Sewers & Drain

Sewer Plumbers Serving Toledo & Maumee, OH

Alternative Plumbing Plus, Inc. in Toledo, OH, is a licensed sewer contractor. We are experienced in every aspect of sewer cleaning, repair, and installation. Working with a sewer contractor is essential any time sewer systems need to be installed, repaired or cleaned out. 

Sewer systems contain wastewater and perhaps toxic pollutants that can result in environmental damage if not contained properly. It's important to work with professionals that are licensed to perform the type of work required. Installing and repairing a sewer pipeline is a complex procedure that can result in expensive complications if work is not conducted according to city guidelines. It's important to hire the right contractor for your job. We specialize in residential and commercial sewer cleanings, repair and new installations.   

Ask Us About Our Sewer Camera Inspections!

Not only do we clean, repair and install new sewers, we also offer sewer camera inspections to detect and pinpoint the problems in your sewer system. A backed-up sewer or a leaking sewer pipe can be caused by a number of sewer problems.

​We are experienced and have the latest technological equipment in the field.

Drain Cleaning

Clean drains are a critical component of your plumbing system. Alternative Plumbing Plus offers all drain cleaning services to ensure that your water system will function cleanly and properly for years. We are specialists in blocked drain diagnosis and clearing drains of all kinds. All our trucks are equipped and ready to clear any drain you have that is not going down. 
Call Us We'll get you scheduled with a fully qualified plumber to fix your blocked drain, the right way
We Clear Drains of All Kinds:
  • BLOCKED HOUSE DRAINS
  • BLOCKED SEWER DRAINS
  • BLOCKED STORMWATER DRAINS
  • BLOCKED TOILETS
  • BLOCKED SHOWERS
  • BLOCKED SINKS
  • BLOCKED FOOTER TILES
  • BLOCKED DRIVEWAY DRAINS
  • BLOCKED LINE FROM HOUSE TO SEPTIC TANK
KITCHEN

Kitchen drains clog over time. They run slower and slower as greases, soaps, fats, and detergents build up on the inner walls of the pipes and eventually cause a blockage. Our Service Technicians will cut through the clog, remove all debris, and return your sink to free-flowing again.  
SHOWERS & BATHTUB

Bathroom sink drains clog with soap, hair, jewelry and cleaning products. Bathroom sink drains may become clogged with hair, toothpaste, soap, and grime. We provide many bathroom plumbing solutions and sink drains are one of the more common problems we solve. We will remove the clog and thoroughly clean the entire pipe so your sinks will drain like new.
BATHROOM

Shower and tub drains present their own challenges. The clog culprit is usually hair and soap buildup in the trap and drainpipe. Our Service Technicians, skilled in shower repair techniques will use a tub and shower drain cleaning machine to cleanse the drain of any and all debris, restoring it to new condition.
TOILETS

Toilet drains are sometimes overwhelmed with toilet paper and even the occasional kid's toy. We can solve the problem with a machine that feeds a spinning cable into the toilet drain. The cable has special spring-loaded blades on the tip that will cut through any obstruction while hugging the inside wall of the pipe and thoroughly cleaning it to restore full drainage and powerful flushes.
FLOOR DRAINS

Floor drains are designed to move water away from driveways and basements. These drains should be regularly cleaned to prevent flooding.

Floor drains are common in basements, laundry rooms, and garages. They may also be found on patios and driveways as well as older bathrooms. These drains are equipped with a trap that should be kept filled with water to prevent odors and sewer gas from escaping. Test drains occasionally to make sure they aren't clogged and are ready to carry away water and prevent flooding. Dirt and debris can clog floor drains but we can open them quickly to restore good drainage.
PERIMETER FOOTER TILES

We can clean your perimeter footer tiles. It's very important to keep perimeter footer tiles clean and free of debris. Wet basements are sources of high humidity, which can produce surface condensation, mildew fungi, musty odors, and an overall unhealthful environment. Such moisture can cause deterioration of floor joists, beams, sub-flooring, insulation, and electrical-mechanical systems. Prolonged water around the footer and foundation wall can soften the soil, weaken its bearing capacity and increase the possibility of wall settlement, structural material erosion and cracking. Excessive moisture can eventually penetrate the sub-flooring and buckle the flooring or cause warping, making doors and cabinets difficult to close or open. 

