How to Find and Prevent Roots in Your Sewer Line
Trees are an integral part of the landscaping for most yards. They add beauty throughout the year (particularly during autumn with their striking foliage), provide shade during the warmer months, provide habitat for wildlife, and remove carbon from the atmosphere. If only we didn’t have to rake up their fallen leaves each fall! Besides dead […]
Don’t Flush Feminine Products (or Other “Flushables”)
There’s a lot of confusion out there when it comes to what exactly you can flush down the toilet. Take feminine products, for example: some products will say on the package that they are flushable, but take it from us – it’s best not to flush them down the toilet. Let’s take a closer look […]
Are Bath Bombs Bad For My Plumbing?
After a long, hard day slaving at the office or dealing with the kids, nothing beats a nice, long soak in the tub. Many people like to jazz up their bath time with a brightly colored, scented bath bomb. While bath bombs are awesome for relaxing and easing away your stress, they may not be […]
Can You Flush Cat Poop Down the Toilet?
Are you a cat person or a dog person? It’s a debate as old as time. Dogs are generally friendlier and more trainable than cats, while cats are more independent and self-sufficient than dogs. Another plus for dogs is that you can house train them (most of the time), while cats need a litter box. […]
Signs Your Water Heater is Going Bad
It’s the height of summer, and with the heat we try to think cool. Cool rooms, cool drinks, cool showers…they all help to keep us from roasting in the high temperatures. The last thing you’re probably thinking of this time of year is taking a hot shower! But hold on…fall is coming soon, and with […]
Why Do My Drains Back Up After It Rains?
Believe it or not, Colorado gets a lot of rain in the spring and early summer, and for some homeowners, this means backed-up drains. So why does this happen, and what can you do about it? Let’s explore! Signs of Backed-Up Drains If your drains are backing up after it rains, you are sure to […]
Three Reasons Your Home Needs Water Filtration
What’s in your water? Do you know? Usually we like to inject a little humor into our blog topics. But this time, we won’t dwell on funny cultural references about things lurking deep beneath Colorado’s reservoirs and rivers, like the Loch Ness monster or the Creature from the Black Lagoon. Your drinking water is serious […]
Garvin’s Sewer Service Core Values: Safety
At Garvin’s we created a Code of Conduct that includes 6 Core Values. Today we want to explain Safety and what it means to us. We define Safety as: Creating and maintaining a safe environment for both employees and customers Garvin’s Real-Life Examples of Safety For our technicians: Our technicians, depending on their tasks, either […]
Plumbing Tips Every Homeowner Should Know: Part 2
Welcome back! If you missed the first part of this blog, read it here. We promise, it’s worth it! Let’s continue, without further ado, to our final three handy tips for keeping your home’s plumbing in fantastic shape. Find Lovely Rita meter We know the old Beatle’s song referenced a different type of meter. But, […]
Plumbing Tips Every Homeowner Should Know: Part 1
Owning a home is a two-sided coin. There’s joy in having your own yard, being able to remodel every room to your liking and taking pride in cared-for landscaping. Your house isn’t just drywall and wood. It’s where your daughter lost her first tooth, and your cousin surprised everyone by proposing to his fiancée at […]
Spring tips to keep your plumbing humming
Spring in Colorado: What a tricky time. It will be sunny one day and cold the next. The wind will howl on Monday and by Tuesday afternoon the sky will be so blue you’ll swear it’s the start of summer. Spring, the time of new life and snow melt, is actually the perfect time to […]
Why spring is the perfect time for sewer line maintenance
Trees look so gorgeous covered with snow in the winter, don’t they? In the autumn they appear to bed down and take nice, long naps. In the spring, they shelter smaller plants. They host birds in their branches. Trees: Our peaceful manufacturers of oxygen. Not so fast. Trees also have a less heroic side. Deep […]
Tips for Keeping Your Sewer Line (& Plumbing) in Top Shape
Happy New Year! We hope you have an amazing year, full of health and prosperity. Lots of folks around the world rang in 2022 with cultural traditions. In Spain, revelers munched down twelve grapes at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve to bring luck. In the Netherlands, families ate pieces of dough fried […]
Garvin’s Sewer Service Core Values: Communication
At Garvin’s we created a Code of Conduct that includes 6 Core Values. Today we want to explain Communication and what it means to us. We define Communication as: Information is given and received with confirmation. We will accept responsibility for all communication we are involved with, from start to finish. We will give appropriate […]
What can go wrong with plumbing in a newer home
You love the thought of a new home. New kitchen. Open floor plan. The office with a view. The yard with so much potential! Perhaps you’re getting ready to leave your current home behind, or you’ve purchased a new house and you’re excited to settle in. Once-upon-a-time we covered what can go wrong with plumbing […]
How to prepare your plumbing for the holidays
The last goblin has disappeared into the night and now the winter holidays are coming: Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, to name a few. Are you planning to get together with friends or family? We thought so. It’s time to get prepared! Unpack the good plates and holiday linen, make sure the fireplace works, dust off […]
The Dangers of Drain Cleaning
Every once in a while we have customers call us complaining that the drain cleaning service we provided broke their drain line. Because of this, I wanted to give more information about the dangers of drain cleaning to help homeowners, property managers and the like, better understand the process and impacts of drain cleaning. How […]
The curse of the clogged sewer line
Ghosts, zombies, bats and vampires! In October, all things frightening are bound to appear before month’s end. But there’s something scarier than Edgar Allen Poe read around the campfire. Something more chilling than your favorite horror movie. Something guaranteed to strike fear in the bravest of hearts… The hulking marauder that cares for no-one. That […]
The Miracle of Modern Plumbing
We hope you had a restful Labor Day! Perhaps you even went camping? There’s nothing like a fun stint in the woods with family and friends to celebrate the holiday. Until you encounter a pit toilet or a “Luggable Loo” and then, suddenly, you really appreciate home and… plumbing. In honor of this time of […]
Love your plumbing and your sewer line and they will love you back
Today’s blog is brought to you by the letter “M.” Give us an “M,” give us an “A,” give us an “I”… ok this will take forever. M A I N T E N A N C E is today’s featured “M” word. Many of us MOAN about MAINTENANCE. It’s MIGHTY easy to put off. […]
Does hot weather affect your plumbing?
Oh, yes. It does. Mother Nature’s frigid fingers can cause pipes to burst during our cold winter months in Colorado. But, did you know extreme heat can be a concern too? Beat the UV Most of us live at least 5,280 feet above sea level here in our beautiful Centennial State. We wouldn’t choose to […]
Don’t forget these outdoor plumbing tips as you tip-toe through the tulips
“Those were the best days of my life…” ~Bryan Adams Barbecues. Belly flops into the pool. Frisbee golf. “My love for you will still be strong, after the boys of summer have gone.” ~Don Henly. Home runs, picnics, fireworks. “In the summer time when the weather is high, you […]
Tips to keep your plumbing fixtures in top condition
Nobody likes a plumbing surprise. Surprise retirement or birthday celebrations with cake, yes, but grey water or sewer shocks aren’t fun. To help, we want to let you know what to look for to possibly prevent plumbing excitement. Sneaky Leaks Once in a while it’s good to take a peek beneath your sinks to see […]
Why clay sewer pipes may cause issues in some homes
Grab your swimming suit We’re going to take a trip in the hot tub time machine! What? Ok, we’re referencing the 2010 sci-fi flick where four friends wind up in the past after time travelling in a damaged Jacuzzi. Not an Academy Award-winning flick, but it is fitting for a plumbing company to travel in […]
Plumber or Plumbing Contractor in Denver?
