woman and grandson washing hands at kitchen sink

Are you tired of wasting so much water every day and watching your water bill rise?

If you’re struggling to conserve more water and lower your costs, there are some water conversation tips for homeowners that can help.

Learn how to empower yourself to stay on top of your water usage without the stress. Here’s how to get started!

Fix Leaks Promptly

Leaky faucets can quickly cause water bills to skyrocket. According to the EPA, the average household’s leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year, which is roughly the amount of water needed to wash 270 loads of laundry. Stay on top of leaks by making it part of your weekly or monthly schedule to check your plumbing for leaks, including faucets, shower heads, toilets, and pipes. Over time, even a small drip can waste a significant amount of water.

Schedule Professional Drain Cleaning

Clogged drains are often the sign of a deeper problem, like something lurking in your drains and sewer. The team at Reid & Pederson Drainage knows clogs can make life difficult and cause stress, as well as cost homeowners. Clogged sinks, toilets, and showers cause wastewater to leak into the floor instead of draining, which can all cause an overconsumption of water. Call us today for professional drain cleaning to get on top of your clogs and sewer issues!

Switch to Water-Efficient Fixtures

Just like you can switch to energy-efficient appliances, you can also replace old toilets with high-efficiency models that use less water per flush. Try installing low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators to reduce your water consumption without compromising on the water pressure you want.

Rethink How You Use Your Appliances

Beyond making the switch to more water-efficient resources, you can also make significant changes simply by rethinking how you use your appliances. Start by only running your dishwasher and washing machine with full loads to maximize the efficiency of water use per cycle.

Practice Water-Saving Habits

water draining down sink

Exercising more mindfulness with water consumption also reduces how much you use. Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving easily saves gallons of water every day. Taking shorter showers or setting a timer can also keep you from using too much water in a single use. Even small steps, such as dumping your water bottle at the end of the day in your plants or garden, all trim down how much water you need to run your home.

Reuse Your Rainwater

If you have a lawn or garden that needs regular watering, you don’t necessarily need to get out the hose. Instead, try installing rain barrels to collect rainwater from your downspouts. You can reuse it for your outdoor needs or even wash your car with it.

Maximize Your Sprinklers

Have you checked on your sprinklers lately? Make sure they’re properly adjusted to avoid watering sidewalks, driveways, and areas that don’t need it. There are also smart irrigation controls on the market that will adjust your watering based on what’s going on with the weather and soil moisture.

Add More Mulch to Your Garden Beds

When the warm weather sets in, it’s easy to over-water your garden beds to keep your fruits, veggies, and plants thriving. Instead of using so much water, you can apply mulch around your plants to retain more soil moisture and reduce your water consumption.

Save Water and Resources with Reid & Pederson

There are always ways to save more water and lower your bills by using your water more deliberately and using cost-saving technology. You can also optimize your water usage with professional drain and sewage cleaning. Call the team at Red & Pederson Drainage today! We’ll get your drains cleaned and break down stubborn clogs to help keep your water running smoothly.

South Suburbs
NW Indiana
water draining down sink

If you’re looking to infuse more eco-consciousness into your day, there’s more to do than adjust your HVAC system and watch your energy consumption. You can also focus on getting your drains clean and fresh with an eco-friendly approach!

Here’s a look at some of the best tips, strategies, and services (courtesy of our Crete drain and sewer experts!) to get your drains in good working order without harmful chemicals and negative environmental impact.

The Downside of Chemical Drain Cleaners

Chemical drain cleaners can be effective but they come at a steep cost to your plumbing, drainage system and the environment. These corrosive drain cleaners are considered a hazardous substance and can poison you and your family, not to mention pets, water systems, lakes, and everything they touch. It’s estimated that around 3,00 injuries per year are related to drain cleaners and one-third of these are related to cutaneous burns. Using these products is not worth the risk!

Understanding Your Drainage System

There are a few types of drainage systems on the market. In most cases, your home’s drainage system works with the help of gravity and a slight downward slope of pipes to carry wastewater away from your home, through your pipes, and into the sewer. The waste eventually flows to a sewage treatment facility or a septic tank.