Sewers

SEWER LINES

We Clean Them ~ We Camera Inspect Them ~ We Repair Them & We Install New Ones

A sanitary sewer is an underground carriage system specifically for transporting sewage from houses and commercial buildings through pipes to treatment or disposal. Sanitary sewers serving industrial areas also carry industrial wastewater.
A diagram of sewer plumbing in Maumee, OH
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    We unplug sewers, no one else can!

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    We unplug sewers, no one else can!

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  • Slide title

    We unplug sewers, no one else can!

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Tree Root Removal in Sewer Lines

Tree root removal is welcomed by homeowners, often surprised, roots from a tree or bush several yards or even several houses away can damage their home’s plumbing system. Having tree roots in pipes is called “root intrusion”, and can create major blockage in your line.

Sewer line roots form because roots are drawn to unbroken pipes because of condensation around the sewer pipes. The roots grow alongside and around the pipe to absorb the moisture, and this is the start of tree roots in the drain and roots in your sewer line. Trees and shrubs seek water to grow, and your pipes provide a perfect, protected environment.
Sewer Line Camera Inspections

A camera pipe inspection allows for a visual inspection of underground sewer lines and other piping determining the condition inside the pipe. A flexible fiber optic cable with a specially designed high resolution video camera on its tip is inserted into the pipe for a thorough inspection. When the cable is pushed through the pipe, the waterproof camera is equipped with a strong light showing the journey and findings.

We find out exactly the condition of your line and what is causing your drains to block up. Our inspections identify and locate serious drain problems like blockages, tree roots, debris, cracked or collapsed pipes which could end up costing you thousands of dollars in repairs in the long run.
Sewer Line Camera Inspections — Toledo, OH — Alternative Plumbing Plus, Inc.
Different Image Of Damaged Pipe — Toledo, OH — Alternative Plumbing Plus, Inc.
Alternative Plumbing does more than just clear your drains. We offer sewer line repair, sewer line replacement and sewer line installation to correct a number of problems, including:
  • Broken, cracked, offset or collapsed pipe - damaged pipes due to shifting soil, frozen ground, settling, etc.
  • Blockage - grease buildup or a foreign object is restricting or prohibiting proper flow and/or cleaning of the line.
  • Corrosion - the pipe has deteriorated and/or broken, causing collapses in the line and restricting flow.
  • Bellied pipe - a section of the pipe has sunk due to ground or soil conditions, creating a valley that collects paper and waste.
  • Leaking joints - the seals between pipes have broken, allowing water to escape into the area surrounding the pipe.
  • Root in sewer line - tree or shrub roots have invaded the sewer line, preventing normal cleaning and/or have damaged the line.
  • Off-grade pipe - existing pipes are constructed of substandard material that may have deteriorated or corroded.

Pipe Patch

No Dig Pipe Repair System

Imagine a surgeon inserting a stent into a heart artery. These stents enable weak arteries to continue flowing normally and prevent the heart from future problems. Much like a stent, Alternative Plumbing uses the PipePatch proactive approach that provides an effective structural Point Repair. When compared to digging or lining an entire pipe, our PipePatch No Dig system only repairs areas that require rehabilitation—saving time, investments, materials, and hours of labor. By not lining an entire pipe, we can efficiently make multiple repairs and remain environmentally friendly. As infrastructure constantly requires maintenance, a point repair is the number one solution for structurally rehabilitating pipes!
Sewer Repair Steps — Toledo, OH — Alternative Plumbing Plus, Inc.
Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP)

CIPP Cured-In-Place Point Repair is a process where a liner is inserted into a pipe impregnated with a thermosetting resin, which is expanded and cured to form a tight-fitting liner within the host pipe, a pipe within a pipe. The CIPP process incorporates the existing pipeline into the finished product to produce improved performance of the original pipeline. Although cure times vary due to host pipe material and temperatures, PipePatch is typically cured in 1 to 3 hours.

