PLUMBING PLAN REVIEW
Plan review, permit and inspection update during COVID-19 pandemic
Plan review: Electronic and paper plans submitted will continue to be reviewed. Paper plans are accepted but will be processed every Tuesday. Make sure to keep copies of paper plans submitted to our office as we are not able to mail back paper plans during this time. For electronic plan review, submit plans online. Staff are working normal hours and available by phone and email.
Inspections and permits: Online permits will continue to be issued. Paper permit applications are processed every Tuesday. Inspections continue during normal hours by contacting your regional plumbing inspector.
What you need to know:
Plumbing plans, specifications and a fee must be submitted for modification or installation of all plumbing systems that serve the public or that serve a considerable number of persons. Some of these facilities include but are not limited to restaurants, resorts, hotels, vacation home rentals, grocery stores, department stores, offices, warehouses, shops, churches, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and housings with five units or more, such as apartments and condominiums (excluding townhomes built to the International Residential Code (IRC) with individual water and sewer services to each dwelling unit).
Plan review includes all interior plumbing, building sewer and water service connections within the property lines and storm water drainage systems. A few of the items we review include adequate pipe sizing, proper pipe connections, approved pipe material, fixture specifications and backflow prevention devices.
VIDEO PIPE AND SEWER INSPECTION
Plumbing uses the best technology to perform pipe and sewer inspections and diagnose issues. A high-resolution video camera attached to fiber optic cables is routed through the pipe to give visual documentation of breakage or blockage in your plumbing system. This record can be used later to determine the best plan for repair.
Drain & Sewer Tips & FAQ
Most people avoid thinking about their drains or sewer system as much as possible. And while it works for a while, eventually something is bound to go wrong. To avoid issues and maintain your sewer system as long as possible, the following tips are designed to keep your lines from needing major repairs.
Avoid Blocked Drains
The first and easiest thing you can do is work to prevent major blockages in your drains. Clogs and blockages are the number one reason for major sewer line repairs and they are completely avoidable.
To start, do not put anything down the drain that your system is not designed to handle. Remember that while toilet paper actually dissolves in water over time, other types of paper do not. Napkins, sanitary products, and paper towels will remain whole in the sewer system and eventually clog your sewer line. Instead of breaking down (something toilet paper is designed to do), they absorb water and grow heavy, eventually clogging the drain, if not in your home, in the sewer line. Also avoid flushing any food, dental products or hair down the line.
If you have a child, make sure they do not put any small objects in the drain such as toys, food, or clothing. Even when something actually flushes down the drain, there is a possibility it will get stuck between your home and the final sewer outlet.
In the kitchen, avoid putting any grease or other food waste down the drain. Only use the garbage disposal for things that it can safely break up and run the faucet at the same time as you grind the food. This will ensure that it completely breaks down whatever you place inside before it is flushed through. Grease, in particular, is a major problem in pipes as it coats the lining and other items can stick to it.
Limiting Root Problems
Roots are another major issue for sewer systems that can be avoided. Most of the time, trees and shrubs are planted far from sewer lines, unless they are added after the line is installed. Make sure you know where your sewer line is located and do not place any plants with extensive root systems nearby. Additionally, keep all root systems properly watered. Roots will usually only extend toward the pipes under your home if they are looking for a water source and the sewer line can provide that source.
Performing Maintenance On Your Own Drain & Sewer
Regular maintenance on your drains goes a long way when you are trying to avoid problems in your system. Pouring boiling hot water down the drain once per week will help to break up any errant grease that may have clung on. You should also install strainers and traps wherever possible to avoid the impact of things like hair or soap scum building up in the drain.
Clear out your traps regularly as well. You can use an auger if necessary to avoid any buildup in the actual drain. If you notice any foul smells escaping your drains, it is likely due to a dried trap. If you use the fixture regularly, call a professional to have the trap and the drain attached to it checked and make sure nothing is flowing backward in your system.
Sewer Camera Inspections
we’re committed to completing your plumbing service correctly the first time. We understand that plumbing problems can be incredibly stressful and it’s important that any issues are taken care of promptly and effectively. With this in mind, we proudly rely on some of the most advanced techniques in the industry, including state-of-the-art camera inspections and a pin-point location system.
Thanks to this cutting-edge technology, we’re able to quickly and accurately provide full sewer pipe inspections without causing any unnecessary damage to your property’s plumbing systems. Instead, we’re able to nail down the exact source of the problem and get right to work making the necessary sewer repairs or replacements
What Are the Benefits of a Sewer Camera Inspection?
The process of a sewer camera inspection involves the use of a flexible rod fitted with a hi-res camera that is placed into your home’s pipes. In a matter of minutes, we’ll be able to determine the nature and location of the issue. This allows us to provide you with an accurate, upfront cost estimate for any repairs or replacements needed.
Camera inspections allow our skilled plumbers to avoid digging up your yard or cutting through walls in an effort to locate a sewer line problem. This, in turn, means less stress for you and less destruction to your home or business. Plus, it affords us greater accuracy which leads to a much faster, safer, and overall better service for you
Sewer Inspections Explained
Blocked sewer line
Most of us never think about our sewer lines until something goes wrong. The problem with this approach is that when something goes wrong with a sewer line, it can go catastrophically wrong. Your home or business’ plumbing is one its most essential systems, and having a broken or blocked sewer line can cause problems like clogged toilets and shower drains. If you’re starting to notice water coming back up out of your shower drain or gurgling noises in your toilet, it may be time to get a sewer line inspection.
Sewer line clogs are caused by a variety of different things. Some of the most frequent causes of a blocked sewer line are large solid objects obstructing the pipes, gradual food and grease buildup from the kitchen sink, and tree roots growing into the pipe and causing damage and drain speed slowing.
Plumber Pro Tip of the Week
Tip #1 Tree roots can be a particularly prevalent issue with older pipes that aren’t made of plastic.
Tip #2 Old pipes can be made of clay and other permeable or breakable materials.
Tip #3 When a tree roots sense the heat and moisture coming off of one of these pipes, it grows toward it and sometimes into it. This can lead to a bunch of roots slowing the flow of the sewer line or even the complete collapse of the sewer line.
Invest in a sewer inspection!
The health of your sewer lines is an important thing to consider if you’re interested in saving time and money and avoiding stress. Treat your sewer lines with care and avoid putting too much food and grease into your drains. If your drains are experiencing slower speeds or are at high risk for clogging (as is the case for businesses or restaurants), get an inspection. You could be saving yourself a lot of money in the future!
