Your “Sanitary Sewer Line” is the sewer line that connects your home to the public sewer system. Wastewater from your toilets, sinks, showers, and washing machine travels through your sanitary sewer line to the public sewer main line which carries it to the nearest wastewater plant for treatment. If your sanitary sewer line is broken or leaking, raw sewage could be seeping into the groundwater. Groundwater passes to your neighbors’ yards, to creeks, to streams, into Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean.

Blockages are most often caused by excessive buildups of grease (a result of pouring cooking grease and fat down the kitchen sink). When flushed, plastic and other non-soluble materials such as baby wipes, diapers, feminine products, and kitty litter can also get caught in the line and block the flow of wastewater through the system. Tree and shrub roots that have grown into the line are also a common problem. Sanitary sewer lines installed prior to 1980 in Nassau and Suffolk Counties are primarily made of cast iron or clay and can deteriorate or become brittle over time. Roots seek water and will find their way through cracks and holes causing blockages and further damage. Unfortunately, contractors can also cause damage to sewer lines due to inexperience and improper tool usage.

Call ClearRiver Environmental to have your sanitary sewer line inspected. A video inspection camera will be fed through your line so you can view the condition of the line; then your line will be cleaned and cleared of any blockages and repairs made if necessary. This helps ClearRiver provide you with the most cost-efficient way to repair your line. ClearRiver is Long Island’s largest and most trusted sewer and drain cleaning company, and for good reason; all work is performed by experienced and Licensed ClearRiver Plumbers.

Wastewater flows from your Residence into the septic tank or main cesspool. The organic liquid waste floats at the top and the solid waste and inorganic sludge falls to the bottom. The natural bacteria generated inside the system converts the floating waste into sludge and liquid. The liquid between the “floating solids” and the “sludge” layers flows into the leaching secondary tank where it drains through the sides and bottom in a cesspool or flows out to the septic field in a septic system.

When a septic tank/main cesspool is not properly maintained, solids will build up within the septic tank/main cesspool and eventually push through and into the leaching cesspool(s). This clogs the sand bottoms and can permanently destroy the drainage. Detergents, toilet cleaners, bleach, anti-bacterial soaps, and disinfectants can kill the natural bacteria in the septic system. It is essential to keep the bacteria levels in your system well balanced for optimum performance.

If ClearRiver has determined that the cesspool system is full or requires service, we may elect pumping, aeration and drainage additives as in sulfuric acid to help restore drainage.

Yes, absolutely. Nobody likes emergencies. Often times this can be more costly for both you and the drain cleaning contractor than just simply being proactive. Annual drain cleaning for homeowners is one of the best ways to maintain healthy home plumbing and prevent clogs in the future, even if your drains haven’t shown any signs of a clog. If your home is more than 30 years old or clogs occur tend to occur more frequently, we strongly recommend scheduling preventative maintenance. You should also call for drain cleaning when moving into a new house. For commercial properties, especially restaurants, laundromats, and other businesses that operate their plumbing on a constant basis. Call us to schedule your monthly or quarterly drain cleaning or grease trap cleaning in Nassau County, NY!

No, no, no! No professional drain cleaning company, or plumber, recommends using store-bought 'drain cleaners' and this is NOT because we want your business. It’s because these are not very effective methods and, oftentimes, can cause more damage than good. We understand it can be tempting to buy these store-bought drain cleaners, but trust us when we tell you they are just a “quick fix” and you’re really not fixing your problem. Call our office today to schedule a drain or grease trap cleaning Nassau County, NY has relied on for years!

A sewer line video inspection is the use of a waterproof camera that is professionally scoped down and through the sewer lines and other underground pipes to search for plumbing problems such as clogs, deteriorated pipes, or any other obstruction. A sewer line camera inspection can find, diagnose and pinpoint exactly what and where the issue is and correct the problem in the fastest and most efficient manner possible. Most experts advise you to schedule an inspection if your home is more than 30 or 40 years old. This is due to the fact that older homes often have aging, clay-fired pipes that are vulnerable to root intrusion, but even newer homes may be connected to an older sewer line. Whenever moving into a new home, always schedule a sewer line inspection prior to purchasing the home. This could save you money down the road and prevent problems in the near future. Of course, there are emergency situations that nobody likes to be in, but sometimes require the use of a sewer video inspection. If you find yourself in need of cesspool cleaning in Nassau County, NY then give our office a call today.