Remember the Yellow Pages? When you needed a plumber, you cracked open ye olde yellow book and hoped for the best. Those days are gone, and that’s actually a good thing. After all, the internet makes it a lot easier to find a plumbing contractor in Denver so you get the right person for the […]
Common Plumbing Problems When Buying an Older Home
Indoor plumbing was invented by the ancient Romans, and when you buy an older home, there are times when you’re convinced your pipes and drains were installed by Julius Caesar himself. Ugly tile or an outdated wallpaper border are the least of your problems. Plumbing that’s outdated, or that has ceased to work properly, can […]
5 Tips to Prevent Plumbing Problems
It’s amazing in 2021 to ever imagine life without indoor plumbing. Many of us, especially first-time home buyers, seemed to take plumbing for granted. Owning a home for the first time and noticing things like water pressure and slow drains made us realize just how little we know. The first time we get a clogged […]
A Guide To Sewer Line Preventive Maintenance in Englewood
Not all plumbing problems are quite the same. A slow drip from your bathroom faucet, or a water heater that’s not quite as hot as it once was, amount to slight inconveniences. Other problems don’t just cause mild headaches; they can cause catastrophic damage. A sewer line backup falls squarely into the latter category. But […]
Garvin’s Sewer Service Core Values: Accountability
At Garvin’s we created a Code of Conduct that includes 6 Core Values. Today we want to explain Accountability and what it means to us. We define Accountability as: Holding yourself and others responsible and accountable for actions and activities. We take immediate and appropriate action, and we own our actions start to finish. Real […]
What are the Most Cost-Effective Plumbing Upgrades?
Whether you’re planning to sell your home or just want to make it more livable, there are a variety of cost-effective plumbing upgrades to consider. Garvin’s Sewer Service covers some of the top choices here, each one well within the scope of expertise of our plumbing contractors serving Englewood. Double Sinks If your kitchen and/or […]
Water Conservation Tips for Food Service in Englewood, CO
For several decades, Garvin’s Sewer Service has been synonymous with professional plumbing and drain cleaning service near Englewood. So it stands to reason that we know a thing or two about sewer systems and water supply in and around Denver – particularly, how important it is to conserve water and increase the overall system’s efficiency. […]
What’s the Best Water Heater?
Is it time to replace your old water heater? Or maybe you are doing research because you are ready to upgrade? Either way, it’s smart to learn more so you aren’t in a situation where you must make a high-pressure decision or face taking cold showers! Consider this a Water Heater 101 as we answer […]
Preparing for “Brown Friday” in Denver
The experienced team of local plumbers at Garvin’s Sewer Service in Englewood has no shortage of work to do around the Denver Metro area. This is especially true on “Brown Friday” – the day after Thanksgiving, when clogged sinks and jammed garbage disposals reach a yearly high. Defining Brown Friday The term “Brown Friday” has […]
Tools To Keep On Hand For Basic Plumbing Repair In Denver
From drain clogs in Englewood to plumbing repair in Denver, Garvin’s Sewer Service is your trusted partner for anything that clogs, leaks, or drips. And for those mavericks amongst our customer base inclined to tackle basic plumbing issues possibly classified as DIY, we’ve given you a head start by listing below some tools to keep […]
How To Find The Right Plumber in Denver
Every homeowner needs an experienced, reliable plumber on speed dial, but hitting the mark takes some legwork. For 80 years, Garvin’s Sewer Service has met the plumbing needs of residents throughout the Denver metro area, and we’re happy to provide some tips for how to find the right plumber. Schedule online » Read Online Customer […]
How To Find Water Leaks Inside a Wall: Tips for Denver, CO Residents
A water leak can cause a lot of expensive damage. Worse yet, a hidden water leak inside your walls could go undetected for a long time, wasting your money and damaging your home. Fortunately, the emergency plumbers here at Garvin’s Sewer Service can detect water leaks inside walls. We can also tell you what signs […]
Tips For Keeping Your Restaurant Drains Fresh
If you’re running a restaurant you know just how many things there are to keep track of. One thing that you may not be thinking of is your drains, but we’re here to tell you just how important proper drain care is. At Garvin’s Sewer Service, we offer commercial drain cleaning Englewood residents can rely […]
5 Toilet Troubles and Their Fixes
Last week we received a few calls about toilet troubles, and I wanted to address some of them here for all of you wondering why you are struggling with recurring issues. There are five toilet troubles, in general, and knowing the culprit will have you clearing up the issue quickly. Toilet Problem 1: Water won’t […]
How to Check if Your Toilet Tank is Leaking
While Americans use a lot of water every day for drinking and watering flowers and taking showers, a little over a quarter (27 percent) of the water we use comes from our toilets. That sounds like a lot, but that number can rise even higher if there is a leak in your toilet tank that […]
What is a Sewer Camera Inspection?
Plumbing has come a long way over the course of the last couple of decades, especially as it pertains to newer innovations like sewer camera inspections. It seems like a simple process—snaking a tiny camera down drains to search for damage—but there was a time not that long ago when the technology didn’t exist for […]
Why are Plumbers Considered Essential Workforce?
There has been a lot of talk lately about what is considered “essential”, especially in regards to service providers. Pandemic or not, plumbers are considered essential for two main reasons, and several others (in our opinion). Here’s why: Plumbers are Essential Reason 1: Uncontrolled Water Flow When a pipe bursts or a fitting fails and […]
9 Items That Should Never Go Down the Drain
Here at Garvin’s Sewer Service, we get calls from homeowners all the time because they have a clogged drain, and while there absolutely are times when this happens for reasons well beyond the homeowner’s control, there also are entirely too many times when that call to their commercial drain cleaning in Englewood could’ve been avoided. […]
Tips for Keeping Drains Clear at Hair Salons
In residential situations, hair clogs are among the most common issues that homeowners deal with in their sinks and shower drains. So, it’s not hard to imagine the sorts of plumbing nightmares that can occur at a hair salon, where hair of every length, size, and thickness can find its way into just about any […]
Don’t Have Toilet Paper? Do THIS, not THAT
Well, as the Center for Disease Control is asking people to wash their hands, and stay home if they are showing signs of sickness, it seems that correlates to hoarding toilet paper and masks. While POTUS Trump puts a travel ban on Europe, we see people stealing gloves, and hand sanitizer from hospitals. While this […]
A Guide to Sewer Line Preventative Maintenance
Your sewer lines may be hidden, but they are about as important as any individual aspect of a home. Imagine what life would be like if you couldn’t drain a sink or flush a toilet or run a shower without it backing up. It sounds awful, but these things happen all the time, and sometimes […]
Clean Your Drains Regularly Before They Drain You
The drains in your home aren’t necessarily something you can see, but they are essential in ensuring that water is carried away from the home rather than pooling on the floor somewhere and/or dripping from the ceiling. Ideally, homeowners would not have to deal with leaky or damaged drains because they’d all work perfectly all […]
To flush or not to flush: How will it affect my need for drain cleaning?
To flush or not to flush: what belongs in your trash and NOT your sewer. Tips for smart, responsible homeowners and tenants.
Don’t Let Your Bathroom’s Leak Play Hide-and-Seek
When the original plumbing was installed in your home, fittings, pipes, and hardware were meant to work for decades, but anyone who has ever owned a home understands that at some point, a leak somewhere in that plumbing is inevitable. It isn’t the plumber’s fault; sometimes issues just develop slowly over time. And when they […]
Common Dishwasher Drain Issues
It’s hard to remember a time when dishwashers weren’t in the majority of homes across the United States, but we can be reminded very quickly how essential they are to our lives should our dishwasher ever break down. Washing dishes by hand not only takes longer but uses more water, and adding those layers of […]
Common Causes of Plumbing Leaks
It’s never a good thing to discover that you’ve got a leak somewhere in your home, and while the professionals at Garvin’s Sewer Service are always available to fix plumbing issues you may have, it doesn’t make the reality of those imminent repairs any easier to swallow. They can waste water, leave water damage on […]
Three Reasons to Avoid Liquid Drain Cleaner
When you get a clogged sink or shower drain, the first instinct is often to pull out a bottle of liquid drain cleaner and pour it down the opening to meet that clog head-on. After the recommended waiting time has passed, you’ll flush away the bubbles and hope that whatever was blocking your drain has […]
Warning Signs of a Main Sewer Line Backup
In the world of plumbing, the issues that Garvin’s Sewer Service solve all have varying degrees of difficulty. A plugged-up sink or toilet, for example, is typically easy enough to fix through a simple service call but if a backed up or damaged main sewer line is causing the problem, the fix can get significantly […]
Why You Can’t Ignore Drainage Issues in Your Restaurant
It’s one thing to experience drainage issues at home, when you have a good sense of where the problem may be located and who may have caused it, but if you’re the owner of a restaurant, that often goes straight out the window. There are so many moving parts in a restaurant business —and so […]
What Can a Camera Inspection Tell You About Your Sewer?
