1. What are the factors that can cause backups?

One factor is buildup such as soap residue, garbage disposal waste, hair, and grease. Buildup leads to unwanted backups, but can be the easiest to correct and control.

A second factor which can contribute to backups is the age and/or condition of your drain lines. The oldest pipes were made of terra cotta or clay and usually came 2 feet in length. Because an average line had many joints, the rate of failure increases due to poor grouting, root infiltration or pipe degradation.

Next, orangeburg pipe was introduced as a new concept in pipe manufacturing. Made of many layers of tar paper, the interior of this type of pipe tends to fail when the inner most layer bubbles and/or deforms from outside pressures such as rocks or bracing.

Then, cast iron was introduced as strong and more durable pipe. The biggest problem with cast iron is rusting from the inside causing restriction. Today, plastic pipe is commonly used proving itself to be very reliable when installed properly.

Proper installation of your pipes is imperative to keep them free flowing. Improper bedding of drain lines can cause settlement resulting in improper slopes or dips, sunken joints, root infiltration or breaks. The result of these problems is improper flow and buildup.

2. How can I tell if my lines are flowing properly?

You may experience few or NO warning signals prior to your lines actually backing up. Although each situation may differ for each household, you may notice a slowing of the lines or drains prior to a complete blockage. Often you will hear gurgling or bubbling sounds in the lines, or you may smell an odor emanating from your drains. If you experience any of these warning signs, first call us to have a maintenance technician come out and verify that the Borough's sewer main is clear and flowing freely. If it is clogged, we will take care of the problem and notify you when it is fixed. However, if the sewer main is clear and flowing freely, our technician will inform you, and you will need to call a private plumbing contractor to troubleshoot your service lateral or drain line problem. They have several resources to diagnose and fix your problem.

3. I just had a back up problem last year. Why did the line back up again?

You may have defects in your plumbing lines. If you have a chronic problem with a particular drain line, you may need to repair or replace the problem line. A plumbing service technician can help you determine where the problem lies. They can provide a Television Camera Inspection Service and Line Locating Service to save you time and money over conventional excavation methods. Using a camera and locating equipment, they can look for isolated problems, check the condition of the entire line, and provide an estimate to correct the problem.

4. What is involved in removing roots from my line?

Roots can cause back ups in most types of pipe. Commonly, small fibrous roots can infiltrate any joint or crack in your pipe and grow thick enough to clog a line. The best solution is to cut the roots out using cutters or blades and then treat the line with a foaming root killer or a non-systemic chemical with the active ingredient Dichlobenil that retards any further root growth for up to one year. If you choose not to treat the line with a root killer, the roots will grow in thicker and heavier causing another blockage before long. In time, root growth will ultimately destroy the integrity of pipe leading to pipeline replacement.

5. Since my home is hooked to Borough Sewer. Shouldn't the Borough maintain my line?

The Borough will not assume the responsibility of your home or rental property's sewer lines. As a homeowner, you are responsible for your home's wastewater lines up to the connection to the main line and may include the connection itself. They are only responsible for the main public line. Contact the Utility Operations/Maintenance Department for more information 948-3055.

6. What can I do to reduce the risk of my lines backing up?

A few simple practices can help to alleviate problems:

• Use a lighter weight toilet paper
• Make sure there are baskets or screens on every drain.
• When using your garbage disposal, make sure you run plenty of water and have the blades sharpened often.
• Heavy grease should be disposed of in your residential trash.
• Use liquid soaps. Powdered soaps are made with wax that can leave behind a residue.
• Do not flush feminine products, baby wipes or paper towels down the toilet.
• Make sure all outside drain caps are fitted & secured properly. Clean area drains frequently.

7. I am thinking about purchasing a property in Middletown. Does the former owner need to furnish any information on previous problems or history of maintenance. How can I find out?

A plumber can locate and inspect drain lines for defects and answer questions such as: Is it a shared line with a neighbor? Is there any evidence of root infiltration? Is the line excessively dirty? Is there any evidence of pipe deterioration? In addition, a Borough required sewer inspection will check a number of issues prior to property transfer; including making sure sump pumps, roof downspouts, and foundation drains are not directly connected to the sanitary sewer system; checking to see if valves are in place that can be closed off before storms; checking to make sure the lateral serves only one property and that the flow to the street is not impeded in any fashion. A video camera will look for illegal connections, broken pipes, and damaged joints that allow groundwater or rainwater to enter the sanitary sewer system.

Sewer inspections are public information and previous results can be obtained by contacting the Code Enforcement Office at 948-3050.