sump pump or manual sump pump, you can easily inspect it to keep it running smoothly. Scottish Plumber will gladly install sump pumps anywhere in Chicago and Villa Park, IL. Call us today for more information.

Plumbing Tips: Toilets

Toilets are greedy for water at their best, but if there’s a leak, it will really cost you. When you do your spring cleaning, check your toilet’s overall health. If there’s a problem you’re not comfortable fixing yourself, call a Scottish Plumber expert to your Chicago area home.

First, try to wiggle the toilet to make sure it doesn’t move. Check for cracked or crumbling caulking around the base of the toilet, and if necessary, scrape it off and re-caulk. Lift the lid and look inside the tank for any parts that appear rusty or broken. Add a few drops of food coloring to the tank and let it sit for half an hour. If the color shows up in the bowl, your tank has a leak. Flush the toilet. If you have to hold the handle down to get a full flush or jiggle the handle to get the flap to seat, it’s time to replace the tank parts.

Finally, check the hoses and valves for moisture on your fingers, and if you see wetness on the floor behind the toilet, you probably have a leak. A Scottish Plumber expert can help you with any necessary repairs to keep your toilet working properly and save on your water bills.

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