Scotto's Plumbing

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CALL US NOW: (727) 581-5828

Scotto's Plumbing

TEXT SCOTTOS TO 85100 TO OPT-IN TO RECEIVE SPECIAL OFFERS. 

Beauty and Hygiene Products That Are Ugly for Plumbing

websitebuilder • October 23, 2019
Woman Doing Teeth Floss — Clearwater, FL — Scotto's Plumbing

Homeowners cautious about what they pour down their kitchen drains may still make mistakes with their bathroom plumbing. Many items can lead to plumbing clogs besides eggshells, bacon grease, and coffee grounds; you should also consider how beauty and hygiene products can affect plumbing lines. 

Concerns with Wipes

Municipal sewer companies and residential plumbing experts have long warned homeowners to not flush baby wipes down the toilet because of the tendency of the product to lead to sewer backups. The problem has continued as wipes have become increasingly popular as a product used by many adults. 

Manufacturers now make wipes for makeup removal and adult sanitary use. Some products label themselves as flushable, so people feel confident they will not cause any plumbing issues. Unfortunately, researchers have discovered that even flushable wipes can cause clogs as they do not always break down as easily as expected.

Worries About Oil

Coconut oil has become a popular cosmetic product for hair and skin. Some people even use coconut oil for oil pulling. Oil pulling is a dental practice that involves swishing oil around the mouth for 15-20 minutes to remove bacteria and plaque from the mouth before the oil is spat out in the drain.

The concern with coconut oil is that temperatures below 70 degrees Fahrenheit turn it into a solid. The product, warmed by body heat, turns into a liquid form during use and stays a liquid when rinsed with warm water down the drain from the mouth, hair or body. Once the oil reaches colder plumbing lines, the liquid becomes a solid again.

Coconut oil causes problems like bacon grease goes when it goes down a drain. The liquid coconut oil turns solid and collects along the pipe as it cools. The oil that remains in the plumbing pipe becomes a sticky spot where other items can collect.

If too much of the oil goes down a drain at once, it might close off the pipe on its own. Boiling water may temporarily loosen a clog close to the drain, but the solution is often only temporary. Another clog could occur further down the pipe as the oil cools again. Boiling water may not stay warm enough to dissolve oil deep in a drain. 

Issues with Floss

Dental floss is such a small and seemingly harmless product it may seem strange to imagine it could cause any problem. One strand, like a single strand of hair, is unlikely to lead to a sewer malfunction. The problem is that most people use dental floss daily, so the floss collects in the same way a strand of hair becomes a clump of hair in drains.

Dental floss does not biodegrade, and it can easily wrap around other items in the pipe or stick to rough, rusted sections of older plumbing. Over time, the dental floss continues to build in these sections and collect bits of paper, hair, or other flushed debris. The collection eventually builds until it closes off the pipe entirely. 

Problems with Swabs

Cotton swabs have the same small and innocent appearance of dental floss but can cause the same problems. Swabs can also become stuck to rough areas of plumbing pipes and cause other items to collect. A swab can even become wedged across the pipe and stop toilet paper from flushing through the line.

Homeowners can prevent many instances of clogged pipes if they never flush down anything except human waste and toilet paper and use caution with the products they rinse down their drains. If the warning comes too late, call us. At Scotto's Plumbing Services, we offer 24/7 emergency services to help keep your plumbing systems operating flawlessly.

Tree roots in sewer pipe
August 12, 2021
Sometimes, plumbing problems are caused by things we can see- like a clogged drain or an overflowing tub. However, these aren't always the root of the problem. While these are easy to fix, there is another dangerous plumbing issue that you should be aware of: roots in pipes. It may sound strange, but it's not unusual for roots to find their way into plumbing systems and cause a major headache. Root infiltration into your sewer lines can cause serious problems if not treated quickly and efficiently. Roots growing in sewer pipes can clog drains, back up wastewater, and even completely destroy pipes. You should be aware of the signs of roots in your pipes so that you can take quick action before the problem gets worse. Why Do Tree Roots Grow Into Pipes Tree roots grow into pipes for several different reasons. One potential cause is they are seeking something they need to grow, such as water or nutrients. Another common cause of tree roots growing into pipes is because they are already there! Many older homes have been around for decades, and trees have had plenty of time to grow in them. Roots can easily find their way into a sewer line and cause damage. Tree roots can also get into your system if you recently moved near a mass of trees. Pipes last only about 30 years, so make sure to check for leaks every year. There are numerous colors, shapes and sizes of tree roots. Roots grow every day and can even cause major blockages once they grow large enough to occupy the entire inside diameter of the pipe. Speaking of growing: They can grow about an inch or more a day and can travel through the smallest spaces to get to water. Some roots even split once they get deep enough in search of more nutrients. Even though tree roots don't consume as much water as household items as toilets do, their constant intake is still enough to give you a headache or two. Tree roots suck up water through their pores to survive, much like we do. The difference is that tree roots need more water than humans do. While humans need at least one liter of water per day for survival, trees require anywhere from 10 - 100+ liters of water every day! Signs You Have Roots In Your Pipes There are several signs to look for in the case of roots growing into your pipes. The first sign of root intrusion is if your home has a slowly draining water system. The second sign of a root in your sewer pipes is gurgling sounds coming from your toilet. Another sign is finding patches of grass that are much greener than the surrounding grass. That green grass is likely benefiting from the extra water and nutrients from the intrusion. A sunken area in the yard can often be a sign of a root intrusion. As the roots create a hole in the pipe, the surrounding dirt is washed into the city sewer. While the hole may seem small, they can create mini sinkholes which can be quite dangerous. If you do find an issue with roots in your plumbing system, it's important to call a professional plumber immediately and have the problem taken care of before you end up with a large issue on your hands. Scotto's Plumbing can perform a camera inspection to confirm the presence of roots and remove them. Preventing Roots From Entering Pipes To prevent tree roots from entering your plumbing system again, you should make sure that the trees or plants near your home are not feeding off of your water. There are a few ways to do this: Install a rain gutter to collect rainwater from nearby trees and plants. This will keep them from absorbing any of the water. Create a barrier around your house with a layer of gravel at least 3 inches thick. Be sure that it extends at least 12 inches past the perimeter of your home. The best way to create a barrier is by using four layers; the first two layers should be made up of washed gravel (gravel stones that are clean on one side), while the last two layers should consist entirely of cobble (granite-like rocks). Roots from nearby trees and plants can grow into your plumbing system, which is why you need to keep a close eye on the roots that are coming in contact with or touching your pipes. If you notice any signs of an invasion (slow draining or toilet gurgling), it's time to call in professional help to get rid of them before they cause more serious damage than just some unpleasing odors! Scotto’s Plumbing has been providing quality plumbing service to Pinellas County residents for more than 40 years. Contact us today at 727.581.5828 for all of your plumbing needs.
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