Plumbers have been around for as long as plumbing has existed, making it one of the oldest professions in the modern world. Despite that, plumbing has a come a long way, especially in the last few years as technological advancements have helped make it easier than ever to detect any issues in hard-to-see locations such […]
How Do You Know It’s Time for a Sewer Replacement?
Thankfully, modern sewage disposal systems are designed to ensure that we never have to deal with waste the way our ancestors did, but because we’ve grown so used to our sewage systems working flawlessly, the moment a system incurs any sort of damage, we notice it. And it isn’t fun. There are a few things […]
How to Clear a Basement Drain Without a Snake
For as long as there has been modern plumbing, pipes and drains have gotten clogged, and it never stops being frustrating for the people and/or families dealing with the problem. Floor drains—especially those located in basements—are especially susceptible to blockages since all the other water and waste from the house is carried downward by gravity […]
Five Reasons Not to Try Do-It-Yourself Drain Cleaning
When a drain gets severely clogged, the first instinct should be to call a professional plumbing service to help clear up the issue, but we all know that isn’t necessarily where many people head first. No, some folks would rather try dealing with the clog themselves in an attempt to save money, but here at […]
The Most Common Spring Plumbing Issues
While winter brings more than its fair share of plumbing problems, the spring can be just as problematic, especially at the outset when warmer weather reveals the havoc winter wreaked, and occasional cold snips following a few warm days cause new problems of their own. Here at Garvin’s Sewer Service, we want our customers to […]
What to Do If You Have a Burst Pipe
There are few nightmarish homeowner situations worse than a burst pipe. For starters, many people don’t have the first idea what to do when this happens, but the mess alone is about as frustrating as house damages can get. The professionals at Garvin’s Sewer Service obviously can help, but there are a few things our […]
Why Only Flush Toilet Paper?
Like most women, you have been to a bathroom, whether private or public, and a sign has been prominently displayed in the stall that reads: “Please don’t flush anything but toilet paper”. While this seems straightforward, it is still confusing, especially because we are told certain products are “flushable”, including tampon cores, wipes, and paper […]
Preventing Clogged Drains by Changing Daily Habits
Nobody likes a clogged drain, not only because they can be pretty disgusting to clean out but also because in the wrong situation, they can stop some of the primary functions of your home and put a lot of water on your floor. Knowing how much people dislike these types of clogs, then, it’s a […]
The Most Common Winter Plumbing Issues
When people agree to purchase a home, they also agree to assume all the expenses that come with such an investment, and it certainly does seem like more things go wrong in the dead of winter than at any other time of year, especially when it comes to plumbing. Here at Garvin’s Sewer Service, we […]
Five Signs You Need to Call an Emergency Drain Cleaning Service
Plumbing emergencies are some of the most stressful experiences that homeowners face, mostly because few things cause as much damage to a home as water. While there are plenty of plumbing issues that do not technically qualify as emergencies, sometimes it is worth calling during off hours and arranging for a professional to address an […]
Did You Hear That? A Homeowner’s Guide to Plumbing Sounds
When you’re sitting in your home, you probably take it for granted that water will flow freely when you turn on a faucet. You may also assume that water will flow almost silently from an open faucet, with the splash of the liquid hitting the basin the only audible sign that water is flowing at […]
Common Causes of Clogged Bathroom Drains
How do you know when you need to hire a professional plumber? In general, it’s when you notice that one of your drains doesn’t seem to be functioning like it should. While a clogged drain can be problematic in the kitchen or laundry room, things can be even worse in the bathroom given the nature […]
5 Plumbing Repair Service Tips for Denver Business Owners
Plumbing repair service is on the top of the list for calls business owners don’t want to make. But, commerce is hoping in Denver. Our massive population increase over the past decade may only be greater than the gold rush! While at that time pioneers traveled from the Midwest in search of wealth from gold, […]
Do I Need a Sewer Replacement?
Sewer Replacement is a complicated and expensive service, so knowing if you truly need one is important. Garvin’s Sewer Service in Englewood has been serving the Greater Denver and Boulder area’s sewer needs since 1940. What makes us unique in the sewer replacement business is that don’t do them. Wait, a sewer company who doesn’t […]
She Was Told She Needed a Sewer Replacement But Needed This Instead: True Story
Garvin’s Sewer Service is an Englewood based sewer and drain cleaning company serving the Greater Denver area for over 75 years. They don’t replace sewer lines but rather give objective sewer scopes and free second opinions to help Englewood, Denver, and the surround areas’ homeowners peace of mind before spending thousands on sewer line replacements […]
What Is The Difference Between Plumbing Drain Cleaning and Plumbing Repair Service?
For most homeowners, learning comes through trial and error – there is no way one can prepare for every scenario or be educated on all components of home maintenance, and thankfully, they don’t have to. We trust and hire workers all the time to fill specific needs in our personal and work lives depending on […]
Sewer Cleaning in Denver – What Has Changed and Why It Matters
Sewer cleaning in Denver may not be the most exciting topic, but it is interesting to learn about how it started and where it is now, because it can determine how you spend your hard-earned money. And money is an exciting topic, especially when we are saving it! Sewer Cleaning in Denver Did you know […]
Sewer Replacement: Should You Invest or Not?
With sewer replacement costs in the tens of thousands of dollars, you may be wondering if it is worth the investment. Of course, on first thought you may feel you have no choice, it is after all, your sewer, the system that allows sewage waste to leave your home. But what you don’t know can […]
How to Know When You Need a Sewer Drain Cleaning
Is your sewer line backing up? It is never pleasant, especially when you don’t know what to do or who to call to help. For many homeowners, it seems like it happens at the most inconvenient times (not that there is ever a good time for a sewer back-up). Sometimes, you can anticipate one coming […]
What Homeowners Need To Know About Plumbing Repair Service in Denver
Colorado has experienced an unprecedented amount of residential and business growth in the last several years. In fact, according to the Denver Post, Colorado’s population increased by over 100,000 last year. That means chances are if you are reading this, you may be a new Denver resident. So, as Denver’s oldest drain and sewer company, […]
Do I Need an Emergency Plumber for a Hydro-Jet?
Earlier this week my roommate made a pan of chicken enchiladas, which happens to be one of my favorite foods. I carefully pulled the plastic container out of the fridge, put a generous serving of cheesy goodness into my bowl and put it in the microwave for one minute. Eager to devour, I plopped a […]
3 Plumbing Issues to Check Right Now
“Rain, rain, go away, come again another day!” Plumbing Issues to Check Right Now Boy, have we received tons of rain this summer! As long as the rain doesn’t turn into hail, flooding or high winds, is great for our grass and plants. However, rain can also bring some unpleasant effects as well. And, with […]
Plumbing Repair Service: Do It Yourself Plumbing or Call a Plumber?
It seems to be the way we live today- asking Siri or turning to YouTube for instructions on how to solve everything from how to win at Poker to how to fix plumbing. We have created quite a few videos to support the Do-It-Yourself people out there, but it’s important to know when to call […]
Top Issues for a Plumbing Repair Service
If you own a home, it is not a matter of IF you will need a plumbing repair service, but WHEN. And, when it comes to plumbing, usually the sooner you get the repair done, the better as unaddressed water leaks can cause big problems. The most common causes of plumbing related water damage come […]
When To Call An Emergency Plumber
Have you ever been asleep at night and awaken because you hear the sound of running water? You climb out of bed and turn on the light to see a bubble of water resting in your ceiling… You are not alone and it is times like this you don’t want to be searching for a […]
Why don’t emergency plumbing service plumbers quote the price over the phone?
If you have ever been in the position to hire emergency plumbing services, you likely have made several calls to find out just how much it will cost. You likely have heard: “We don’t quote over the phone” Some emergency plumbing contractors refuse to quote any prices over the phone. They usually will charge a […]
Plumbing Contractors Denver: 3 Things to Ask Before Hiring One
Plumbing Contractors are one of the BBB’s most complained about industries. Plumbers, along with auto mechanics are doing a ton of business each and every day of the year. Consider how many homes with running water and sewer, or for that matter, how many cars are on the road in Denver, and it’s easy to […]
Why do plumbing contractors charge the way they do?
