How Do Septic Systems Work?

Posted on May 15, 2012

Every time you brush your teeth or flush a toilet in your home, the water you use is quickly and efficiently whisked away down the drain. But have you ever thought about where the water goes from there?

If you are one of the 1.3 million housing units in Delaware County and Mainline PA with a septic system, the water doesn’t go very far. This is because a septic system treats your sewage underground right in your very own yard, and then releases the treated effluent back into the groundwater.

A septic system receives all of the water that you use in your home, from the dishwasher, sinks, toilets, washing machine, and showers. It then treats this water at a pre-determined safe level, and then returns it back into the groundwater system. A septic system is made up of several different important functioning parts, including a septic tank and a leaching bed.

The septic tank is a large, watertight container that is buried in your yard. This tank, which varies in size depending on the size of your home, separates liquids from solids, as well as serves as a place for some breakdown of organic matter to occur. The accumulation of lighter solids, such as oils, at the top of the tank is called “scum,” while the buildup of heavier solids at the bottom is called “sludge.”

Both scum and sludge are partially digested by anaerobic bacteria, which are always present in the septic tank. The partially treated wastewater from the septic tank flows into the leaching bed. The leaching bed is a soil filter that uses the natural processes of filtration, predation and environmental exposure to treat the waste water, before allowing it to filter into the ground.

As you can see, a septic system is a working system of parts, and in order for it to operate correctly, all of these parts must be properly maintained. If you are experiencing slowly running toilets, or (much worse!) a sewage flood in your basement, these are the signs of a plugged line to your septic tank. You may also experience septic odors in your house, or above the drain field. If you do, this is a sign of a system malfunction or failure. When a septic system is operating properly, it should have no odor at all.

If your septic system is acting up, or the plumbing around your home is leaking, call Wm. Henderson plumbing. We have over 35 years of experience in Delaware County and Mainline PA, and work hard to serve our customers. Call us today to get started.

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Why You Should Never Buy Your Own Parts?

Posted on May 1, 2012

If you have a plumbing problem and you have the tools and knowledge to fix it, then you probably should. Of course, if this is the case, you’re probably not here for advice. If you are reading this and you don’t know much about plumbing, though, but you still want to pick out your own fixtures, you should reconsider. There are major pitfalls you should know about before you head out to box stores.

The biggest problem is this: A plumbing contractor cannot provide a warranty for a fixture that they do not supply. This means that if the fixture breaks after installation, your plumber cannot replace it for free. Instead, you will have to call the manufacturers help line, order another fixture and wait for it to arrive. Because dealing with a manufacturer can take days or even weeks you can expect to go awhile without that fixture before everything is fixed. A plumber could have had a new fixture installed the same day had they been the one providing the warranty.

Additionally, when you pay a plumber to repair a fixture, you are also paying them for their vast experience. Plumbers, more than any individual homeowner, have the opportunity to try new products and materials, and learn what works and what doesn’t. If you buy your own part for installation, you do not get to take advantage of this experience. The result is that you could be installing an inferior part in your home.

As smart homeowners, we all want to find ways to save money and get what we want, but relying on professionals for repairs and installation is always a savings in the long run even if in the short run it seems like a big expense. Wm Henderson has over 35 years of experience serving homeowners in Delaware County and Mainline PA. We understand your concerns and we know that in the long run, we can keep your home systems running smoothly and keep your costs down.

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What to Do When Your Toilet Backs Up?

Posted on April 24, 2012

It’s never a pretty sight to find that what you wanted to flush away, decided instead to stay. A clogged toilet is frustrating and sometimes gross, but seldom is it a plumbing problem that requires more than a little elbow-grease and a quality plunger. Sure, there are tons of methods involving coat hangers, nasty store-bought chemicals, and other tools – and some of these may come in handy – but a good, old-fashioned plunger should be your first fix-it stop.

Naturally occurring clogs due to human waste combined with excessive amounts of toilet paper often just need a little push to pass past the opening where the end of the toilet meets the beginning of the drain. This a simple clog and shouldn’t take much effort. Here’s how it’s done:

Step 1: Remove Air from the Plunger

This is an important step that few people remember. Forgetting this step usually means that the person plunging will end up with wet shoes. Though it’s easy to forget, it’s also easy to do. When you place the plunger in the water, it will trap air in the rubber cup. Just tilt the plunger to one side while it is underwater to let the air out. This gives you a forceful stream of water that will head down the drain, rather than a blast of dirty bubbles that will do nothing but spill onto the floor.

