Have you ever thought your water pressure was weak while showering? Or when you are using the sink? Well low water pressure is a symptom of bigger issues and here are 3 reasons as to why.

1. Using Old Pipes
Old galvanized pipes is an expensive issue to have fixed. Certain piping materials corrode quicker over time and that gradual mineral buildup can restrict water flow.
A way to avoid things like this you can get a professional to take a look at what kind of pipes they are and ways to fix the problem.

2.Clogged Pipes
Even if you don't have a clog just beneath the drain there could be one deep down in the depths of your pipes that is difficult to get to, these deep clogs can negatively impact water pressure. A way to fix this is to use drain cleaning solution but if that doesn't work hiring a Plumber who can access these difficult-to-reach clogs without the use of dangerous chemicals as that can damage the pipes.

3.Peak Time Use
There are times called Peak times which are like the early morning or late at night if you shower during those times then the low water pressure issue could be due to high water use by your entire neighborhood because of shared pipelines. To fix this check your water pressure during low-use periods. If it's better at these times, then consider altering your shower schedule. 

If you know your pipes are olde than 20 years be sure to call 720-499-5359 so we can set up an appointment to look at your issue. Or if you believe something is clogging your pipes, call us, we can help.

Ever wonder why there is bad odor coming from your drain? Well surprisingly it is a very common occurrence as there are 3 reasons as to why.

1.) Bacteria Buildup
The smell can be coming from a simple thing like bacteria or gunk buildup. The reason for it can be due to the things that go down your drain such as food, hair, and dirt. When those go down your drain there are chances of it getting stuck and from there the smell can flow up and out of your drain. It can lead to blockages so its usually a good sign to clean it out your pipes.

2.) Dry P-Trap
Another way is if you haven't used them recently, you might need to run the water and refill the P-trap to get rid of the drain smell. The drain lines have a goose-necked section pipe installed to block the sewer gas from wafting up through the drain. When the sink isn’t used, the water in the trap evaporates. Thus to prevent the P-Traps from drying out, run a tiny bit of water in each of your faucets every so often.


 3.) Drain Trap
Usually there is a proper drain trap installed to block the smell from the sewer making it's way into your home, if you are installing a new bathtub or sink make sure to have a professional install a Drain Trap. 

​1) Sewage Backups,  Blockages  & Sewer Stoppages and Backups
Sanitary sewer backups usually occur in the lowest open drain. A sewage backup is typically caused by a blockage somewhere in the line. If you experience a backup every time you flush or run water down your sink or bathtub drain, then the problem is likely in your main sewer line since all drains rely on the main sewer line to drain properly. However, if backups are limited to only one drain then your problem is likely isolated to that drain.
 
Regular backups may be a symptom of broken and deteriorating sewer lines
If you experience backups or blockages regularly even after having the pipes cleaned, then you may have an underlying issue such as tree root intrusion, channeling, cracks letting surrounding soil in, or a misaligned pipe connection. These issues can be detected by getting a sewer video inspection.
 
2) Sewer Gas Odor
If you can smell sewer gas in or around your home or building, this is a tell-tale symptom that there is a crack somewhere in your sewer system. A sanitary sewer should be airtight everywhere with the exception of vent stacks on your roof which allows for the sewage to move downhill. This means that you should never smell sewer odor unless there was a crack or opening in your sanitary sewer lines.
 
3) Mold Problem sewer leak creating opportunities for mold to grow
In addition to sewer odor, mold growth may also be a sign of a break in your sewer lines behind your walls. There are molds that only need the humidity level to be higher than 55% to start growing. Considering that, a cracked sewer pipe behind a wall can cause the humidity levels to rise to a point suitable for a mold problem to begin. If you notice mold growth in your home accompanied by sewer odor then you likely have a break in your sewage drain pipes.
 
4) Slow Drain when flushing or in sinks
A slow drain may be a symptom that a blockage is forming which will eventually lead to a sewage backup. If your toilet, bathtub, or sink is draining slowly even after attempts to clear the line, you may have issues such as tree root intrusion, channeling, or cracks, mentioned above in the beginning stages.
 
Note: Beware of using chemical drain cleaners to solve a slow drain or blockage. As the chemicals sit in the pipe they will eat away at the cast iron and/or PVC.
 