Point Repair

Point Repair is PipePatch’s cost-saving process of lining only the areas that require repair versus lining the entire length of pipeline. PipePatch’s point repair system not only saves material costs but also man-hours. Depending on the pipes diameter, PipePatch requires only 1 to 3 technicians to complete a repair.

Structural Integrity

PipePatch restores structural integrity to damaged pipes and exceeds Specification ASTM F1216 for Cured-In-Place-Pipe (CIPP). This Specification requires our materials to be tested for a minimum service life of 50 years. Our fully cured resin serves as a barrier between the damaged pipe and the flow, or as a stand-alone pipe.

Increased Flow Capacity

PipePatch provides the least reduction of all point repair methods used to rehabilitate pipes. When cured, PipePatch is only 1/8 inch thick. The smooth interior of our product with tapered ends typically improves flow capacity. The smooth interior also provides excellent corrosion and abrasion resistance.

Pipe Patch NO-DIG Sewer and Drain Repair System

Is PipePatch for Me? If you have a crack, break, or separation in a drain pipe 2" or larger in diameter, then PipePatch is definitely right for you. If conventional repair would require you to tear down walls, break up floors, or perform any other kind of demolition in order to access the pipe, then PipePatch can save you a substantial amount of money over traditional repair, and you won't have to deal with the headaches of restoration. So, if you smell sewer gas or experience sewer odor, have frequent sewer backups, or suspect a hidden leak, give us a call. Alternative Plumbing can determine whether PipePatch is right for you. We can perform a sewer or drain video inspection to inspect the damage from the inside of your pipes. And for the more difficult to find drain leaks, we can perform our Smoke Test.
Residential Pipe Patch — Toledo, OH — Alternative Plumbing Plus, Inc.
RESIDENTIAL APPLICATIONS - PIPE PATCH

Water and tree roots entering a sewer line through holes, breaks, and joint failures can significantly reduce the performance of the sewer system both from the residence to the city service main line causing costly excavation and repair. By utilizing the PipePatch system with its exceptional bonding properties you can significantly reduce this infiltration and leakage by restoring function and flow within hours not days.

S1E manufactures solutions that offer homeowners a non-invasive alternative to repairing lateral lines and water infiltration. These tools not only save time and money, but provide a return on investment that far exceeds traditional dig and replace methods. Our products allow repairs without digging or permits--what traditionally could take days, only takes hours.
Possible PipePatch Applications should be used to repair broken drain pipes which run underground, inside the walls, or through the floor. It can be used to repair drain pipes that are 2″ or larger in diameter,(we are currently in the process of accessing lines as small as 1 ½" in diameter) including: 
  • Cast iron pipes
  • Clay pipes 
  • Copper pipes
  • PVC pipes
  • Pool Lines
  • Drain Lines 
  • Sewer Lines
  • Vent Lines 
Sewer Line Under Construction — Toledo, OH — Alternative Plumbing Plus, Inc.
Pipe Patch Pipe Repair System — Toledo, OH — Alternative Plumbing Plus, Inc.
Using PipePatch can save the destruction of the following:
  • Floors 
  • Walls 
  • Decks
  • Garages
  • Catch Basins 
  • Walkways
  • Driveways
  • Gardens
  • Bushes 
  • Foundations 
  • Porches
  • Parking Lots

Jetting High Pressure

HYDRO-JETTING

Hydro-water jetting is an efficient, economical, and environmentally safe way to clean drain and sewer pipes. Using state-of-the-art pumps and flexible hoses, ordinary water is propelled under varying amounts of pressure into the sewer line. A special nozzle mounted on the end of a heavy-duty hose has an array of forward and reverse water jets, which direct extremely powerful concentrated streams of water all the way to the pipe walls. Even the toughest blockages and buildup can’t stand up to water jet cutting, which thoroughly cleans pipes.