If you have ever tried to call around to get a plumbing quote, you have likely discovered some frustrating information. Overall, there are a few ways plumbing contractors charge, and understanding it may help you be a better informed consumer and hopefully less discouraged. Here are the industry standards for how plumbing contractors charge, along […]
Emergency Sewer Cleaning vs. Preventative Sewer Cleaning
We have several customers tell us that their sewer only backs-up on major holidays. Or nights. Or weekends. While we understand they truly mean that it never happens when it’s convenient (not that it ever is wanted or easy), sewer back-ups happen 24/7/365. That is one of the reasons why Garvin’s is available all day […]
4 Reasons to Call an Emergency Plumber
Emergency plumber needed! That is never something we want to encounter, but it is part of homeownership at some point. While there is never a good time for a plumbing emergency, there are certain ones that need to be handled immediately. Letting a drip continue can lead to erosion, hidden and visual damages and even […]
Do I Need a Sewer Camera Inspection After a Cleaning?
Some drain cleaning companies offer a sewer camera inspection service after cleaning your sewer line. The truth is that in order to be 100% sure the line is clear of all roots, only a sewer camera inspection can see inside the line and make that determination. This does add an additional expense however, and is often […]
7 Tips to Reduce Clogs in Your Low Flush Toilet
Recently, in our blog titled: “Your Low Flush Toilet Isn’t Really Saving Water. Here’s why”, we talked about the scientific reasons why low flush toilets clog more often than their water-guzzling counterparts. Knowing this reason, however, doesn’t make those endless fights with your low flush toilet any less frustrating. So, we decided to offer up […]
Your Low Flush Toilet Isn’t Really Saving Water. Here’s why.
If you have a low flush toilet, whether at home or at work, you probably are frustrated by how often it seems to clog or cause back-ups. And there is actually a scientific reason why. I have two visual examples to help you understand. The first, I call The Drip. The Drip Items needed: A […]
What Is Limescale, And Does It Affect Plumbing?
Want to see something really cool and really scary? Click this link. Okay, are you back? That was limescale, and the scary part is it’s hard to tell where the pipe ends and the limescale beings. The limescale in that photo has built up over many years and, as you can probably guess, is seriously […]
Should You Consider Having a Plumber Install A Home Water Filtration System?
With the recent crisis in Flint, Michigan, regarding the high levels of toxins in their water supply, more citizens have been paying closer attention to the water supply here in Denver and all along the front range. People have been asking plumbers if installing a permanent water filter in their homes is a good idea. […]
Happy New Years! Make a Resolution To Take Care of Your Plumbing
On behalf of Garvin’s Sewer Service, we’d like to wish you a happy and healthy new year! 2017 will make the 77th year that Garvin’s has been serving the people of Denver and all along the Front Range. We started with rooter service back in the days of less-than-awesome public plumbing, continued with excellent drain […]
What is PVC, and Why Is It So Amazing?
About a year ago we wrote a blog about the many materials that have been used over the years as sewer pipes. The most common types of materials that have been used through the ages are clay, concrete, Orangeburg (wood pulp and tar), transite (concrete and…gulp…asbestos), and cast iron. Each of these had their place […]
Some Common Questions We Get When Performing Drain Cleaning Services
While we work with our hands all days long, we also work with people. That’s why we spend so much time hiring the right plumbers and training them on how to best enter a person’s home and interact with our wonderful customers. One aspect of dealing with customers is answering their questions. While some people […]
What Is Backflow Prevention, and Why Is It So Important?
When you do something day after day, thinking about it all day long and talking about it with our coworkers, sometimes it’s hard to remember that people who aren’t in the industry might be completely baffled by some terminology and technology we use. Today we’re going to discuss a concept in plumbing that many people […]
Why Not Let Your Plumber Upgrade Your Fixtures?
Not every plumbing service is about fixing your freshwater pipes or performing drain cleaning. Sometimes it’s about installing new fixtures in homes, and our plumbers are more than up to the challenge. Of course, the reasons people replace these parts of their home can vary, depending on the fixture at hand. Let’s take a look […]
Happy Holidays! Here’s What Can Go Wrong With Your Plumbing!
Here we are just a couple of weeks away from the many festive holidays of December. Maybe you’ve hung lights, perhaps invited some sort of tree into your home for a few weeks. If you’re like us, you’re running around trying to get those last minute items for everyone on your list. Of course, with […]
Why We’ll Never Push You Into Plumbing Services
We’ve mentioned it before and we’re certain to mention it again: we’ve been in the plumbing services and sewer cleaning business for more than 75 years. And as you can probably guess, a local company doesn’t stay in business for 75 years by ripping off their customers left and right. A company stays in […]
3 More Things To Watch Out For In Unscrupulous Plumbers
In our previous blog we discussed the first four things you should watch out for when hiring a plumber, including their lack of history with clients, a price so low that no one could offer it and make money, and the fact that they’re going door to door looking for work. Any of these is […]
Hiring A Plumber In The Denver Area? Here Are Four Red Flags To Watch For
When you’re in need of plumbing services, you don’t want to mess around. After all, getting fresh water into your home and getting rid of wastewater are two of the most important aspects of an advanced civilization. (It might sound like we’re exaggerating, but we’d pick clean drinking water and a flush toilet over an iPhone […]
How To Spot the Signs of Leaky Freshwater Pipes
You come home from eating at a nice restaurant in Lodo and park your car in the garage. Uh oh, there’s water coming from under the door! You rush in and discover that there’s a burst pipe that’s spewing gallons and gallons of water all over your kitchen! You obviously need plumbing repair, and fast! […]
One More Blog About How Your Local Plumber Can Save You Water in Denver
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Denver is a pretty dry place. While it’s not technically a desert, we get less than twice the amount of rainfall of many deserts. When summer rolls around, we hate to hear about watering restrictions as much as you do. As your local plumbing service experts, […]
How To Prevent Drain Cleaning On Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is here once again, and that means food, family, and friends. If you’re hosting, it also means a large number of people in your home that might not know the rules about how to treat your plumbing. That means there might be trouble in your future, and while we’re here to help if something […]
The Appliance Upgrades That Can Save You Water
In our most recent blog we discussed some of the best ways to save water in the Denver area, changes that are so easy that you don’t even need to call your local plumber to make them happen. These included replacing your lawn with xeriscaping so that you don’t need to use water, replacing your […]
3 Ways Your Local Plumber Wants To Help You Conserve Water
Here at Garvin’s, we’re big believers in letting the experts do their jobs. When the furnace breaks down, we call our favorite HVAC company. If we need a transmission rebuilt on one of our plumbing trucks, we’re not heading out there ourselves with a screwdriver. So, even though we make our living as professional plumbers, […]
How To Fix a Frozen (But Not Broken) Pipe
Not every frozen pipe bursts. While gushing water is certainly the most obvious indication that you have a broken pipe, sometimes it’s considerably more subtle than that. If you return from vacation and you turn on the faucet only to discover that no water is coming out, you probably have a frozen pipe. Frozen […]
Keep Your Garbage Disposal Running
An overlooked aspect of healthy plumbing and drains is your garbage disposal. When food and other miscellaneous items don’t pass through a garbage disposal properly, the entirety of your kitchen sink plumbing can go down the drain pretty quickly (we’re sorry). We have some tips to help you keep your garbage disposal in running order. […]
Protecting Those Indoor Pipes this Winter
In our last blog we told you about the most important outdoor pipes to protect now that winter is coming, including sprinkler systems, outdoor spigots, and swimming pools. Ignore prepping those pipes for winter and you’ll be calling an emergency plumber this spring. Now it’s time to talk about those indoor pipes. In most […]
How Do You Avoid Frozen Pipes Outdoors This Winter?
Winter may still be a couple of months away…aww, who are we kidding? It’s Colorado! While we have actually had something of a fall over the last few weeks, winter could show up tomorrow and send us well below freezing. So with the coldest days not too far away, it’s time to start looking at […]
Just Say No to Drano!