Unfortunately, your homeowner’s insurance probably does not cover sewer repairs or cesspool pumping. Regardless of the fact that a sewer backup or leak can happen in an instant, it’s oftentimes the result of natural wear and tear that took many years to happen. Some insurance companies do provide coverage for you in the event of a sewer repair/replacement; however, most do not. We have been relied upon for cesspool pumping in Nassau County, NY for years and are ready to help.

According to the United States EPA, “The average household septic system should be inspected at least every 3 years by a septic service professional. Household septic tanks are typically pumped every 3 to 5 years. Alternative systems with electrical float switches, pumps or mechanical components should be inspected more often, generally once a year. A service contract is important since alternative systems have mechanized parts.” Remember, not all cesspools, septic systems, households, or businesses are created equal! Factors such as household size, septic tank size, the volume of solids in wastewater, and the total wastewater generated influence the frequency of septic pumping in a major way. For example, a couple living in a single-family home who both go to work during the day and flush only toilet paper and nothing else is probably going to have a less frequent amount of pumping than a family of five who is home most of the day and flush the toilets much more often.

We’re so glad you asked! Grease traps are very messy and the last thing you want as a business owner is to shut your doors to take care of any emergency situations. To avoid this, there are actually a lot of things you can and absolutely should do: Educate your employees on how to properly handle grease and food waste. Scrape food off of plates into the trash before rinsing to avoid washing the waste into your grease trap. Also, use drain covers in the sinks to capture debris and never pour grease down the drain. The grease trap should be periodically examined for wear or damage. The gasket sealing the grease trap lid may need to be replaced if you notice any smells coming from the trap itself. Have your grease trap serviced regularly by a professional and knowledgeable service technician like us. We do this every single day! Our grease trap cleaning is preventative maintenance that will help you avoid any costly backups or overflows. During this service, we can also inform you of any visible damage needing repair or attention. We can’t stress enough how important this is to your business. If a customer walking into your establishment gets a whiff of this unpleasant odor, there’s a good chance they’ll walk right back out.

Yes it is very important to have the contents of your septic tank emptied out (pumped), to remove floating scum and sludge that accumulate. If either floating scum or sludge is allowed to enter the soil treatment system (cesspool) it will cause expensive and often irreparable damage. Never go more than 36 months between cleanings!! Cleaning, or "pumping" as it's often called, must be done by a licensed and bonded professional. Proper cleaning will remove ALL scum, sludge, and liquid from the septic tank(s). This requires pumping, flushing, and back flushing liquid contents back and forth between the truck's tank and the septic tank through the manhole several times. This process breaks up all scum and sludge in the tank, allowing all solids to be removed. Depending on your service provider, they may land apply it after a treatment with lime, inject it in to the soil with a special attachment for doing that or some use a municipal wastewater treatment plant.

The following are things that are proven to aid in prolonging system life By having proper Maintenance preformed on the septic tank. Not overloading the system with water, it was designed to only handle so many gallons per day. i.e. spread wash out through the week. DO NOT add any thing to the system that you normal would not put down the drains or in the toilet. DO NOT use septic tank additives, they do more harm then good. DO NOT flush sanitary napkins, diapers, paper towels, coffee grounds or cigarette butts.

Check Records. Many counties and cities with permit and inspection programs for septic systems will have this information on file. Locate the septic tank. If the access manhole or inspection pipes are at ground level, they will be easy to find. Unfortunately, they are often buried several inches, or even several feet, below the ground surface. To locate the tank, go into the basement and determine the direction the sewer pipe goes out through the wall or floor. determine the direction it leaves the house. With a metal rod as a probe, start poking around in the soil 10 to 15 feet from the foundation of the house in the same direction as the pipe was headed in the basement. A metal detector may be of assistance in finding the tank since most concrete septic tanks contain metal reinforcing rods. Locate the cesspool. Try looking around the yard in the general direction where the sewer pipe left the house for an area where the grass grows differently. These clues may help locate the cesspool: An area where the grass isn’t growing well, or where the grass is greener or grows faster. An area where there is a slight depression or mound. An area where the soil is soggy when the rest of the yard is dry. Or Else a licensed contractor or inspector has tools to locate the tank. Once the system components; have been; located, be sure to make a map of there location.