5) Extra Green and  Patches in Grass
Spotting an extra green and lush patch of grass in your yard may be due to a sewage leak underground. Since sewage acts as a fertilizer for vegetation, leakage from your main line into the surrounding soil will give the surrounding grass extra nutrients that will result in a lush and extra green appearance.
 
6) Indentation In Lawn, driveway or Under Pavers
Another symptom of a broken sewer line is an indentation in your lawn or under pavers. A cracked sewer main line that is consistently saturating the ground may cause the soil to dissipate. This may cause your lawn to develop an indentation or dip above where your sewage main line runs.
 
7) Foundation Cracks, Settlement, and Sinkholes
Sewer leak causes foundation problems
More extreme symptoms of sewer pipe deterioration include foundation issues such as cracks in your foundation slab, foundation settlement, and in some cases sinkholes.
 
If the main line running under your slab develops a leak that goes untreated for a prolonged period of time, a void may develop under the foundation or in the yard. This may lead to foundation problems such as cracks in your foundation, settlement of your home or building, and potentially even a sinkhole.
 
If your home or building is not on pilings and you notice any of the aforementioned foundation-related problems, a broken and leaking main sewer line may be a contributing factor and you should call a foundation repair specialist immediately.
 
Here is an example of a cracked sewer line causing a sinkhole: Broken sewer line cause of sinkhole in Winston-Salem
 
8) Septic Waste Pooling in Yard
An obvious sign that you may have a broken sewer pipe would be septic wastewater pooling in your yard. The issue may be a broken septic tank, clogged drain fields, or a cracked main line. Often times the problem area is located directly under the pool of sewer water.
 
9) Rodent Problem
Believe it or not, a rodent problem may be a sign of a break in your sewer lines. Rats live in sewers and can make their way from your city/main line tie-in to the pipes running behind your walls. An average rat can squeeze through a crack or opening in your sanitary sewer the size of a quarter (about 3/4 inch) and invite themselves to dinner.
 
Rodent In Residential Sewer Lines
Rodents are responsible for the spread of many life-threatening diseases including Plague and Hemorrhagic Fever. Certain diseases can be transmitted simply by breathing in dust that has been contaminated with rat urine or droppings as well as being directly bitten by an infected rodent.
 
If you have a persistent rodent problem that pest control tactics can’t seem to solve, try getting a video inspection of your sewer system to see if you have any possible entry points for rodents.
 
10) Insect Infestation
An insect infestation may also be a symptom of a broken sewer line. Insects such as cockroaches, palmetto bugs, and sewer flies have a much easier time getting through sanitary sewer cracks into your home than rats. According to one reference work, the small German cockroach can fit into a crack in your pipes as thin as a dime, while the larger American cockroach will squeeze into a space no thicker than a quarter!
 
Cockroaches have many negative consequences for human health because certain proteins (called allergens) found in cockroach feces, saliva, and body parts can cause allergic reactions or trigger asthma symptoms, especially in children.
 
Calling a pest control company on a regular basis to get rid of insects will treat the problem temporarily, however, if you have a compromised sewer line, the bugs will never stop coming into your home. You will need to address their entry point which may indeed be through a crack in your sewer lines.
 
How to Avoid Further Sewer Pipe Damage
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms of a damaged sewer line, you should have a sewer inspection done by a qualified professional, it can fail unexpectedly and cause substantial damage to your home. 

Preventive drain line and sewer line maintenance methods can help avoid many types of sewer line blockages. Remember that your home is like any other thing that requires periodic maintenance to keep its good appearance, and avoid problems due to wear and tear. As a homeowner, you will need to check such routine items as your garage door opener, air conditioning system for leaks, heating system for energy inefficiency, integrity of your roof, and insulation,  just to name a few. Your house drain and sewer line are no different.
Sewer line maintenance is often overlookedOne thing that’s very easily overlooked is the drain and sewer lines in your home. Your drain system has the potential to cause nasty and unhealthy problems that can lead to expensive repairs. But many homeowners fail to recognize early symptoms of trouble, and to do proper sewer line maintenance. To make things easier, here are some of the most common problems with sewer and drain lines, and easy preventive steps you can take.
Blockage from tree roots
​Roots can completely fill a pipeWhen tree roots have made their way into the sewer line, it is difficult to control how fast they grow and the damage they do. The problem starts when roots find a crack or hole in the pipeline; they find a source of water and moisture to keep the tree growing and nourished. Until the crack or hole is repaired, tree roots will be continuous and a recurrent problem.
• Prevention: Removing trees planted anywhere near the sewer line is good idea, but even the roots of far away trees can reach the pipeline. The best way to prevent this issue is to use copper sulfate crystals to create a poisonous zone around the pipe. Roots cannot penetrate the chemicals.
A truly preventative measure is to only plant trees with a shallow root structure. Some of the trees with shallow root structures are:

• Ash trees
• Maple trees
• Willow trees
• Oak trees

Trees with shallow roots have their own drawbacks. Trees with shallow roots are more easily blown over by strong winds, and tend to do more damage to paved area such as sidewalk cement. 

