Frequently Asked Plumbing Questions

Learn how to shut off the water in your house BEFORE you experience a plumbing emergency! Homeowners can care for their homes by being prepared to shut off all utilities, including gas lines, water systems and meters. Leak in your ceiling? Installing a new fixture? Turn off the water by locating the shut-off valve where the water pipeline from the water meter enters the house. Your house will most likely have a “gate valve” – for a gate valve turn Clockwise = Closed or Off, turn Counter-clockwise = Open or On. A more recent version of a shut-off valve is a “ball valve” (handle valve) – for a ball valve, turn Away from the water line (perpendicular) = Closed or Off, turn Parallel to the water line = Open or On. If you cannot find your shut-off valve, please ask a plumber for help.

The concern isn’t about sewer water leaking into the ground – it’s about rainwater getting into the sewage system. Your sewer line must be watertight, so that no rainwater can seep into the sewers; when too much rainwater seeps in, excess sewage water spills into the San Francisco Bay. The effort to keep the Bay clean is called the East Bay Regional Private Sewer Lateral (PSL) Program. Your sewer is in compliance if your property’s sewer lateral has received a Compliance Certificate from EBMUD, or the City of Berkeley, Albany, Alameda, Richmond and some cities in Contra Costa County. See Pipe Spy’s “sewer responsibility” infographic on our Trenchless Services page to learn about your responsibility for your property’s upper and lower laterals. There are some exceptions, so please call Pipe Spy for up-to-date information about sewer compliance for your location. The process of obtaining a compliance certificate might be as simple as scheduling an inspection – once your Pipe Spy service technician inspects your sewer, we'll let you know if we think your sewer will “pass” the compliance process without repairs. If so, we’ll simply submit the DVD and compliance application for you, and forward you the certificate once it is approved. If our camera inspection shows any potential problems, our service technician will provide you with an expert diagnosis and a free estimate for repair and replacement of your sewer line. Once the sewer problems have been fixed, we’ll manage the compliance certificate application process for you, and keep you informed at every step.

All the water pipes in your home are connected to take advantage of gravity, so that waste water flows down, vertically or at an angle, into your sewer lateral pipe. The sewer lateral is also sloped, to run the water downhill into the sewer main in the street. Some properties are actually below the street – in this case, when the sewer main is above the level of the house’s drain lines, a pump is installed to move the water up. Why isn’t your sewer drain line working? There are many flaws which can create backups in your sewer and drain lines. Improper slope, broken pipes due to age, impact or ground shifts, and infiltration by tree roots are the most common causes of a backed-up sewer pipe or slow-running drain line. To properly diagnose your sewer pipe or drain line problem, a sewer line camera inspection is the best place to start. Pipe Spy service technicians are trained experts and are experienced in proper sewer line diagnostics and troubleshooting. We can address your backed-up or slow-running sewer pipe problems with repairs, snaking or hydro-jetting, and sewer line replacement. Please call us if you have any problems with your drain lines.

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Sewer line backups can be caused by damage to your property’s sewer line or from a problem in the city main sewer. Tree root infiltration is the #1 cause of sewer spills and backups in your sewer line on private property . No backup event is ever wanted, but a backup that flows outside your house is better than inside. To prevent indoor backups, hire an experienced sewer plumber to install a "backflow relief" device on the outdoor portion of your sewer lateral. There are numerous devices and methods for providing backflow relief. Pipe Spy can help you choose the right backflow reflief device and placement of it on your property. The #2 cause of backups and spills is the buildup of fats, oils and grease in the sewer line ("F.O.G."). NEVER pour cooking oil, animal fat or grease in a sink or drain. Even a little every day builds up over time. Scrape and wipe cooking pans, utensils and dishes into the garbage before you rinse them in the sink. Pipe Spy recommends that homeowners schedule a sewer pipe inspection periodically – every 4-5 years, or more frequently if you’ve had problems in the past. Snaking and Hydro-jetting can help clear the line if the video inspection shows that it’s needed. Stay on top of root intrusion and build-up of materials in your sewer line, and you might never have a sewer backup event.

Located above the ground, a sewer Clean Out connects to your sewer line for access for clearing or inspecting the line. Your Sewer Clean Out can be located near or next to your home close to a bathroom, your sidewalk, or property lines. Depending on the area, the Clean Out may also be located in a crawl space or basement. You may find a clean out near your sidewalk, property line or next to your house, close to a bathroom. In some areas, a clean out may have been installed in a crawl space or basement. Pipe Spy can help you locate your cleanout. A clean out is required for servicing the sewer lateral and some compliance testing, and may be necessary for sewer camera inspection. If your property does not have a cleanout, Pipe Spy can install one for you. If you are a property owner, take the time to learn where your clean out is located, so you will be able to quickly address sewer blockages and prevent overflows.