When you experience a clog in your toilet or drain, how likely are you to reach for Drano, Liquid Plumr, or another chemical clog remover? Are you sure that’s a good idea? Plumbers strongly recommend against using chemical drain clog removers, and it’s not just because it helps their business. Let’s explore the reasons to […]
Plumber and Sewer Cleaner: At The Movies
No, this isn’t a blog about plumbers who go to the movies. (Not to say that we don’t go to movies; we’re humans living in America, of course we go to movies.) This is a blog about plumbers who are in movies. It was inspired by a recent blog we wrote about the Mario brothers, […]
4 Most Common Reasons the Front Range is Calling Their Local Plumber
When you think of drain cleaning and plumbing services, you probably associate sewer cleaners and plumbers with the last task that they performed for you. Did they replace a toilet for you? Were they plumbing contractors who installed all the pipes in your new home? Or was it 3:00 am and you needed an emergency […]
Leaky Faucets: Why You Need to Fix Them Today!
Do you have a leaky faucet active in your household that you keep forgetting about? Perhaps you’ve even attempted to fix the faucet yourself to no avail. Either way, our local plumbers are here to take on that leaky faucet for you and call it a day. Remember that the longer you wait to fix […]
Putting Pumpkin Parts Down The Drain Will Have You Calling an Emergency Plumber
Don’t Put Pumpkin Parts Down the Drain We’ve written on this subject before, but now that we’re a month out from Halloween we figured it would be a good idea to revisit it. As you local plumber, we consider it a public service to help you take care of your drains and your sewer system. […]
The Two Most Famous Plumbers of All Time Don’t Really Exist
Because of humanity’s interest in getting fresh drinking water and getting as far away from waste as quickly as possible, it’s not surprising that the idea of sewer cleaners and plumbing contractors are in the public consciousness. When that happens, it’s not surprising that these characters will seep into the popular culture, or, to use […]
Make Use of Grease and Cooking Oil and You Won’t Need Sewer Drain Cleaning Quite So Soon
If you’ve been reading the Garvin’s Sewer Service Clog Blog for any amount of time, you know our disgust for grease. After all, grease that heads down the kitchen sink is one of the main reasons that people need sewer drain cleaning sooner than they normally would. (The oil that some people pour down their […]
Flush the Idea of Flushing any of This
Or: How to See Your Local Plumber Much More Often than Desired As homeowners ourselves, we have to admit that we’ve made our fair share of home care and maintenance mistakes. That application of weed killer that effectively killed our lawn along with the dandelions; that well-meaning attempt at tree trimming that cost us our […]
Sticking a Scope in Unmentionable Places
And Why it’s Good Nobody really wants to spend their time thinking about their sewer line. And, even as plumbers, we don’t blame them. What’s found underground is not for the squeamish and really shouldn’t be mentioned in from of certain company. But come on now. We’re all adults. We need to get real about […]
What Does Your Local Plumber Know About Low Flow Toilets?
If you’re young — let’s say under the age of 25 — you might not remember a time before the low flow toilets. The way toilets in new homes work is the way they’ve always worked in your lifetime. Stuff has always gone down the drain in the same way, right? But many of you […]
Toilet Paper Hanging Direction: Your Local Plumber Weighs In
When it comes to sewer cleaning, the only thing we deal with more than roots is toilet paper. In fact, as we deal more and more with newer homes that have PVC sewer pipes, we’re seeing fewer root problems and more toilet paper problems, because people keep buying stronger and stronger toilet paper that just […]
What’s The Difference Between Hard Water and Soft Water? Your Local Plumber Knows
Throughout your life you’ve probably heard about soft and hard water, and maybe you even know which one makes a better lather and which one just kind of sits there on the soap. But we bet you could you a refresher on the differences between hard and soft water and how they affect your life. […]
Ask Your Local Plumber: What Do You Think About…
Most people like to talk about what they do, if only to break the ice when meeting someone new. Of course, we often get questions about the plumbing services we perform, such as “what’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever pulled out with a sewer snake.” (Answer: we try to send the problem on its way, […]
The Bidet: Will Your Local Plumber Be Fixing Yours?
Boy, we’ve been talking about toilets lately, haven’t we? Well, it only makes sense; as your local plumbers, we’re dealing with the water coming into and leaving toilets all the time. Most toilets in America are very similar. They consist of the bowl, the tanks, and the plumbing that’s associated with them. Sure, the […]
Is The American Way The Best Plumbing in the World? Let’s Look at the Toilet Again
Here in America, we love our plumbing. We always like to have a bathroom at the ready, and whenever we’re out and about we like to be able to find a clean bathroom wherever we are. We loathe “bathroom is for paying customers only” signs. In fact, there’s even an app that will guide you […]
So Where Did The Flush Toilet Come From?
In our last blog we went into detail — and let’s just admit it, too much detail — about the history of pre-flush toilets. Digging a hole, digging a latrine, feeding it to the…no, let’s not bring that back up (lest it bring up our last meal). We’re proud of what we do as […]
A Plumber’s Story: The History of the Toilet!
Here at Garvin’s Sewer Service, we deal with toilets every day. Sometimes it’s the incoming water that’s causing problems and we have to provide plumbing services. Other times it’s the blackwater we’re dealing with and have to deal with some drain cleaning. Still other times the toilet has seen better days (because it’s seen a […]
Where the Front Range’s Water Comes From
Because we’re a plumbing company, we deal with water every day. Lots and lots of water. Maybe we’re performing basic plumbing services and fixing a leak in someone’s freshwater pipes, or perhaps we’re taking care of their drain cleaning so that the water can go on its merry way. But where does all that water […]
Saving You Money On Your Water Bill With Proper Plumbing Services
We’re locally-owned here at Garvin’s, and we like to think of you as our neighbors. Because of that, we want to give you the best possible advice when it comes to saving you money on your water bill. After all, we’re subject to the same water restrictions as you are during Denver droughts, and we […]
You Might Be Calling Your Local Plumber Sooner Than You Think
There’s the old saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Grammatical problems aside, it’s a pretty good maxim. But when it comes to how you feel about your drain cleaning and plumbing situation, it can get you into hot water (or, in this case, up to your ankles in cold water). Here are a […]
“Why Is My Toilet So Noisy?” Your Denver Plumber Has the Answers
Here at the Garvin’s blog we’ve answered all sorts of questions over the years. And in over 200 blogs about drain cleaning, sewer cleaning, plumbing services, and water heater repair, we’ve answered a lot of questions. But one we’ve never tackled is this: what is your toilet saying to you when it starts talking? Now […]
If You Have A Flooded Basement, Here’s What To Do Before Calling An Emergency Plumber
A flooded basement is one of the most devastating home disasters that many of us will ever face. At the very least you’ll lose old books, Christmas decorations, and exercise equipment. At worst you’ll lose everything from the basement bedroom, your home theater, and family photos. At Garvin’s, we want to make this trying time […]
Customer Feedback Regarding Our Plumbing Service and Drain Cleaning
Every so often we like to take a look at our testimonials and see what our customers are saying about us. Actually, we do it all the time, because we’re always interested in what our customers have to say. But sometimes we like to take the time to respond to them in a public forum. […]
5 Way To Clean Your Drain Yourself…That You’ll Seriously Regret
Here at Garvin’s, we’ve always been plumbers. After all, it’s a family-owned business and has been passed down through three generations now. We grew up knowing what will and won’t work on a simple drain clog, and since we have the professional equipment we’ve always been able to take care of our own home plumbing […]
Toilet Seat Up Or Down? Your Local Plumber Answers The Universe’s Biggest Question
We don’t usually like to get too political around here, but it’s a highly-political year and we thought we’d tackle the biggest debate the world has ever known. And you’ll get a definitive answer. You’re welcome. As plumbers, we believe that we have a pretty good idea of what’s going on in people’s bathrooms. That’s […]
You Know Who To Call For Plumbing Service. But Do You Know Who To Avoid?
