Thursday, July 20, 2017

How to Test Your Landscape Drains, Don't Ignore your Landscape Drains Just Because It's Not Raining



We have an amazing climate in here in Southern California that practically provides plants with year round growth.  Unfortunately out of sight usually means out of mind.  If your not seeing the water back up in your landscape drains, it's not a priority.  Don't make that mistake.  The longer roots and sediment sit in your pipe the harder it is to remove it.  Especially roots.  Roots get bigger and there will be a point where they damage your pipe to the point that cleaning is no longer an option and the only cure is to dig it up.  Unfortunately if that is under concrete, it's going to be a big expense. 
     We just serviced a client where the roots were left to the point where they had torn the pipe apart and it is under concrete.  Unfortunately the drains that this pipe serves are critical to draining the side of this person's house and preventing serious property damage.  Their only alternative at this point is to dig up concrete.
     Test your drains, it's easy.  The outflow from your property is usually at the street at a core outlet in the curb.  Starting at what you think is the closest drain to the outflow at the curb, test each drain with a hose at full volume for at least 3 to 4 minutes per drain and working back away from the street going back toward the back of your house.  Make a map of what works and what does not.  You will quickly find out what works and what does not.  This will be invaluable in figuring out where your problem lies.
Many people tell me that the drains work but they are just slow.  The water goes away in a day or so.  What they don't realize is that the drains are not working.  The pipe is empty at the start of the rain and acts as a reservoir. Also the pipe joints are usually not glued and this allows the water to seep out into the ground over time.  This gives the impression that the line is draining.  Many times it is not.  If the water is not leaving your property at the curb outlet, your lines are not draining. Go to the curb outlet and verify and is it leaving as fast as it is going in?
If the drains need cleaning, I strongly recommend hydro jetting, it is the least likely to damage your thinwall plastic drain pipe and absolutely the most effective process to remove roots and sediment.
If your in our service area, give us a call. But first look us up online to see what people say about us.
Superjet Sewer and Drain Cleaning, We're the ones that know what we're doing.