A sewer line should last a lifetime – Normal sewer line life is 50 to 100 years Sewer line integrity depends on how the pipe was originally installed, what’s happened to the ground over time, and what surrounds the sewer. Improper embedment of the sewer line, insufficient ground compaction, and earth movement are some of the causes of sewer line damage. The pipe may be fine, but the joints can fail, allowing root intrusion from trees, or seepage. East Bay sewer systems were installed 50-100 years ago with terracotta clay pipe, cast iron pipe, and in some rare cases Orangeburg (fiber conduit) pipes. Those sewer lines are aging, fast and have a high probability of reoccurring problems or complete failure. Pipe Spy replaces sewer pipes with HDPE (high-density polyethylene) pipe. HDPE pipe has a life span that should last 100 years or more. HDPE was developed in Australia in the mid 1900s for use as conduits in the mining industry. It was later adopted in the United States for use in conveying gas, water, and other industrial fluid technologies. Pipe Spy has been instrumental in bringing HDPE to the forefront as a solution in Bay Area sewer compliance by working with local city governments to get the material approved for use across the sewer contracting industry in the East Bay Area and Oakland. Why HDPE? HDPE pipe is an extremely flexible and durable material. With only two connection points at the property and the city main, trenchless installation of HDPE is less likely to experience root intrusion like clay and cast iron pipes. Heat fusion welded jointing methods are used for longer pipe runs to create a homogenous joint as strong, and in some cases stronger than the pipe itself providing pipeline integrity at installation points. In addition, HDPE will not experience rust, corrosion, or cracks, leaving it less prone to seepage, leaks, and earth erosion underneath its placement. The benefits of using HDPE: Extreme joint strength and durability No coupling restraints needed as seamless joints can be achieved through heat fusion Resistance to corrosion, deposits, and abrasion Flexibility in installation reducing the probability of chips, cracks, and breaks Sustainability as the material lasts for 100 years and is recyclable for reuse in waste industry Cost savings as HDPE will last for a lifetime with minimal need for maintenance Trenchless installation of HDPE pipe as sewer laterals requires that the pipe has earth and properly compacted ABS gravel underneath connection points to give it the support necessary to prevent improper slope. Pipe Spy is expert in sewer lateral installations and in creating the right environment to give every pipe installed an optimal chance at a 100-year lifespan. Our work crews are also masterful at restoring dig site surface areas in yards, sidewalks, and streets to look natural and undisturbed after the work is completed. Business and homeowners can rest easy, knowing that their property has been enhanced with quality materials. After a Pipe Spy sewer line replacement project, your sewer will last into the next century. That is peace of mind.

Pipe Spy uses HDPE pipe for trenchless sewer lateral replacement. HDPE is the safest and most efficient option for sewer pipe replacement. “High-density polyethylene” pipes are now widely used in the sewer industry. We know a lot about HDPE pipe – the trenchless advocates at Pipe Spy were the driving force behind the change from old clay pipe to HDPE pipe in the approval process by local utility inspectors. We educated the inspectors on the durability of HDPE and on the benefits of HDPE for East Bay property owners – 100+ years of useful life, lower cost, faster sewer repair, and less impact on sidewalks, streets, and property. HDPE is better for our team too – it’s so light, one person can carry a 20-foot section, and it won’t break or hurt someone’s foot if it’s dropped! HDPE is the same substance used in bottle caps, reusable water bottles, plastic lumber, patio furniture, hula hoops….the list goes on. While HDPE products will stay in landfills almost forever without decomposing, that issue is a major benefit for your underground pipes. Pipe Spy saves you money, because HDPE is inexpensive compared to terra cotta (clay) and cast iron pipe, is more stable than ABS pipe, and will outlast all three. (ABS is the black plastic pipe commonly used in interior plumbing) HDPE won’t rust or fracture. HDPE is safe because it’s rigid enough to hold its form over time, even in a seismically active area, and yet it is flexible enough to use in trenchless pipe replacement. 20-foot sections are joined using butt fusion, making a longer section of pipe that is effectively seamless. The seamless HDPE pipe has a longer life than clay or iron pipe because there are no joints to slip or allow root intrusion. Best of all, using flexible HDPE means no ugly trench or damaged driveways or landscaping. Pipe Spy works with HDPE to give you peace of mind.

Sanitary sewers and storm sewers are separate underground sewer systems. They are never connected, and serve different purposes. Rainwater flows into curbside catch basins and then into the city’s storm sewer pipes. Your roof gutter collects and then directs rainwater into the downspout, which may drain into a storm sewer pipe on your property, and then to the city’s storm sewer pipe. Your backyard may have an area drain, connected to the city’s storm sewer pipe, especially if you live at the bottom of a hill – ground water under your home must be directed to the storm drain. Once in the city’s storm sewer pipe, all the water flows – untreated – to rivers, creeks and into the San Francisco Bay. That's as it should be: rain and ground water returns to the local waterways. Your sanitary sewer is a collection system for all the water used in the plumbing fixtures in your house, including floor drains as well as tubs, sinks, and washers. Your sanitary sewer pipe directs the sewage from the house to the city's sanitary sewer main and then to the municipal treatment plant for processing. The treated water is then safe to be discharged back into the local water environment in the East Bay.