With over 80 years of sewer and plumbing service to the people of the Denver area, Garvin’s has built the reputation it deserves as the go-to plumbers along the Front Range. Being in business so long, we’ve seen many plumbing companies come and go. Sometimes it’s because of poor management, but more often it’s because […]
3 Very Different Times Garvin's Can Be There For Your Plumbing Services Needs
Here at Garvin’s Sewer Service, we are full-service plumbing contractors. As our name suggests, we can tackle your sewer cleaning needs with ease, because we have the equipment and the knowhow to tackle any clog you send our way. But what about plumbing service? Sure, we handle the water going out, but what about all […]
3 Ways To Prepare For A Flooded Basement
Very few people ever expect to come home and find a flooded basement. While there are times a homeowner may be watching the news and waiting for a nearby river crest, most of the time a flooded basement is a surprise. A freshwater pipe has burst, a sewer has backed up, or a light well […]
How Best To Avoid Needing an Emergency Plumber
At one time or another in your life, you’re going to need a plumber. But with a little bit of information, it becomes less likely that you’ll need an emergency plumber. Here are some tips that can ensure that your chances of needing a 24-hour plumber in the middle the night are diminished. Know […]
4 Reasons Why Garvin’s Is The Company To Call When You Need Emergency Plumbing Services
It probably started as a drip that you didn’t even notice. Maybe it was coming from your sink, a tiny leak under the basin that had been working loose for a decade. Or maybe it was the drain pipe that took a sink’s wastewater from the bathroom to the main sewer line, and the […]
Why You Need A Sump Pump
There are many people over the years who have thought they didn’t need a sump pump, and the next thing they know they’re throwing out their grandparents’ wedding photos because the paper has become ruined. So the question becomes, do you need a sump pump? The fact is, more people should have a sump […]
3 Reasons To Get That Leak Taken Care Of
In our last blog we talked about the many ways that you can check for hidden leaks in your home if you suspect something is up. These included checking your monthly water bill, your water meter outside, and a few other handy tips to ensure that you can detect the leaks before you have […]
4 Ways To Check For Hidden Leaks In Your Home
Leaks can cause of host of problems in your home. Not only can they waste water and cost you money, but they can also cause big problems in the unseen areas of your home, including mold, rotting, and eventually drywall collapse. At Garvin’s, our plumbers would rather give you a little advice than to […]
Don’t Let Your Sump Pump Repair Wait Too Long
Remember the floods in 2013? Many people in our service area, including those in Longmont, got some serious trouble sent their way from up the canyon. Most of them never saw it coming, simply because it wasn’t supposed to happen where they were. Many of the houses were nowhere near the river, and they […]
Watch Out For These Signs That Mean You’ll Soon Be Needing Water Heater Repair
When your water heater goes out completely, it’s pretty obvious. Your dishes don’t get as clean, there’s no hot water in your washing machine, and, most important, your morning shower becomes a horrible experience! If your water heater just up and quits one day, it’s pretty obvious that it’s time to call your local […]
More Than Just a Sewer Service! Garvin’s Is Your Plumber For All Plumbing Repairs!
So, who are we? We’re Garvin’s Sewer Service, right? After all, there are around 200 blogs on this site telling you mostly about our sewer cleaning, drain cleaning, rooter service, and giving you the ins and outs related to our sewer camera. What’s that name, again? Garvin’s SEWER Service? That’s all about dealing with blackwater. […]
April 25th: National Plumber’s Day!
Here’s a fun website for you: It’s checkiday.com, and it catalogues all of the weird “National Whatever Days” you might have heard about. Did you know that June 14th is National Strawberry Shortcake Day? Or that September 21st is National Pecan Cookie Day? Well, we’d like to welcome you to April 25th, National Plumber’s […]
Time To Respond To Some More of Our Sewer Cleaning Reviews
Every so often we like to respond to some of our customer comments regarding our sewer cleaning, rooter service, drain cleaning, and sewer camera services. Today we have a few people from along the front range who told us about their experience with Garvin’s. “Garvin’s…came out because I had moved into a new home. […]
Why Go With Gavin’s For 24/7 Sewer Drain Cleaning?
In today’s world, it’s pretty standard that companies that offer emergency services, such as urgent sewer cleaning, are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As soon as the first company offers it (which was probably Garvin’s, as long as we’ve been around in Denver), every company needs to jump on so […]
The Basics Of Becoming a Plumber
Have you ever wondered what kind of training occurs for someone who wishes to become a plumber? For those who have the inclination, it’s actually a great career path. Here are the basics of how to become a plumber. Make sure you have a GED or High School Diploma It’s should come as no […]
Breaking Down The Declaration Of Service For Our Drain and Sewer Cleaning Customers
At Garvin’s Sewer Service, we believe in being as upfront about everything as much as possible. For instance, we tell you that we’re not going to charge you extra on weekends, we give you direct quotes on how much something should cost, and are going to be honest with you regarding what your home […]
Can You Do Without Plumbing and Sewer Cleaning?
Okay, so let’s say that you wake up tomorrow and there’s a leprechaun sitting at the foot of your bed. And he has nothing to do with Lucky Charms. Now, we’ll pause for a moment to let you imagine that. (We’ll also stop to let you wonder why someone would ever start a blog […]
Digging Into The Reasons You Might Need Rooter Service in Denver
While Denver isn’t really the oldest city in the country, it doesn’t exactly mean that our sewer pipes are exactly new. In fact, because the most reliable sewer pipes didn’t come along until around 30 or 40 years ago, Denver will suffer many of the same problems as any other city in the country. […]
Would You Like To Be A Plumber Or A Sewer Drain Cleaning Service Expert?
Did you know that there’s a serious shortage of plumbers in our country? There’s more and more plumbing work due to a growing population in America, while there are fewer and fewer plumbers to do those jobs. It’s Never Not Needed! Okay, forgive the double negative, but plumbing and drain cleaning services will never not […]
What Else Are People Saying About Our Sewer and Drain Cleaning Service?
Some time ago we responded to a number of testimonials that we’d received from people in Denver and the surrounding areas. We’re always happy to respond to what people are saying about our drain cleaning service, so let’s take a look at what our customers are saying about Garvin’s. “Because I know Garvin’s can […]
5 Silly Things You Shouldn’t Do With Your Grease
Okay, so you’ve just cooked a roast in the crockpot or cooked up a yummy batch of bacon. The bacon grease is pretty obvious, as it sloshes around the pan. The roast is a little bit less so, because you’re thinking “should I make gravy from it?” (Nobody ever makes gravy from bacon grease. […]
What Affects Sewer Line Replacement Costs?
We talked in our last blog about the different options you might have when you need sewer line replacement. If you can’t take advantage of a less invasive service such as sewer bursting or sewer lining, you might need sewer line replacement. Of course, the first step to finding out if you need sewer […]
After We’ve Verified That You Need Sewer Line Repair With Our Sewer Scope, What Are Your Options?
Here at Garvin’s Sewer Service we don’t replace sewer lines. We have to admit, we’re pretty amazing at sewer cleaning, rooter service, and using a sewer snake. But when it comes to sewer line repair and replacement, we like to think of ourselves as a third-party consultant. In this way, you can know that […]
How Rooter Service Heals Your Home
Have you ever thought about how your home resembles your body? You furnace system is the lungs, your electrical system is the veins, and the drain and sewer systems are the…well, heck that really does work, doesn’t it, because the sewer system is the waste system. So, when your body’s waste system isn’t working […]
Advantages of Preventive Drain and Sewer Cleaning For Your Business
If you own a business that has a considerable amount of drains that are likely to get clogged “at some time or another,” we’d like to tell you about our preventive maintenance plan. When you take advantage of our preventive sewer cleaning service we set up a time with you so that your drain […]
A Response To Some of Drain Cleaning and Sewer Service Customers
At Garvin’s Sewer Service we do absolutely everything we can to uphold our reputation being reasonably priced and honorable. You’ve heard that happy customers tell three friends that they’re happy with service, while an unhappy customer will tell 10 or more (and in today’s world, they can tell everyone in a city with various […]
How Our Lifelong Customers Use Our Sewer Service
We’ve mentioned it many times before, and we’re happy to keep telling you: Garvin’s Sewer Service has been serving the Denver area for more than 75 years. We’re extra proud of that fact because we’ve seen so many other sewer companies come and go, so it’s pretty obvious that we’re doing something right! We […]
Top 3 Reasons You Want To Avoid Sewer Replacement
Here at Garvin’s, we have to wince every time we drive by someone’s house and see that they’re having their entire sewer line replaced. We hope the homeowner took every step possible before they devoted themselves to such an endeavor, and that the company that they’ve chosen to replace their sewer line is one […]
The Advantages of Knowing Your Yard: Sewer, Water, Electrical, Cable, and Gas
There’s so much going on underneath the ground that we never even think about, and we’re not talking about the lives of worms, insects, and other animals. There are pipes and cables that are connecting your home to the rest of the world, and it’s important to keep those lines safe so that you’re […]
You’ve Got A Clogged Kitchen Sink… How Bad Can It Be?