Step 2: Make a Seal

An equally important step is to make sure that your plunger seals around the outlet drain of the toilet before you start to plunge. The goal is to force a stream of water down the outlet drain to push the waste and other blockages down the sewer line. Plumbers know that keeping this seal intact while plunging is the second key to keeping dry shoes and filthy water off floors.

Step 3: Plunge

Lastly, it’s time to plunge. Start out slowly to see if a gentle push is all that is needed. After a few gentle plunges, remove the plunger to see if the blockage has washed away. If not, slowly plunge harder and more vigorously. You will need to remove the plunger’s seal in order to see if the water will drain away. Every time you remove the seal, start over from step one to ensure you keep your shoes dry.

William Henderson and his plumbing team of experts have over 35 years of experience unclogging toilets for Pennsylvania homeowners. Although we are happy to see to any plumbing problems and clogs you might have, we recommend that homeowners always take this first step when their toilet backs up. If after attempting to plunge your toilet, it still does not drain properly, give us a call. We’re happy to help get your toilet flowing again.

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The Benefits of Tankless Hot Water Heaters

Posted on April 24, 2012

It’s a classic problem in homes with large families (and small water heaters). It’s a source of constant agitation in the morning and a long running gag in sitcoms since television began: running out of hot water for the shower. In fact, it’s such a normal occurrence that most of us don’t even think think twice when it happens. Sure, we might get a little bit miffed, we might grumble about it, but we think of it as just the way things are. And the truth is, it used to be. But, William Henderson plumbing knows that with new advances in technology no home has to run out of hot water ever again.

Tankless hot water heaters have been on the market for years now, but, as with all technology, the systems started out expensive and didn’t have the best efficiency. Now, however, after years of trial and error and new developments, the kinks of tankless water heaters have been worked out. The methods of installation and use have been standardized and the benefits are clear:

1. Limitless Capacity: Since the water is heated as needed, you never have to worry about running out of hot water again.
2. Keep It Hot: In a conventional water heating system, you are paying to keep the water hot all day long until it is needed, costing a great deal of money. Tankless water heaters heat the water when you need it, and only when you need it. This saves money in heating costs.
3. Wear and Tear: A conventional water heater is constantly running to keep the water inside it ready for use. When the tank is drained of water, the heating system has to work overtime to get the water back up to temperature. These drastic on-off cycles bring a great deal of wear and tear on a conventional system. Tankless water heaters don’t store water and are set up to heat water instantly, with fewer moving parts and less that can go wrong.
4. Space: Conventional water heaters take up a great deal of space. Tankless water heaters don’t.

The Wm. Henderson technicians understand a great deal of conventional water heating systems. We have 35 years of dealing with old, sediment laden, rusting tanks shoved into the corners of basements. We know that even though they are ineffective, they are still the most used type of system. But, if you’re looking for a new way to heat the water in your home, give us a call and let us show you the benefits of a tankless water heating system. You won’t be sorry.

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Has Your Water Heater Been Inspected Lately?

Posted on April 13, 2012

It’s no fun waking up on any given day of the week only to find out that you don’t have hot water. The water heater in your home may be one of the hardest working systems you have. Unlike your heating system or air conditioner, which runs seasonally, a water heater runs year round. In a big family with multiple showers per day, a dishwasher, a washing machine for clothes, and so forth, this can add up to be a heavy burden. Wm. Henderson Plumbing knows that preventative inspections are less costly than repairs and a lot less stressful. So you need to ask yourself: Has you water heater been inspected lately?

A thorough water inspection isn’t that difficult and doesn’t take that much time. This type of maintenance should be done at least once a year. Twice a year is better.

The first step is to turn the power off to the water heater. After you are sure it is no longer on, you will want to drain the water out of the drum completely. Look at the water, it should be clear, but may have sediment that looks like fine sand. These are minerals that get ‘cooked’ out of the water. The more you find in your tank, the more often you should perform this maintenance.

The next step is to check around the pressure-relief valve for rust or other signs of corrosion. If your water heater is in the garage or in the basement you can usually see a stain in the concrete that will indicate the water heater has been leaking. If you find corrosion around the valve you will want to have it replaced. The same goes for the drain valve. If this valve breaks with a full tank it will create a huge mess.

If you have an electric water heater you will want to make sure to remove and inspect the heating elements to ensure that they are clean and clear of debris. Corroded heating elements cause you to use more electricity to heat your water and this cost you more money. For a gas water heater check to make sure the fittings and connections are secure.

