Property owners in Oakland and Berkeley may experience “random city smoke testing.” Local ordinances require sewer lines to be tested for code compliance. What Is Sewer System Smoke Testing? Underground smoke testing is used to detect deficiencies in sewer pipes and the sewage system. Smoke tests can be especially important after episodes of heavy rainfall. Smoke testing is a low-cost … Read More
Sinkholes: When Sewer Repair Goes Wrong
Some homeowners find themselves dealing with an unexpected and worsening problem on their property: sinkholes. Sinkholes are usually an artificial problem typically caused damaged sewage pipes and drainpipes, broken septic tanks, buried trash, or soil that was not properly compacted after excavation work. Sinkholes can appear where underground sewer pipes have been damaged. This is especially noticeable when the soil … Read More
Do Low-Flow Toilets Cause Sewer System Problems?
Low-flow toilets have become popular in recent years. As the name suggests, low-flow toilets use less water, which is an important consideration in the drought-prone San Francisco Bay Area. However, there are possible downsides to low-flow toilet fixtures and the effect they can have on your sewer and plumbing system: things to keep in mind if you’re thinking about purchasing … Read More
PSL Pressure Testing Procedure
If you’re a property owner in the San Francisco Bay Area, make sure sure informed about private sewer later (PSL) pressure tests. A PSL pressure test affects private sewer laterals in the East Bay and much of the greater Bay Area. PSL pressure tests are essential for current and potential property owners who wish to buy, sell, build, or remodel … Read More
What Is a Private Sewer Lateral and How Does It Work?
Most homeowners only think about sewer lines until there’s a problem. Whenever there’s and problem with your home’s sewage system – and you live in Oakland or the East Bay – chances are you’ll be learning about the concept of a private sewer lateral (or PSL). What is a Private Sewer Lateral? A private sewer lateral (PSL) is the pipe that connects … Read More
How to Clean a Sewer Line
The toilet water is bubbling. Water is backing up in the tub. The kitchen sink drain is making a sucking sound. It’s time to clean your sewer line. Clearing a sewer blockage isn’t usually something people are excited to talk about. But if you’re experiencing any of the issues above, there’s a good chance you need to clean out your private … Read More
How to Troubleshoot Sewer Line Problems
Even if you haven’t noticed any issues, undiagnosed sewer line problems have the potential to cause extensive damage to your home if not remediated in the early stages of malfunction. Sewer line symptoms like clogs, backups, or oder are warning signs that should alert homeowners to possible sewer line damage. If you identify any of these sewer line problem warning … Read More
Locate Underground Utility Lines – Before You Begin Digging
Replacing underground utilities is a complex process. Whenever excavating or digging into the ground is required, it’s critical to understand exactly where buried utility lines are located – in order to avoid causing serious damage to underground infrastructure on your property. Here’s what you need to know before digging. What Are Underground Utilities? The term “utility” refers to the services provided … Read More
What Is Pipe Bursting Technology?
What Is Pipe Bursting? Pipe bursting is a trenchless sewer repair method that involves breaking and expanding the existing buried sewer line while simultaneously replacing it with new high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes. Pipe bursting does not require the use of added chemicals or other contaminants. Coupled with the long lifespan of the environmentally-safe HDPE pipe, pipe bursting is considered to be a … Read More
EBMUD Private Sewer Lateral (PSL) Compliance
With mandates from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, the East Bay Municipal District (EBMUD) formed the East Bay Regional Private Sewer Lateral Program. The EBMUD PSL Program has a large impact on Bay area residents and property owners, especially those with old and aging sewer laterals in need of repair. … Read More