Sewer smell coming from your sink doesn’t always mean something’s broken, but it does mean that some part of the plumbing system isn’t functioning properly. Sewer gas is supposed to go up and out, so your home is designed with vent pipes to vent that gas at the top of your house. You might see these pipes on the outside of your house, or just vents on the roof. See the yellow vent pipes on our simple illustration of a home sanitary system design on our Plumbing page. A common reason for sewer smell is a sink or drain that isn’t used frequently. If not used, the P-Trap under the drain lacks enough water to block the sewer gas from escaping. This happens to guest bathrooms and powder room toilets that aren’t used often, and to basement floor drains. The P-Traps under these drains lose water by evaporation, so sewer gas seeps back through the line into the house. Flush, wash your hands, pour mop water down that basement floor drain – use those fixtures once in a while. But something could be broken if there’s sewer gas smell in the house. A fixture vent might be damaged or blocked, which can cause a P-Trap to lose water by suction. The P-Trap could be damaged or loose. The problem could also be in the sewer line – a Pipe Spy sewer line video inspection can help to diagnose a solution to your sewer smell problem.

An active whirlpool in the toilet when you flush is what you want to see. Bubbles, gurgling noises, or a toilet that doesn’t drain quickly are indicators of problems in the pipes. A backed-up or slow-flushing toilet can happen for various reasons. Something might have been flushed and is blocking the pipe (see our FAQ on "What Not to Flush"). If the problem toilet is on the second floor of the house, this kind of internal blockage is the most likely cause. If your neighbors also have the same problem, the problem could lie in the city sewer main – call the local sanitary district or the city public works department to report the problem. The first step is do-it-yourself – use a common plunger. If plunger pressure doesn’t get the water moving, the problem can usually be fixed by snaking the line. You can use a snake yourself, but basic snake tools at the hardware store might not be long enough, or powerful enough. Your slow toilet problem might need attention from a service professional who can use a power snake or hydro-jet tools to cut through the blockage in the sanitary line, and then use a video camera to diagnose the source of the problem.

Sanitary water lines are designed to dispose of only water, human waste and toilet paper. That may seem obvious, but then why do so many other materials and objects get flushed? Pipe Spy plumbers do get called to remove non-flushable materials from toilets and sanitary lines, so we know it happens. We’ve found the following non-flushable items: Disposable diapers “Flushable” wipes Ddental floss Paper towels Excess toilet and facial tissue Feminine products All these materials swell up, get caught on breaks or tree roots in the line and cause sewer backups. Diapers, wipes and feminine products should never be flushed, no matter what the packaging says. Paper cups, paper plates, plastic wrap, cloth hand towels Large foods scraps, bones, grease Toys, watches, small bottles, cardboard boxes, pins, hair ties Construction cones These items don’t flow down the line easily, and will create a backup even if the sewer line is in good condition. Every drain in your house leads to the sewer, so a little item down one drain plus a little item down another drain, plus, plus, plus… creates a blocked sewer eventually. Combine these items with the biggest drain line problem - "F.O.G.": fats, oils and grease - and you are due for a sewage spill. (For more on "F.O.G.", see our FAQ "How can I prevent a Sewer Backup") The first line of defense is a change of habit - DON’T FLUSH items that shouldn't be flushed. The second line of defense is to prevent accidental flushes - close the lid before you flush, just in case something falls in. Use a lid lock consistently if you have small children in the house. If something does fall in, don’t flush repeatedly to ‘help’ it go down the pipe, doing so will only make the problem worse. And last, if something does fall in and you can’t retrieve it immediately, do call a plumber right away to prevent a major backup event. A little preventative service will go a long way, so you’ll Flush With Confidence® for years to come.

What to do after an Earthquake? Check for problems now, to prevent a sewer line issue from becoming a smelly backup event inside your home Old clay sewer pipe lines can fracture from ground movement; if you have an older home, it’s likely that you have clay pipes. Iron pipe joints can become offset after a minor quake. If you know you have a newer HDPE plastic sewer pipe, then it’s unlikely your sewer line has been damaged. What should you do, if you suspect you have earthquake damage to your sewer line? Call Pipe Spy for a CCTV pipe inspection. Our technician will inspect your sewer pipe from the city main to the entry to your house, inform you if we see any damage and provide you with a competent assessment for any necessary repairs. If you have sudden low water pressure or air in your water flow inside your house after an earthquake, Pipe Spy can refer you to a local qualified plumber who can repair potential earthquake damage to your internal plumbing. Everyone should check for these symptoms of trouble after an earthquake: Your toilet is gurgling, bubbles float to the surface, you have a weak flush or the water level is low after flushing. You or your neighbors observe a sink hole in your lawn, or find wet areas that shouldn’t be there. You or your neighbors notice rodent droppings or see rodents – rats and other rodents tunnel in to feed and breed in broken sewer pipes. You or your neighbors smell that unmistakable smell, inside your home or outside. Your sump pump is running more often. You have sewage backup into a floor drain, shower or tub.

One of our guiding principles is that we want to be the sewer repair company you'll recommend to your friends and neighbors. This mission has led our team to develop the expertise, depth of experience, and knowledge of local sewer compliance that you require. Along with the best in professionalism, certification, licensing and overall quality of work, Pipe Spy offers the best service you can find in the San Francisco Bay Area.