Finally, use thermometer to check that the temperature of your water is accurate to the setting on your water heater. Water temperatures that are different than your settings may indicate that a larger problem is present and may require the help of a professional.

Gas and electric water heaters are simple appliances that provide an invaluable service to us. With over 30 years of experience serving Pennsylvania homeowners, William Henderson, Inc. knows the value in keeping yours running smoothly. If you have questions about the condition of your water heater, give us a call. We would love to help.

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How to Prevent Sewer Line Failures?

Posted on March 16, 2012

Residential plumbing systems are a complicated series of fresh water pipes linked to plumbing fixtures to deliver water to the home. Water that is not captured by the user is directed to a drain, linked to a sewer and whisked away from the home to the local sewage treatment plant. The process is simple and the system is strong, typically made of steel and other durable materials. But, William Henderson Plumbing and Heating knows that sewer lines are open to all kinds of problems if not properly cared for.

The main problem with most sewer lines begins with the invasion of tree roots. Tree roots search out water and are very strong. If a tree senses water nearby it will drive its roots through the ground and look for failures in the sewer line. In the case of a clay line, a tree root can squeeze through even the smallest crack and from there make the crack larger. Step one in keeping your sewer problem free is to keep trees away from where your sewer runs underground. Without any trees, there will be no roots to cause problems.

Inside the sewer it is important to flush only appropriate materials down the drain. This includes water,   human waste and small bits of toilet paper – which is created specifically for sewer systems. Even the food coming out of garbage disposals can cause problems at times. The key is to not stuff items, like grease or large chunks of food and paper products other than toilet paper, down your sewer system. These items can clog your sewer and cause big problems down the line.

Your sewer system is strong, but it is not invincible. If it breaks, it will be difficult and expensive to fix, because it lays underground. The good news, however, is that taking a few simple precautions can save you a lot of time and money. If you do find yourself with sewer problems, let William Henderson plumbers come to the rescue. We have over 35 years of experience with sewer line problems and we can get you up and running in no time.

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How Trenchless Sewer Maintenance Works

Posted on March 7, 2012

The hardest-working part of your plumbing system is underground and it is also the hardest to repair or replace. Until recently, repair or replacement meant hiring excavators to dig a trench through your yard that followed the path of the sewer line until the broken or compromised section of pipe was discovered and repaired. Then the trench was filled in and what was left was a scar across your lawn and a hefty bill.

With over 30 years of diagnosing, repairing and replacing sewer lines, William Henderson Plumbing and Heating understands the pain that trenching causes homeowners. However, new innovations in sewer line repair technology have given homeowners a trenchless option. This provides a less intrusive, more affordable way to repair and replace old sewer lines.

The trenchless system starts with a camera scope pushed down your sewer line. The camera can determine where the break in your line exists. This allows the contractor to dig two holes: One hole on either side of the break. These two small holes replace the gigantic trench that used to be the norm in sewer replacement.

With the access holes dug, a machine then pushes through the section of pipe to be repaired. While it moves forward it breaks the old pipe, it simultaneously pulls a new pipe along behind it. The new pipe is made of treated plastic designed to last far longer than traditional metal and clay sewer lines. In addition, the trenchless machine is strong enough to install a sewer line larger than the one that previously existed. This is handy in situations where the home has had increased sewer usage and needs an upgrade to services.

William Henderson plumbers know from experience the importance of doing a job quickly and efficiently. They understand that fixing plumbing problems also means disturbing as little of your home as possible. That is why our plumbers take the time to keep up on new technologies like trenchless sewer maintenance. Ask us about the trenchless method next time your sewer acts up.

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The Case for Water Filtration Systems

Posted on February 27, 2012

More valuable than gold and oil, clean water is quickly becoming the commodity of choice with investors throughout the United States and around the world. This is because urban living and pollution are quickly contaminating the sources of drinking water that we rely on. Municipal governments work hard to kill bacteria and other dangerous pollutants with the use of chlorine, but this can make drinking water smell bad and taste even worse. Furthermore, if not enough chlorine is used, the water can still be harmful, especially to children. This is why William Henderson, Inc. suggests using a water filtration system for your domestic drinking water.