Drains may seem like they work effortlessly where everything washes away, but they need regular cleaning and maintenance to avoid clogs. When too much grease goes down your pipes, it can stick to the walls of your pipes and develop stubborn clogs. Other materials, such as food waste, hair, foreign objects, and debris, can also cause clogs. Once a clog starts, everything that goes down your pipe can get caught in it and create a larger blockage.

Over time, clogs can damage your pipes or cause leaks and break-downs. It’s also not uncommon for clogs to form deeper in your sewer lines and cause a backup of dangerous wastewater that suddenly appears in your sinks, showers, and bathtubs. At this point, you have a full-blown drain emergency that needs immediate attention.

Even without wastewater buildup, drains can develop bacteria and viruses and need to be addressed immediately. You’re not only risking the integrity of your plumbing, drainage and sewer systems, but also your and your family’s health.

Natural Alternatives to Chemical Cleaners

Fortunately, there are plenty of natural drain cleaners out there that cost almost nothing. Here are a few easy DIY drain cleaning solutions to get started:

  • Boiling water: Pouring a pot of boiling water down your drains periodically, especially after anything may have slipped down, can help break up new clogs.
  • Vinegar and baking soda: Mix equal parts vinegar and baking soda and pour it down your drain. Let it sit for about half an hour to an hour before pouring a pot of boiling water down the drain.
  • Baking soda and salt: Mix 1/2 cup table salt and 1/2 cup baking soda together and pour it down the drain. Let the solution sit for about 30-minutes and wash it away with a pot of boiling water.

For mild clogs, these all-natural drain cleaners can work as effectively as the harsh chemicals you may be used to. But for anything stubborn, you need a professional to unclog and clean your drains.

Preventative Measures for Drain Health

One of your best defenses against clogged drains is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Here are some tips to minimize your clogs and stay on top of blockages:

  • Use only chemical-free drain cleaning solutions
  • Buy a few inexpensive drain strainers
  • Dispose of cooking grease or oil in a jar and throw out when full
  • Avoid flushing unused medications, coffee grounds, or eggshells down drains or toilets
  • Remind your family and any guests not to let food and foreign objects go down drains

Exercising mindful drain disposal practices keeps you from compromising the integrity of your home’s plumbing. The goal is to only allow a small amount of intentional waste to go down your drains.

Regular Maintenance Practices

Drain maintenance is simple and a proactive approach to good home hygiene habits. Pour a hot pot of water down the drains and follow up with cold water. It’s also a good idea to combine your solution of one part boiling water with one part vinegar and baking soda. Both of these drain maintenance techniques can be used once a month, or after an especially heavy day of cooking and entertaining.

At Reid & Pederson Drainage, we also offer routine drain and sewer maintenance to help keep your drainage system in tip-top shape!

Professional Eco-Friendly Drainage Solutions

At some point, even the most proactive drain maintenance habits may require professional intervention. Habitually slow or clogged drains, odd odors and gurgling sounds are signs of drainage troubles.

Call our drain and sewage specialists at at Reid & Pederson Drainage anytime you’re dealing with standing water or your sewer is backing up. If something just seems off with your drains and you can’t pinpoint what it is, don’t leave it up to chance. Give us a call and we’ll get there as soon as we can to address the problem and get your home back in good working order.

Our team offers reliable sewer and drain cleaning that you can’t get in a bottle of harsh chemicals, including:

  • Sewer Rodding
  • Drain Rodding
  • Hydro Jetting
  • Precision Cleaning
  • Overhead Sewer and Drain Cleaning

All of our green drain and sewer practices rely on natural methods, such as breaking up clogs with rods or a concentrated stream of water and flushing clogs away. We also offer a ZipDrain service to clean and jet your overhead sewer without making a mess and get your lines running cleanly again.

Impact of Eco-Friendly Practices on Home and Environment

When you focus on environmentally friendly drain care and maintenance, you put less strain on your pipes. As harsh chemical cleaners are corrosive, they end up damaging your pipes and causing leaks. Beyond the health of your home and avoiding ingesting these chemicals yourself, switching to eco-friendly drain solutions means a cleaner environment. You’re no longer pouring harsh chemicals down the drain that end up in local waterways, streams, and in wildlife habitats.