Irrigation system backflow prevention devices are used to protect water supplies from contamination or pollution. Irrigation backflow devices are designed for installation on potable water lines to protect against both back-siphonage and back-pressure of contaminated water into the potable water supply.​ 
Many people ask what is a back flow preventer?, do I need one?, and why is it necessary
The importance of one is because the landscape around home or business is filled with all sorts of things, that can make people sick if indigested. from fertilizers and bacteria found in pet waste for example. Most irrigation systems are attached to a potable water system. So in other wards the back flow preventer prevents the back flow of contaminated water getting into the potable water supply. Back flow can occur when there is a sudden water pressure drop in the water line. 
A back flow preventer is something that you might want to question having when installing or repairing a irrigation line. 



















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During the Winter is is very common when we get phone calls from frozen busted pipes! Definately not a fun experience either. Working in the cold during the winter is hard for anyone! Especially when that means, busted pipes, with no water! Over all not very fun. We want to give everyone some advice to help prevent something like this happening! Bursts pipes can cause major damage to property and equals a lot money to fix the problem. 
 We found a perfect explanation from Consumereports.org that will help!
"Once the temperature starts dropping outside, you should take measures inside to keep your pipes warm and water running. Research conducted by the Building Research Council at the University of Illinois shows that the “temperature alert threshold” is 20° F, especially if you have uninsulated pipes running through an uninsulated space.  
Some of the steps experts recommend may go against your better instincts of conserving water and heat, but the extra expense is nothing compared with a hefty repair bill. Here’s what to do:


Keep garage doors closed, especially if there are water supply lines in the garage.
Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing, especially if your sinks are on an exterior wall. (If you have small children, be sure to remove any harmful cleaners and household chemicals.)
Let the cold water drip from a faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe—even at a trickle—helps prevent pipes from freezing.
Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature during day and night. Again, during a cold snap is not the time to set back the thermostat at night to save a few bucks on your heating bill.
If you plan to be away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.
For the long term, add insulation to attics, basements, and crawl spaces. Insulation will maintain higher temperatures in those areas. And to prevent drafts, seal cracks and openings around windows, doors, and at sill plates, where the house rests on its foundation.
How to Thaw Frozen PipesIf you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, you may well have a frozen pipe. “If you suspect the pipes are frozen, be careful when thawing them out because if the pipe has already burst, the water will come flowing out and flood your home,” says John Galeotafiore, who oversees Consumer Reports’ testing of home products and power gear.
If a pipe has broken, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve, which is usually at the water meter or where the main line enters the house. If the water is still running and no pipes have burst, you can take the following steps. (Of course, if you suspect a more serious problem, call a plumber.)
Turn on the faucet. As you heat the frozen pipe and the ice plug begins to melt, you want the water to be able to flow through. Running water through the pipe, as cold as it is, will help melt ice in the pipe.
Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, or a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. As tempting as it may be, do not use a blowtorch, a kerosene or propane heater, a charcoal stove, or any device with an open flame; the high heat can damage the pipes or even start a fire.
Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. Check all other faucets in your home to see whether you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.
Lets stay Warm, and Keep our pipes warm too! 

Farrell, M. H. (n.d.). How to Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing. Retrieved from https://www.consumerreports.org/home-maintenance-repairs/how-to-keep-pipes-from-freezing/

There have been plenty of times where people have sent us in to re-fix, or even fix and replace a whole water line because the water line was not checked out correctly. When you get a leak in your water line, PLEASE, whatever you do have them double check your waterline to see if it worth to make minor fix or to replace the whole waterline itself. We understand the financial struggles. With Integrity Water and Sewer we will completely honest on your water lines and sewer lines. We always check to make sure if it worth it making that minor fix or if you might have to consider replacing the whole line because of how old or damaged it is. The finances to us are not the biggest worry in our books. We do our best to plan something out! We truly care for our people and do not want to drain your pockets! Water and sewer line problems? Call Integrity Water and Sewer, we are the right company for you!!!
Danny Arguello 720-499-5359
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Constantly watering your lawn yet? With all the water we use during summer it is important to pay attention to your water gage to check if there is any leaks, and not losing any water pressure. We suggest to once in a great while, check how your water lines are doing! Make sure they are still in great condition, and if not, when you might need to replace. To check your water meter;