Let’s say you finish doing your dishes and you reach over to flip the switch on the garbage disposal. But instead grinding for a couple of seconds and then letting everything swirl down the drain, dirty water jumps out of the other side of your sink. Or the water in the garbage disposal just […]
The Worst Trees That Require You To Get Repeated Rooter Service
In previous posts we told you about the problems of planting trees directly over your water and sewer lines, because eventually the roots are going to get in and you’re going to need repeated sewer service. But there are some trees that are going to cause you exponentially more problems because of the way their […]
No Paper Towels! Why They’ll Lead You To Sewer Cleaning Faster Than You Think
Some of you might remember the short-lived television show “The PJ’s,” a stop-motion animated series that followed a building superintendent named Thurgood (voiced by Eddie Murphy) in “the projects.” In the very first episode there’s an exchange between the superintendent and a voodoo practitioner that rings true in all sewer services expert’s hearts: […]
2 Questions To Ask When Your Sewer Cleaning Expert Is About To Leave
Whether we’re at your home for emergency sewer cleaning or just preventive rooter service, it’s always nice to see a technician go. As nice as we are, it’s great to have your service taken care of an off your list, and we understand if you’ve got no problems saying goodbye so that you can […]
What We Know That You Don’t: The Knowledge That Guides Our Sewer Drain Cleaning
In the last blog we talked about everything that we need to learn from you when you’re in need of emergency sewer service, stuff like the history of the problem, if other sewer companies have tried to fix the problem, and if you’ve tried to fix the problem with chemical drain cleaners. But what […]
How To Talk To Your Sewer Drain Cleaning Expert
As you can imagine, we’ve gotten some pretty frantic calls over the years. People who have sewage blocking their toilet. People who have sewage flowing up out of their toilet. People who have sewage actively shooting out of their toilet. All of the people who called had a perfectly valid reason to be frantic! […]
Getting To Know The Sewer Camera A Bit Better
Sometimes sewer cleaning goes perfectly smooth…you need rooter service, we send down the sewer snake, it chops up everything, you sigh with relief that your drains work again, and we head off to fight clogs in another neighborhood. But sometimes there are bigger problems…clogs that just don’t want to go away or pipes that have […]
Roots In The Sewer Line? It’s Just The Beginning of Your Problem
It’s been awhile since we’ve done a good review of exactly what’s happening when you have roots in the sewer line. Here are the steps that happen before you give Garvin’s a call for sewer cleaning. The Cause: Why the heck are roots even in there in the first place? Well, they’re looking for […]
Clogged Kitchen Sink? Are You Sure?
Sometimes the reason for a clog is pretty obvious…you make some ill advised attempt to shred potato peels in your garbage disposal and then suddenly the water doesn’t go down anymore. Put two and two together…the peels caused the clog. But it’s not always so obvious why your water sticks around like your slacker brother-in-law […]
What Drain Cleaning Equipment Would We Put In A Sewer Museum?
Okay, before you start laughing, you need to know that a sewer museum does exist…it’s the Paris Sewer Museum, and it’s been giving tours since 1889. The sewer tour takes an unused part of the old sewer system and details its evolution from the 14th century up to the modern forms of water treatment. Of […]
The Oil You Don’t Realize You’re Sending Down Your Sink
We’re here to tell you more about why you shouldn’t put oil and grease down your drains. Go ahead, get it out of your system…yell at us for once again telling you about the dangers to your drain and sewer system. We harp on it so much you’d think we were heath teachers telling […]
Different Types of Pipes We Have To Know As A Drain Company
When you were looking at buying a home, you probably spent a lot of time finding out about it and its condition; after all, that’s why you hired a home inspector. You want to know when the roof was put on, how old the furnace is, if the electricity is up to date. And […]
Do People Need A Drain Company More Or Less Than They Used To?
Here at Garvin’s we’ve been serving Denver and the front range with drain cleaning for over 75 years, and have seen business grow ever since. One big reasons for the growth is, of course, the growth of Denver. Another reason, the one we’re most proud of, is that we gain business by word of […]
What’s Going On With My Dishwasher Drain?
Electric dishwashers have been around for nearly a century, but most didn’t make it into home until sometime between the 1950’s and 1970’s. By the 1980’s just about every new home was build with a dedicated space for the dishwasher. We can’t deny that dishwashers are amazing. After all, they’re dealing with every kind […]
How Your Washing Machine Washing Can Lead To Premature Drain Cleaning
For most of our blogs, we write about the three main drains that contribute to the most common needs for drain cleaning: the sinks, the toilets, and the shower drains. Sinks because people send way too much grease down, toilets because people flush things they shouldn’t, and showers because people lose a lot of hair […]
4 Signs That You Might Be Needing Sewer Cleaning Soon
Unless you’ve just moved in, you know your home pretty well even if you don’t realize it. You can’t consciously describe the normal blowing of your furnace in winter, but you certainly can tell when it starts making a different noise. You seldom notice the refrigerator cycling on, but when it goes off with […]
Avoid The Grease Monster!
There’s a cute series of books by Ursula Vernon called Dragonbreath. It’s very popular among young kids of grade school age, because it mixes regular prose with lots of graphic novel pictures. It’s a great bridge to chapter books without pictures. The main character, Dragonbreath (who’s a dragon, not a sewer snake), is a […]
Famous Sewers From Hollywood
Have you ever been to the Internet Movie Database? (www.imdb.com) It’s hard to describe it without using the word “depository.” It’s the website where you reference, cross-reference, and find out just about anything you want to about a particular movie. So when we were thinking about sewers in movies (we think about sewers a […]
Sewer Snake? No, Sewer Turtles!
In a recent blog we made reference to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, who live in the New York sewers and fight crime in their Turtlemobile. And it got us thinking…how on earth did they never face an enemy named Sewer Snake?! That episode would write itself! And as Denver’s premier sewer service, we […]
The Sewer Drain Cleaning That You’re Responsible For
We try to blog here at Garvin’s as much as possible, and sometimes we forget what we’ve covered and what we haven’t. Well, we just realized that we’ve never broken down the different parts of your sewer system, so here it is. We’ll also tell you exactly what parts of sewer drain cleaning are […]
Things That Even Sewer Cleaning Can’t Prevent
Here at Garvin’s Sewer Service, we’re always interested in helping you prevent the need for emergency sewer cleaning. Even though it’s how we make our living, we’d rather see you for preventive drain cleaning than to have to rush to your house because you’re ankle deep in blackwater. We’d rather establish a relationship with […]
Preventive Sewer Cleaning Stops Your House From Becoming A Biohazard Zone
In the last blog we talked about the different types of water in your house: the whitewater coming in, the blackwater goes out, and the graywater that some buildings can divert in order to water plants. What’s going out of your house and into the sewer system right now is called blackwater. That’s water than […]
The Different Types of Water Coming Into And Leaving Your Home
We deal with water every day, and our goal is to always make sure that the water gets to where it’s supposed to be. If we’re working on plumbing, we make sure that the water in your pipes reaches your sink instead of flowing onto your floor, and that your wastewater heads out of […]
What’s Actually Going On In My Drain?