Switching to eco-friendly drain cleaning is also an opportunity to look at the hygiene habits around your home. You can make natural cleaners with bakign soda, vinegar, and essential oils. For example, lavender and lemon oil are natural astringents and cleaners that don’t contain toxic chemicals like phthalates or chlorine beach. A little olive oil, vinegar, and essential oils can also kill bacteria while polishing up the shine of floors and wooden furniture.

Get Eco-Friendly Drain Cleaning from Reid & Pederson

Switching to an eco-friendly drain maintenance and tidying up your home doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. You can take a proactive approach by keeping drains clear of debris, grease, grime, egg shells and more to avoid problematic clogs.

But when you do experience clogs and slow drains, it’s important to call the team at Red & Pederson Drainage. We’ll get your drains cleaned and break down stubborn clogs to restore the health of your drainage system. Call us today!

South Suburbs
NW Indiana

Want to read more of our expert tips? Check out our blog!

christmas tree by a fire place

The holiday season is here, which means that gatherings with family and friends become the highlight of our calendars.

If you’re hosting any gatherings, you know that a lot of planning and preparation are needed to successfully pull it off. So while your guest list and meal may be all planned out, one uninvited guest you certainly don’t want showing up to the festivities is a sewer or drain backup.

Read on for five easy tips to prevent a holiday backup and keep things flowing all holiday season long.

1) Mindful Meal Cleanup

Turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce…the list of holiday foods on your dinner table is endless. Throw unfinished plates and meal prep scraps straight in the garbage can, not down your garbage disposal.

Items like potato peels or other starchy vegetables do not break down easily and cause havoc on the blades, while fibrous veggies like celery or rhubarb wrap around blades, causing them to not work as efficiently. Leftover bones spin around and do not go anywhere. And don’t even think about throwing that grease down there, as it can harden in your disposal and cause a major backup.

Holiday feasts bring delectable dishes, but proper disposal of food remnants is essential. Learn more about garbage disposals and your kitchen sink!

2) Efficient Disposal Operation

After disposing of food scraps, run the disposal for at least 20-30 seconds with a continuous flow of water. This ensures thorough clearing without overloading the disposal. It’s best not to pack the disposal first then turn it on as this causes the disposal to work harder than usual and oftentimes leads to clogs.

3) Smart Toilet Paper Choices

If you’re hosting the holiday, you know that extra guests in your home equals extra use of the facilities in your home. Although the plush, thick toilet paper is tempting, instead, choose a nice, mid-range thickness toilet paper to accommodate for all of those extra bathroom trips. This can save you from a possible backup – and your guests from possible embarrassment.

It’s also a good idea to use this kind of toilet paper year round, even when you aren’t hosting extra guests. Read another one of our blog posts to learn about other things you shouldn’t put down your drains!

4) Proactive Drain Checks

Prior to hosting guests, it’s a good idea to call in a professional to take a look at any slow drains in your home. The increased water usage and bathroom usage could become a minor or major catastrophe if not taken care of before your guests arrive.

5) Time Between Showers

Encourage a 15-minute interval between showers. This will help prevent hair clogs and the build up of soap residue, and will allow drains to clear efficiently. Doing this not only ensures there’s enough hot water for all guests, it also ensures that the shower drain is fully drained and cleared of all hair and soap residue from the previous user, so things don’t begin to build up and eventually cause a backup.

Help from the Drain & Sewer Pros!

Hosting a holiday party can be stressful, so give yourself one less thing to worry about by following our helpful tips. And if you do experience a backup or need sewer or drain cleaning? Give us a call! Our drain and sewer service pros are always ready to swing by and save the day!

South Suburbs
NW Indiana
Winter snow falling on an executive home

Winter in Illinois is a beautiful time of year, but the plummeting temperatures can wreak havoc on your outdoor drains and sewers. As the cold sets in, it’s crucial to prepare your drainage system to prevent blockages and backups that could cause headaches when you least expect them.

At Reid & Pederson Drainage, we understand the importance of winter sewer maintenance to keep your drains flowing smoothly throughout the season.

