During the winter months, frozen pipes cause a number of enormous issues for homeowners all over the country, and here in Illinois and northern Indiana, we are no exception. While the winter months are a great time of year for lighting up the fireplace, throwing on a blanket, and getting comfortable on the couch, having a frozen pipe burst can quickly dispel any merry or relaxed feelings that you might have had quite quickly.

No matter how well you prepare your home before the winter hits, nature can be unpredictable at times, and can render any preparation work you might have done meaningless in no time at all. Here at Reid & Pederson Drainage, we want to make sure that our customers are prepared for any eventuality that might arise with their sewer and drainage system, and that includes preparing for the possibility that you could be on the receiving end of a burst pipe in the next couple months.

To aid you in this, our team of professionals have taken the time to put together this short list detailing several important steps that you need to take if that unfortunate situation were to become a reality this winter season. Give us a call or read on to find out what you can do to keep damage to a minimum if you have to deal with a burst frozen pipe this winter!

Read on to learn more about drainage problems or reach out to the Crete sewer and drainage experts at Reid & Pederson today!

1) Shut Off The Water Supply Immediately

Whenever you have a pipe freeze and burst around your home during the winter, first and foremost, the most important thing you can do is to identify where the leak is at and shut off the corresponding control valve to keep the amount of water coming into your home at a minimum. The easiest way to locate the damaged pipe is to trace the water back to the pipe in question, and follow it until you find a section of the pipe that is either obviously burst or has bubbled out in any spots or developed fissures. Sometimes the pipe might have water spraying out, which makes identification much easier, but sometimes there might just be a trickle depending on which pipe it was that burst. If your main water line ruptures, you are likely going to need to shut off the water supply to the entire house until repairs can be made.

2) Place A Temporary Fix

If the burst pipe in question is a smaller pipe, like something that would be for your sink, toilet, or bathtub, you might be able to apply a temporary fix to the pipe in the form of a pipe patch or pipe clamp. These are generally a rubber sleeve that is secured around the damage section of pipe, a waterproof adhesive solution, or a clamp with a tightening mechanism. While this won’t be something that you will be able to leave in place for a great deal of time, a temporary fix like this will keep damage from getting worse while you schedule service with a professional.

3) Get Professional Help

Once you have the leak under control, the next thing you need to do is pick up the phone and make the call to a professional who can help you repair the issues in earnest. A burst pipe isn’t something you want to take chances with, as the amount of damage this can cause throughout your home in a very short amount of time is quite staggering. The faster you can get a professional on hand to help you repair the issue, the less chance there is of your home suffering catastrophic damage.

Need help with your sewer or drains this winter? Reach out to the pros at Reid & Pederson Drainage!

The market for disposable wipes in the U.S. is an over $2 billion market, and is poised to reach beyond $3 billion by 2023. With the current global pandemic of coronavirus making its way to the U.S., Americans have been buying toilet paper faster than it can be produced. Because of the shortage of toilet paper, many Americans have turned to flushable wipes to take care of their bathroom needs. And that’s fine, however, there are some important things about these flushable wipes you should remember.

Disposable wet wipes run the gamut – baby wipes, hygienic wipes, cleaning wipes, the list goes on. There is quite a debate on whether or not wipes labeled as “flushable” are truly flushable. Here at Reid & Pederson, we believe that the only things that should be flushed down your toilet are the 3 P’s (we hope we don’t have to spell them out for you!). Let’s break things down and find out exactly what most wet wipes are really made of.

What Are Wipes Made Of?

Baby wipes, hygienic wipes for personal use and cleaning wipes usually consist of non-woven fabric such as cotton or rayon. Using a method where a single sheet of material is cut from a mass of separate fibers, these wipes also contain polyester, polypropylene and/or wood pulp. These microscopic pieces of plastic and wood and their insolubility make it very difficult for wipes of these types to break down in your sewer or septic system…no matter what you’re told. That’s why you should never, ever flush them and instead, throw them in the trash. 

Although there are a number of products on the market today that are marketed as being flushable, it’s good knowing what they are made of before flushing them. Most flushable wipes claim to be made of biodegradable tree or plant-based fibers that break down faster. While this may be true, it’s important to understand two things regarding “flushable” wipes. 

What Does “Flushable” Even Mean?

First, manufacturers of these wipes are not required to prove flushability of their products. There are no restrictions or regulations put in place today on how these wipes can be marketed and labeled. There’s essentially nothing stopping them from labeling their products however they wish.

Secondly, the tests performed by manufacturers to show the solubility of their products aren’t usually performed under the same conditions as a gently flowing sewer. Manufacturers often perform these tests while putting the wipes under immense pressure and with vigorous shaking and agitation, creating a scenario that shows the wipe breaking down quickly but not under true sewer and septic conditions. These tests are not true “apples-to-apples” comparisons. 

In fact, only about 8% of all disposable wipes that are marketed as “flushable” by manufacturers, are actually flushable. A 2013 test conducted by Consumer Reports tested four of the most popular flushable wipe brands versus toilet paper. After ten minutes, the toilet paper was completely dissolved but the wipes remained intact. Ten more minutes and being agitated in a mixer, the wipes still weren’t breaking down. After twelve hours, only two brands of the wipes started to show signs of breaking down. Imagine what all of these wipes are doing to your sewer line! Eventually they create a large blockage and cause a backup and lots of headaches for you.

Fatbergs & Clogged Sewers

Accumulation of baby wipes in a sewer line, coupled with grease, feminine hygiene products, paper towels and other debris can lead to fatbergs, huge masses of solid waste made up of these items. And while the name may sound funny, they’re anything but. Not only are fatbergs unhygienic, but they’re expensive to fix and extremely gross. If you’re so inclined, learn about the giant fatberg found in London in 2017, weighing as much as ELEVEN double-decker London buses!

We’re Here to Help with Your Sewer & Drain Problems!

The bottom line? We see a LOT of wipes when rodding sewers! Although annual preventive sewer maintenance is always your best bet, flushing wipes down your toilet will certainly mean we will be seeing you more than once a year! And remember – for any clogs or backups you’re experiencing, Reid & Pederson is here to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – no matter the cause. Give us a call today!