We also have a hydro jet truck that carries water when there is no water source. It can blast through sludge, grease, soap, and sediment blockages. As the hose is pulled back, the jetter scrubs the line, flushing debris away and restoring drain lines, sewer lines, and storm drains to their full, free-flowing capacity. Our jet truck carries 2,000 gallons of water.
Grease, sludge, sand, and debris are the main causes of commercial drain line blockages. Our high-pressure water jetting service can help you clear this sediment by:
  • Penetrating and emulsifying grease
  • Breaking up sludge and debris
  • Pulverizing roots
  • Cutting out hardened scale
  • Flushing out the system
Cable machines are used to remove tree roots and break through solid obstructions. They are, however, less effective in removing softer blockages such as grease, scale and other buildup. Cable machines will bore holes through sludge but they can't clean and push the debris out of pipes as effectively as water jet machines.
Regular water jet maintenance keeps drain lines flowing

Restaurants and other commercial establishments typically require frequent high-pressure water jetting to remove mineral deposits, grease buildup, sludge, and debris that accumulate in the lines. Clogs can cause down time, and down time in any industry means lost customers and revenue.

Some businesses may require just one or two cleanings annually, while others benefit from monthly or quarterly cleanings. That's why many of our customers prefer to set up a scheduled program for water jetting service that keeps their drains flowing freely. We can recommend a jetting service schedule that best meets the needs of your business.


Water jet machine service means cleaner pipes, which means fewer service calls, less down time, overall cost savings and one less thing for you to worry about
Water Jet — Toledo, OH — Alternative Plumbing Plus, Inc.
Our jetting service can easily blast through tough stoppages clearing sludge, grease, residues or open frozen pipes.

Sump Pumps

The Cost of a New Sump Pump Pales in Comparison to the Damage Done if it Stops Working

Sump pumps will solve most basement flooding and leaking issues as they are designed to remove water from basements and crawl spaces.
What is a Sump Pump?

A sump pump is a submersible pump that sits at the bottom of a sump crock, which is typically installed at the lowest point in your basement or crawl space. Ground water surrounding your home or building's foundation is channeled into a perimeter drain system installed at the base of the foundation. Water finds its way into the perforated drain pipes and is quickly diverted to the sump crock. The sump pump, which is triggered by a float switch, removes the water by pumping it to the nearest storm drain, dry well or retention pond. A sump pump turns on only when water inside the sump crock reaches a pre-determined level. Most new homes are equipped with sump pumps but older homes can be retrofitted with a sump system to prevent basement flooding.
Man Opening Sump Pump — Toledo, OH — Alternative Plumbing Plus, Inc.
Sump Pump Illustrator — Toledo, OH — Alternative Plumbing Plus, Inc.
Test Your Sump Pump Regularly

Test your sump pump regularly to make sure it will operate when the next big downpour occurs. Test it by pouring a bucket of water into the sump crock - the pump should turn on, removing the water from the crock and should shut itself off in a matter of seconds. Ensure that the float and the check valve move freely.

Cleaning and Replacement

To clean your sump crock, remove any dirt, sand, gravel and other debris to increase the pump’s efficiency and prolong its life. Ensure that the discharge line opening is free of obstructions so that water can be pumped through the line and out of your basement or crawlspace.

Like any equipment with moving parts, sump pumps will wear out over time and will need to be replaced. There is no general rule on how often a sump pump should be replaced since it depends on how often the pump operates.
Consider a Battery Backup

Property owners may choose to have a second sump pump installed as a back-up. If your home experiences a power outage out for an extended period, frequent power outages or if your primary sump pump fails, a battery backup sump pump or one of many water powered backup systems (that use your home's water supply pressure to remove water from the sump crock) will protect your basement from water damage. 

An Alternative Plumbing Service Technician can present backup options to help you choose between a battery back-up or a water-driven back-up, to ensure that the second pump will work if the power goes out, such as during a severe storm when it’s especially important that water is pumped away from your home.
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