Read on to lean how to winterize your outdoor drains and sewers and if you have any questions, or need help, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Crete drain and sewer experts!

South Suburbs
NW Indiana

1. Clear Debris and Leaves

Before it gets too chilly outside, make sure that your outdoor drains are free of debris and fallen leaves. Accumulated debris can impede water flow and lead to clogs. Try using a rake or leaf blower to clear the area around the drains and help avoid blockages.

2. Inspect and Clean Gutters

Clogged gutters can cause water to overflow and accumulate near your drains, leading to potential issues. Make sure to clean your gutters regularly, but especially before the snow arrives, to prevent excess water flowing into your drains, ensuring they stay free and clear.

3. Protect Drainage Covers

Inspect and secure drainage covers to prevent debris from entering and causing blockages. Make sure they’re in place and intact so they can protect your drains from debris and other unwanted materials.

4. Disconnect and Store Hoses

Disconnect and store any garden hoses before the temperature drops. If you leave your hoses connected, it can lead to frozen water in the pipes, which can cause damage to both the hose and the connected outdoor faucet.

5. Insulate Outdoor Pipes

Consider insulating exposed outdoor pipes to prevent them from freezing. By using pipe insulation or heat tape to safeguard pipes against that harsh winter chill, you can help reduce the risk of blockages due to frozen pipes.

6. Schedule Professional Maintenance

For comprehensive winterization, consider scheduling professional drain and sewer maintenance with Reid & Pederson Drainage. Our experts can inspect your outdoor drains, identify potential issues, and provide tailored solutions to prevent winter-related drainage problems.

Get Help from Reid & Pederson!

Preparing your outdoor drains and sewers for winter is a proactive step to ensure a hassle-free season. By following these essential maintenance tips and seeking professional assistance when needed, you can safeguard your drainage system against blockages and backups during the colder months.

At Reid & Pederson Drainage, we’re committed to helping you in maintaining efficient drainage systems year-round. Contact us today for professional maintenance and winterization services to keep your drains flowing smoothly throughout the winter season!

South Suburbs
NW Indiana

Learn More About Drain & Sewer Maintenance in Crete & Beyond

Check out our blog posts below for some helpful info, expert tips and more!

cleaning gutters as part of sewer maintenance

The leaves are changing and the weather is becoming cooler, clear signals that the fall season is upon us.

While you may be busy enjoying fall festivals, pumpkins and apple cider, throw on a cozy sweatshirt and fuzzy slippers, and consider the following tips for keeping your sewer and drains in tip top shape during this colorful season.

You can also reach out to our Crete drain and sewer specialists with any questions you may have, or to schedule routine maintenance!

South Suburbs
NW Indiana

1. Clear Out Tree Roots

Tree roots are always a common issue with sewer lines. This is especially true if there are lots of trees or shrubbery on your property. Fall is a great time to do preventive maintenance on your sewer line to clear out roots that find a way into your sewer pipes. Fall is also the start of the busy holiday season, which usually means more visitors to your home. Ensuring your sewer is clear now by scheduling sewer rodding if you need it will ensure your sewer and drains can handle the additional use.

2. Clean Gutters & Downspouts

Fall means falling leaves. And sometimes, these leaves get stuck in the gutters and downspouts of your home. It’s a good idea to clean all gutters and downspouts in the fall, to ensure that rainwater can flow freely away from your home to avoid potential water damage. And cleaning them now will prevent you from having to clean them later on in the winter!

3. Check Your Sump & Ejector Pumps

If your home has a basement, it’s likely equipped with a sump pump and or an ejector pump. These pumps play a crucial role in managing groundwater and wastewater. Fall is a great time to check your sump and ejector pumps and their pits for clogs in the discharge lines. Test their operation by unplugging and then plugging them back in; if they activate, they’re functioning correctly. This simple check can save you from unexpected headaches during winter storms and snow melts.

4. Use Drain Traps

A simple year-round tip that’s pretty effective is the use of traps over frequently used drains, like bathtubs and bathroom sinks. These traps catch hair and debris that can easily lead to clogged pipes and forcing you to call in a professional for drain cleaning. With more visitors to your home during the holidays, this preventive measure is invaluable in keeping your drains flowing smoothly!

