Sewer-Matic Services - Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. When I flush my toilet, I hear a gurgling noise in my basement drain or get sewage backup. What should I do?

2. When I run my tap, there is a noxious smell. What should I do?

3. What should I do if my toilet won't flush properly?

4. My kitchen sink is draining slowly. Should I use a chemical drain opener?

5. How much water is wasted by a leaky faucet?

6. If I'm buying a house with a septic tank, how often should the tank be cleaned?

7. What kinds of treatments are recommended for septic tanks, and are they effective?

8. If I have my drain relined, will the problems associated with the drain stop?

Should you have a question that does not appear here, please do not hesitate to contact the appropriate individual on the email contact page.

1. When I flush my toilet, I hear a gurgling noise in my basement drain or get sewage backup. What should I do?
Generally, this type of problem is caused by a blocked main or branch line. The blockage may be caused by roots, broken pipe, sumps, or any other foreign object. The best course of action is to have this line cleaned and unblocked. A CCTV(closed circuit television) camera inspection can be done to determine the exact cause.

2. When I run my tap, there is a noxious smell. What should I do?
This type of problem is often caused by waste in the overflow of your sink decaying. One way to fix it is to fill the sink with warm water and half a cup of bleach. Run warm water into the full sink allowing it to run off into the overflow. Run the water for 5 minutes and the smell will disappear.

3. What should I do if my toilet won't flush properly?
A toilet that won't flush properly is either caused by an internal blockage or by blocked portholes under the rim of the toilet. If you don't think your toilet is flushing at full strength, one self-fix is to take a mirror and look at the portholes. If they appear to be clogged by calcite, use a bent coat hanger to clean the holes out. You should now be getting a full strength flush every time.

4. My kitchen sink is draining slowly. Should I use a chemical drain opener?
Chemical cleaners can easily react with household cleaners, and can potentially damage your pipes as easily as the clog in the drain. We recommend using either an environmentally safe drain opener or having the line rodded by a plumber.

5. How much water is wasted by a leaky faucet?
A slow leaking faucet may not seem like a big deal, but when you consider that it can drip 3 gallons a day, or 1095 gallons a year, the waste definitely adds up!

6. If I'm buying a house with a septic tank, how often should the tank be cleaned?
In an average household of 4 people, the septic tank will have to be emptied every 3-5 years. You may also want to consider contacting the local conservation authority (in Ottawa,The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority at 1-800-267-3504). They should have information on the state and condition of most septic tanks in your area.

7. What kinds of treatments are recommended for septic tanks, and are they effective?
The most effective treatments for septic tanks are those that are micro-organism based. When mixed with water, the active organisms come to life to eat grease, hair, soap film and all other organic waste. Waste is then converted to water and harmless carbon dioxide. These types of treatments are effective both on septic tanks, and on drains.

8. If I have my drain relined, will the problems associated with the drain stop?
If a problem has been identified with your drain, and relining is the desired solution, the resulting new drain has a greater flow rate than the original. Please see our Formadrain page for more detailed information on the process.

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