The ODOR is caused from the gases involved in the decay (Bacterial process of the waste Sewage surfacing in yard -- Have tank pumped and reduce water usage. If problem persists, contact a Professional for assessment of problem. Inspection pipe caps damaged or removed -- Replace damaged caps Vent on house not high enough to properly diffuse to odor -- Increase the height of vent line. Diagnosing the specific causes may be difficult, and often requires the skills of a professional.

Not necessarily, the grass is greener on top of the soil treatment area because the roots are consuming the water and nitrogen that is present in wastewater. If the ground isn't wet then its a natural process. IF the surface is WET, then it posses a health risk (Hazard). Then fence off the area and call a Professional to diagnose the cause.

Yes, the wastewater is surfacing (Ponding) and it possesses a health risk to humans and animals. Fence off the area around your system to keep everything away from the sewage. Diagnosing the specific cause may be difficult, and often requires the skills of a professional.

It could be caused from a number of different things; here is a list of possible causes, and remedies. Excess water usage. -- reduce the water use and see if situation returns to normal. Improper plumbing -- lines are not at proper slope and could have a hump in them. Blockage in plumbing -- grease and other things not to be used in system can get hung up on pipe joints Frozen lines -- not enough water usage, disturbing snow cover on lines, improper installation of piping Pump failure -- check pump, floats and if not working, replace with same Type and Model Roots clogging pipes -- Have line Roto Routed, check line for cracks, broken joints and remove roots next to it

A licensed ISTS Evaluator/Designer will conduct soil borings in the area for the soil treatment system that is within the setback boundary's set by the regulations to protect the groundwater and your well, also the lakes.

The installation costs of an individual on-site septic system typically range from $3,000 to greater than $10,000, depending on the size of home, the site conditions and local ordinance requirements.

The properly installed and maintained system should perform from 15 to 40+ years. Without proper Maintenance the life of the system will start to decrease, repeated water use in excess of the designed flow will also shorten the overall life.

There are four basic kinds of septic systems: Cesspools: They are constructed of concrete with drainage holes along the side and is open to the sand below. Trench's: They include drainpipe laid in 1 1/2" Rock, Gravel less Pipe and Chambers. Pressure Beds: They are small pipes with small holes (orifices) in them laid in rock. Wastewater is sprayed into rock under pressure to distribute it evenly across the whole bed area. Mounds: They are a constructed sand hill with a pressure bed system in it. Then covered with dirt and topsoil. A ISTS Designer will make the determination which system type that is needed from the site evaluation that was completed prior to designing your new system.

NO, gardens require that the soil be constantly tiled, and that adds unnecessary water (Rain, Watering, and there are pathogens that are associated with wastewater that are harmful) to the treatment system. Tree roots tend to block off the flow of water through the soil pores and clog up the system.

Treatment of wastewater with a septic system begins with the plumbing in the house. It funnels wastewater to the septic tank. In the tank, solids are separated from the liquids. Some solids float to the top and others settle to the bottom. Natural bacteria in wastewater break down the organic solids. Solids not broken down by bacteria are stored in the septic tank until the tank is pumped. They should be pumped out of the tank through the manhole every one to three years. Septic tanks DO NOT destroy disease-causing pathogens. Septic tanks prepare the liquid for final treatment by the soil. Wastewater from septic tanks is distributed into the soil by a cesspool, mound, drip dispersal system. A layer forms where sewage meets the soil called Biomat. Once wastewater is through the biomat, harmful pathogens are destroyed. When owners don't clean septic tanks often enough, too many solids clog the biomat. Liquids can't pass through. This means the septic system will fail with untreated water coming to the surface or backing up into the home.

No, but mowing will increase the evaporation process of the wastewater, helping with the filtration process of the nitrogen present.

A properly designed, constructed and maintained septic system will not contaminate the groundwater (Wells) or your lake they are designed to protect them!