1. Make sure no water is being used inside or outside of your house.
2. Locate your water meter and check the leak indicator to see if it is moving. Depending on the brand of your meter, the leak indicator could be a small triangular shaped dial or a small silver wheel that rotates when water is flowing through the meter. If the dial is moving, chances are, you have a leak.
3. Or, you can also take a meter reading and wait 1 or 2 hours and take another meter reading (make sure no water is used during this time). If the reading has changed, you have a leak.

After you have determined that you have a leak, the next step is to determine if the leak is inside or outside of your house.

1. Locate your home's main shut off valve and shut off the water at the valve. Typically, you will find the shut off valve in the basement or garage directly behind an outdoor faucet, or outside below an outdoor faucet.
2. Again, check the leak indicator for movement or use the meter reading method, making sure not to use any water during this period. If the leak indicator stops moving or there is no change in the meter readings, then you have a leak inside of the house. If the leak indicator continues to move or there is a change in the meter readings, then the leak is outside between the meter and the house.
3. If you are unable to locate the leak, you may need to call a plumber.

If you have a leak and want to fix call Integrity Water and Sewer! We will be more than happy to give a bid and guarantee the best work. 
Call 720-499-5359
Thank You!







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Is your irrigation line broken? First locate where exactly the brake is in order to fix it. Now to determine whether it is in the main "constant pressure" or in lateral zone line. The main pipe delivers pressurized water from main water source to the lateral zone lines. If there was to be a break in the main water line, you'll see water leaking or "pooling"  in a large quantity, that is even if the water system is turned off. If in the lateral lines there is a break, you will see only when the system is on, it will pool and surface as well.
How to Fix it? Well, there are few ways to fix it. For main line break turn off the system. Dig where the water is pooling and determine what the type of pipe is, such as; PVC or smaller type of pipe. Dig and remove the soil around the pipe. If your line break is in a poly pipe that is usually used for lateral lines, expose 1 to 2 feet of the pipe length and remove 2 to 3 inches of soil on either side of the pipe section. For a PVC pipe, which is usually used for main lines, expose at least 2 feet of the pipe length and 6 inches on either side of the pipe. Inspect the pipe damage to determine what caused the line break. Possible causes include frost and frozen water damage, cracks or holes caused by lawn aerators or other equipment, damage from deep-growing roots, bad installation or defective pipes and fittings, or punctures from digging animals. Purchase a new length of PVC or poly pipe, at least two new fittings and any other materials that need replacing, such as sprinkler heads. Select the correct fitting and pipe sizes that match your existing system.
Replacing a Poly Pipe for a Lateral Line Replace a broken poly pipe with a barbed fitting. Measure the new fitting.
Measure a length of the damaged pipe that is the same length as the new fitting and mark the measurements on the broken pipe. Try to ensure that the damaged area is in the center.
Cut the damaged section of pipe using pipe cutters, following your measurement marks. Thread the barbed ends of the new fitting pipe into the cut ends of the lateral line.
Place a pipe clamp on either end of the fitting and crimp the connections closed.
Replacing a PVC Pipe Cut and remove the damaged section of PVC pipe using pipe cutters. Cut the pipe at least 2 or 3 inches beyond the damaged area on either end of the pipe. Remove any pooled water from around the PVC pipe. Dry and wipe the cut ends of the piping clean using a rag. Insert one end of the telescoping repair coupling to one of the cut ends of PVC pipe to test the fit, which should be snug. Remove the repair coupling and apply cement glue to the outside of the repair coupling’s ends and inside of the PVC pipe’s cut ends. Insert one end of the telescoping repair coupling to one cut end of the PVC pipe. Extend the repair coupling to the other cut end of the PVC pipe and insert it. Allow the glue to dry and set before testing the system.
​This can always be tricky, accidents can happen when replacing water or sewer lines with there being so many pipe lines in the ground! So be aware of where your lines can be before doing any work, or even be okay with possibly having to fix it afterwards! 
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Call 720-499-5359
​Danny Arguello