Plumber Greenacres

Several drains backing up: what to do first

When multiple fixtures slow down or back up together, stop using water in the home right away. Ask everyone to stop flushing, showering and running appliances. Keep people and pets away from any wastewater, and do not attempt sewage cleanup without proper protection. Do not pour chemical drain openers into a backed-up line, and do not open a cleanout while it is under pressure.

Palm Beach County Water Utilities lists sewer back-ups and complaints among the issues its 24-hour line handles, using the official contact details. If you are on the county sewer and neighbors are affected too, call the county. If only your home is affected, the cause is more likely on the private side, and that is where a plumber comes in. On a septic system, the tank may need attention. Our drain cleaning service handles private drain blockages, and the plumber can tell you whether the problem needs more than clearing.

Do kitchen habits matter more on septic?

Kitchen plumbing work is the same either way: Du-All repairs and installs faucets, sinks, garbage disposals, dishwashers and kitchen water lines. But daily habits at the sink can matter more when the wastewater goes to a tank. Grease and food scraps add material that a septic system has to handle, and EPA septic care guidance specifically says not to pour grease such as fats, butter or heavy cream down the drain. The same EPA page advises limiting garbage disposal use in septic homes, because food waste can add an unnecessary amount of solid material to the tank.

For homes on sewer, grease still causes trouble in private drain lines. When a kitchen sink drains slowly, avoid chemical openers and call instead. If you are replacing a disposal in a septic home, mention the septic system so the choice and use of the new unit can be discussed. Our kitchen plumbing page lists the fixtures we handle.

• Wipe greasy pans before washing
• Scrape food scraps into the trash
• Run the disposal for small amounts only
• Mention septic before replacing a disposal

Booking a plumbing visit in Greenacres

Greenacres areas such as the Original Section, Sherwood Forest, Pine Country and Sunland Estates help with directions. They do not tell us whether a particular home is on sewer or septic, or what its pipes are like. We assess each property on its own, and if the answer to the sewer or septic question is unclear, we work it out with you before recommending a next step.

When you call, tell us whether the home is on sewer or septic if you know, which fixtures are affected, whether the problem is constant or only during use and when it started. If several drains are backing up, say so first. Every Du-All service is on our plumbing services hub, and the request form lets you describe the situation in your own words. The coupon page lists current offers and how each one applies. Before any repair begins, we walk you through the cause and the options.