5. Get Your Sewers Rodded

One last tip to prepare your sewer for the fall season? If you haven’t already, and especially if your home is surrounded by lots of trees, have your sewer rodded to clear out roots and other debris that manages to find its way into your line. And with more visitors in your home during the holidays, a sewer rodding is a good idea to be sure things will flow smoothly all season long. 

Drain & Sewer Maintenance Help From the Pros

Prepare your home for the fall season by following these essential sewer and drain maintenance tips. With a little proactive care, you can enjoy the autumn festivities without worrying about unexpected drainage problems.

But no matter what kind of sewer or drain issue you’re experiencing, or what time of year it is, Reid & Pederson is always just a phone call away! We’ll get there quickly and solve your drain or sewer problem in no time.

We also have a sewer maintenance program that will help keep your system running smoothly all year long. Give us a call for more information or whenever you need help with your drains or sewers in Crete, IL or the surrounding area!

South Suburbs
NW Indiana

Learn More About Drain & Sewer Maintenance in Crete & Beyond

Check out our blog posts below for some helpful info, expert tips and more!

chemical drain cleaners

If you’re a homeowner, you’ve probably experienced a clogged drain at some point. Whether a bathtub, toilet, bathroom sink or kitchen sink, a clogged drain is an inconvenience that requires a quick fix.

Your first reaction is probably reaching for the drain cleaner under the sink or taking a quick trip to the store to purchase some.

But before you do that, consider the following facts about chemical drain cleaners and your pipes.

Have questions? Reach out to the Crete drain and sewer experts at Reid & Pederson!

South Suburbs
NW Indiana

How Drain Cleaner Chemicals Work

Chemical drain cleaners come in a variety of formats but all of them work the same way. What exactly happens when you pour them down the drain? In a nutshell, the chemicals interact with your clog, causing a chemical reaction that generates heat and sends your clog into oblivion. That’s a great thing when getting rid of that stubborn clog in your bath sink but it’s not-so-great for a number of other reasons.

How Chemical Drain Cleaners Can Be Dangerous

Corrosion

Chemical drain cleaners are just that – chemicals – and they’re manufactured to be strong enough to cut through any clog. So while eliminating clogs is a good thing, it’s not a good thing for your pipes, especially if they’re made of PVC or older metal. Why? While these caustic chemicals are eliminating your clog, at the same time, they’re also eating through your pipes, causing damage that eventually requires sewer line repair or replacement. 

Health Hazards

Since these types of cleaners consist of chemicals, they often create fumes that can cause breathing problems in humans. Additionally, the chemicals found in these products can cause burns to skin, face and eyes, not only to the consumer but to any technician who may be called to work on the clog.

Effectiveness

Chemical drain cleaners are not always effective in totally clearing clogged pipes. Many times, clogs are found further down the drain so the chemicals may not fully reach and penetrate the clog. And even when they do reach the clog, they generally only clear away the part of the clog found on the bottom of the pipe – the part of the pipe the chemicals actually touch. 

Environmental Impacts

Chemical cleaners usually contain acids like hydrochloric and sulfuric acids, oxidizers like sodium hypochlorite and caustics like lye, caustic soda or sodium hydroxide. When poured down the drain, it’s only a matter of time before these chemicals can end up in groundwater and water supplies.

How to Clean a Clogged Drain Without Chemicals

So what do you do if you’re dealing with a stubborn clog? Before you reach for those chemicals, consider a simple DIY remedy first. A simple mixture of vinegar and baking soda put down your drain and allowed to sit overnight could be enough to eliminate your clog.

However, since many clogs are often found further down the line, most times professional help is necessary.  

Help from Your Local Drain & Sewer Pros

If you’re experiencing a stubborn clog that will not go away, don’t reach for those chemical. Instead, give the Crete drain cleaning experts at Reid & Pederson a call and our knowledgeable technicians will clear your clog quickly!

South Suburbs
NW Indiana

Learn More About Drain Cleaning in Crete

Check out more of our blog posts below for some helpful info, expert tips & more!

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