There are many types of water filtration systems you can use to ensure that the water coming out of your faucet is drinkable. Most kinds of filtration systems involve a series of filters or screens that strain out containments. Some filtration systems also use activated charcoal, which strips the water of solid pollutants and removes nasty odors or taste (such as chlorine). Reverse osmosis is one of these types of filtration systems and it is capable of removing up to 90 percent or more of the active contaminants in water.

Other types of filtration systems use ultraviolet light to kill bacteria. Ultraviolet radiation is now a common treatment for water. Special lamps that emit a certain level of light have germicidal effects. In much the same way high doses of radiation are bad for humans, low levels of radiation can kill small bacteria that live in municipal water systems.

There is a lot to consider when thinking about putting a water filtration system in your home. Let William Henderson Plumbing guide you. We can help you find the right system to keep you drinking clean, fresh water all year round, despite the quality of the water in your town.

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How Tree Root Growth Can Damage Sewer Lines?

Posted on February 20, 2012

Your sewer lines are as important to the health of your home as the lines that supply your water. Lying deep underground, your sewer main and smaller branches take a lot of abuse from the earth. Small shifts in the ground can stress sewer drains, non-biodegradable materials flushed down the toilet can clog drains from the inside, and harmful chemicals can deteriorate the integrity of your system. But Wm. Henderson knows that nothing is more damaging to a sewer line than a tree root searching for a source of water.

The good news is that tree roots don’t have the ability to break into water supply lines. Water supply lines are typically made of cast iron or PVC pipe, which are bolted together and nearly impenetrable. Any tree looking for a decent source of water will search elsewhere rather than work to get into a water supply line. However, many sewer lines that run from your home to the city street (the portion of the sewer that you are financially responsible for) are made of clay, especially older lines. Short, but common shifts in the ground can sometimes cause these clay pipes to fracture. Additionally, newer pipes can also be invaded by tree roots if a crack has already occurred. Fractures in any pipe allow an errant root to enter the line, feed on the water, and grow, creating clogs and larger cracks.

Once a tree root gets into a sewer line, it can be a very expensive, perhaps one of the most costly plumbing repairs a homeowner can have. That is why it is important to take the steps necessary to prevent trees from getting into your sewer line in the first place. To do that, make sure you know where your sewer line is and don’t plant any trees or vegetation with deep roots within 15 feet of the line. If you don’t already have one, install a sewer clean-out. Lastly, never put food scraps or grease down your drain. If using a garbage disposal to break up food scraps, ensure that the food scraps are washed through with ample water to prevent clogs. Grease and other foreign materials will clog your line very quickly.

If you do find yourself with a clogged sewer line, don’t panic. Call Wm. Henderson Plumbing. We have over 35 years of experience with sewer lines and tree roots. Not only can we fix your sewer line problems, but we can make suggestions to ensure that they don’t happen again.

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Do You Know the Age of Your Sewer Lines?

Posted on February 20, 2012

Most people don’t spend any time dwelling on what happens after they flush the toilet—and that’s fine until something goes wrong. That’s when you need to know as much as you can about the inner workings of your home. Over the last 35 years, William Henderson Plumbing has helped many Pennsylvania homeowners learn about the plumbing systems that run underneath and around their home. And one of the first questions we will ask when we visit your home is, “Do you know how old your sewer lines are?”

It’s a question that not too many people can answer, but it’s important to know once a problem arises. Over the last 100 years, sewer pipes have been made out of three distinct materials. Very old homes have sewer lines constructed of hard clay. This provided a nice smooth sewer line, but was brittle. Because the earth is constantly shifting and moving (even if you don’t feel it) these clay lines can become damaged. Damaged sewer lines invite tree roots and tree roots cause expensive clogs.

Homes that are between 30-50 years old usually have cast iron sewer lines. Cast iron is much more resilient to the shifting of the earth, but these lines still had their weaknesses. Older cast iron lines used a connection system that would fail over time and the entire system was subject to rust. A leak or weakness in a cast iron line will invite roots that eventually lead to expensive plumbing costs.

Modern sewer lines are typically made of pressure-treated PVC pipe that can withstand the pressures caused by the shifting of the ground and they are also impervious to rust. The joints of PVC pipe are also constructed to keep out roots and resist breaking and leaking. A well installed PVC pipe can last well over a hundred years in most conditions.

Smart homeowners take the time to understand the systems that make their home run well. If you want a professional to come and let you know what you have hidden in the walls and underground then call William Henderson Inc. We’ll take an in-depth survey of your home, inside and out and let you know what needs to be done to keep your home operating smoothly.

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