Tag Archives: Sump Pump

Chicago and Villa Park Plumbing Services Tip: Unclog A Drain

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A clogged shower drain can be very frustrating. It can interrupt a morning routine and lead to unexpected repair costs. There are a few quick tricks that will save you money on water bills and make bathing a more enjoyable experience.

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

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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.

Preventing Home Flooding Around Chicago

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Springtime will soon be upon Chicago, IL, and that means one thing: rain, and lots of it. And as Chicago homeowners you are aware that that leads to basement flooding problems. Basement flooding is a major problem, ruining property, causing sanitation problems, and putting people at risk of electric shock. Rainwater can enter the home through cracks in foundation walls, backed up floor drains, and flooded street drainage pipes that connect to your home.

 

The best solution prevent home flooding is a reliable sump pump, which will drain flooding water into the home’s drainage pipe, or outdoors. When a sump pump is installed, it begins with a professional, licensed plumber choosing a location in your basement to dig a sump pit, which collects floodwater, the size of the pit depends on the amount of water that enters during storm conditions. The sump pump(s), sits in the base of the pit, pumps the rainwater away. Sump pumps are one of the most popular, most efficient solutions to basement flooding caused by excess ground water.

At Scottish Plumber, we install sump pumps for all kinds of homes all over Chicago and Villa Park, IL. Give us a call today for more information.

 http://www.scottishplumber.com/drain-cleaning-services/sump-pumps

Sump Pump or Sewage Ejector?

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sewer-coverMany people have heard of sump pumps, but not many people know about sewer ejectors- also called sewage ejector pumps.  And with all of the different makes and models of pumps out there for both sump pumps and sewage ejectors, it can be hard to tell which you have in your home without the help of a professional.

So what’s the difference between a sump pump and a sewer ejector?  A sump pump deals mostly with excess water in and around a basement, to control and prevent flooding.  By having a properly dug sump pump pit in the lowest area of the basement of a home, excess water from the ground, rainwater, and storm water is collected in the pit and pumped by the sump pump out of the home and  into a storm sewer or a city’s wastewater system.  It can even pump away the excess water in the soil around the foundation of a home, to prevent basement moisture, mold, and flooding.

The actual wastewater from the sinks, tubs, and showers in most homes is drained into the sanitary sewer or city’s sewage system by a series of drains and pipes powered simply by gravity.  However, in some situations a drain, laundry line, tub or other wastewater creator can be located too low in the home to drain by gravity.  This is when the home needs a sewage ejector pump to force the wastewater into the sanitary sewer.

If you have a sewer ejector in your home and sewer gases are leaking out of the pit and causing a sewage smell in your basement, it may not be properly installed or maintained.  The covers for older sewage ejector pumps are commonly made out of steel and can corrode and lose their airtight seal over the years.  If you notice sewer gas smells near your pump, contact The Scottish Plumber right away to have it inspected and make sure it’s in working order.  The presence of sewage in a home that is not pumping it out of the basement effectively is a concern for the health and safety of the home’s occupants.