Here at Garvin’s we’ve told you many times “don’t pour this” or “don’t flush that.” We know we sound like broken record, but preventing things from going down the drain is the first step to keeping a clean drain. But sometimes we forget to tell you exactly why you shouldn’t be sending these things down […]
Have A Furry Friend? Here’s How To Take Care Of Them While Avoiding Drain Cleaning Service
In the United States, there are up to 80 million dogs and 96 million cats. Around 35% of households has either a dog or a cat, and that’s not including other furry friends including rabbits, ferrets, pet pigs, mice, rats, and sugar gliders. Every animal comes with particular quirks of pet ownership, and some of […]
“Just Because It Goes Down The Drain…” More Stuff People Flush That Leads To Sewer Drain Cleaning
It never seems to end, does it, the long list of stuff you shouldn’t be sending down your toilet. But in some ways, it makes sense. Toilets are there for taking a few select “items” away from your home. It’s not a magic trash can into which you can put anything and it will […]
Merry Christmas! Watch Out For These Things That Can Go Wrong With Your Sewer Drain During The Holidays
The holidays are here, and with it come the guests! Unfortunately, that means that your sewer lines might be under more duress than usual. Here are a few pieces of advice to help you survive the holidays without having to call for emergency sewer cleaning service. When You’re Cleaning The House: If you’re having people […]
Buying A Pre-existing Home? Make Sure You Let The Professionals Take Care Of Your Sewer Inspection
If you’re about to buy a pre-owned home, you’ve probably been told that a sewer inspection is a good idea. We wholeheartedly agree with this, because you never know the information that the previous homeowner might be holding back from you regarding the health of the soon-to-be-yours sewer system. We’ve noticed a trend lately […]
Ways Technology Has Changed Rooter Service and Drain Cleaning
When you think about the changing face of technology, your first thought is probably about cell phone, computers, or the way that more and more of your home appliances are getting smarter and smarter (making us feel dumber and dumber!) But in our 75 years at Garvin’s Sewer Service, things have really changed technologically. […]
The Advantages of Having Women At The Helm Of Your Sewer Cleaning
As you might know from the big banner at the front of our site, Garvin’s just celebrated its 75th year in business, all of them serving Denver and the surrounding area. Russell P. Garvin started it as Denver’s first rooter service back in 1940, and passed it on to his great-nephew Kenneth Aston in […]
It’s A Trap! The Importance Of Grease Traps In Commercial Drain Cleaning
If you run a restaurant, you know just what grease can do to your sewer system. If your grease traps aren’t properly cleaned, fats, oils and greases (FOGs) can wreak havoc in your pipes and cause clogs like you wouldn’t believe. Grease traps are a requirement for all restaurants, whether you’re a fast food […]
Sewer Drain Cleaning Differences In A Cold Climate
Cold yet? Here in the middle of December in Denver it can get pretty bad, and it’s unlikely we’re in the middle of the worst of it…January and February are usually even colder. Because we live in a part of the country that has seasons, it got us thinking about how these seasons affects […]
Watching Out For The Environment: Rooter Service Is The Way To Go
We’ve talked many times about the importance of keeping chemical drain cleaners out of your drain. It’s simply bad on so many levels. It can eat at your pipes, it offers only a short-term fix, and you’re bringing poisons into your home that don’t need to be there. But if you’re concerned about the […]
Why So Many Drain Cleaning Calls On Monday?
Here at Garvin’s, we’re ready to go. What that means is that you can call us 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week, 365-days-a-year (and even February 29th this year!) and we’ll be there to take care of your unscheduled sewer emergency. But what if it’s not an emergency? What if something happens over the weekend but it’s not […]
The Sewer Snake: 7 Benefits To Having A Professional Take Care Of It
You might be a do-it-yourself kind of person, and we respect that. There are lots of projects around the house that can be taken care of and save you a lot of money. So go ahead, frame that bathroom, replace that chandelier, build a deck! So when you start thinking “maybe I’ll just rent […]
5 Things A Typical Sewer Drain Company Won’t Tell You…But We Will!
There are many reasons that a company might clam up when it comes to your sewer drain system. After all, if they don’t tell you the problems to avoid, maybe you’ll make them again and have to call them back for more repairs. Here at Garvin’s we’re very interested in being your go-to when […]
Get Preventive Sewer Drain Cleaning and You Can Avoid The Horrors Of A Backup
If you’ve ever experienced sewage in your basement, you know what a terrible situation it can be. And if you haven’t, be glad, because it’s just the beginning of problems that are going to last for months. We’ll get this out of the way first…one way to prevent many instances of sewage backing up is […]
One More Thing About Garbage Disposal Installation and Proper Drain Cleaning
We talked at length recently about the right way to treat your garbage disposal so that the stuff you send down it doesn’t gum it up, cause it to stop working, and lead to unnecessary drain cleaning. But there are a few things that can happen even if you’re taking care of it. Keep […]
Keeping The Wrong Stuff Out Of Your Garbage Disposal Prevents Unnecessary Drain Cleaning
Garbage disposals are pretty cool, we have to admit. It’s great when you’re cleaning plates after a meal and don’t want it to stink up the kitchen by having it sit in the trash. It’s also a great alternative to sink stoppers, which can be difficult to keep clean and keep on top of. When […]
4 Reasons People Call Garvin’s For Rooter Service
Here’s something that’s not a secret, even though we don’t like to admit it…when it comes to sewer cleaning in Denver and its suburbs, there’s more than one company you can go to for rooter service. Not really shocking, is it? So you might wonder why so many people choose Garvin’s Sewer Service when […]
Have A Funky Smell Coming From Your Sewer Drain? Here’s What It Could Be
If you walk into a room and smell something bad, you might not know exactly what it is at first. Did someone microwave salmon? Did someone drop an egg behind the refrigerator? Maybe someone forgot to flush the toilet. In these cases, we’ll let you take care of them…sewer cleaning service doesn’t usually involve […]
4 Sewer Drain Problems That Are Almost Impossible To Avoid
There are precautions you can take to avoid the need for constant sewer drain cleaning, but other things aren’t so easy to avoid. For instance: Previous owners: If you’ve moved into a house that was previously owned, there’s a good chance that some of the stuff that they sent down the drain is still […]
What’s In Drain Cleaner? And Why Doesn’t It Work In Sewer Drain Cleaning?
We understand that there is a certain temptation that comes with chemical drain cleaners. After all, you simply have to go to the store, pay your $7 for some Drano or Liquid Plumr, and you’re good to go, right? Well, not really. Chemical drain cleaners are one thing we rail against here at Garvin’s […]
What Is A Sewer Jetter?
You know, over the years in this blog we’ve talked quite a bit about rooter service. Most of the time we’ve referred to the mechanical sewer snakes that head down the pipe and grind everything in their path and on all sides of the pipe, taking care of grease, toilet paper clogs, and all […]
If You Manage Hotels and Motels In Denver, Drain Cleaning Should Be A Top Priority
Denver has its share of great hotels and just okay hotels. Same when it come to motels. But whether you manage one or a dozen, there’s one thing that should be at the top of your list…drain cleaning. Why is this, you might ask, when everything seems to be running fine You Can’t Control […]
Why You’ll Want To Have A Sewer Inspection Before You Buy A House
So you’re looking for a house…congratulations! It can be an exciting time, but as excited as you are you don’t want to rush the process and forget some very important steps. If you’re buying a pre-existing house, you’re going to call a house inspector to check everything out. He’ll make sure the furnace works, that […]
You Can’t Learn Everything From About Drain Cleaning From The Clog Blog, So Like Us On Facebook!
At Garvin’s, we try to keep in touch with our customers as much as possible. That’s one reasons we keep this Clog Blog going, but we certainly know that there aren’t that many people who bookmark it and read every post. And it’s a shame, too, because we really do offer a lot of great […]
3 Reasons You Might Need Us To Send Down A Sewer Camera
We admit it…most of the time we like to root first and ask questions later. If all of your drains are running slow and it’s the first time this is happening to you (or even the first time in a year), it’s unlikely we’re going to suggest you opt for an expensive sewer camera inspection […]
Why Veterinary Clinics And Pet Stores Need Constant Drain Cleaning Service
If you ask most people what kind of businesses need drain cleaning or need the use of a good sewer jetter, most would probably say restaurants or maybe a hair salon. Not many would think “veterinary clinic” or “pet store.” But when you consider it, it makes a lot of sense that any company […]
When Your Car Wash Needs Commercial Drain Cleaning, Give Garvin’s Sewer Service A Call!
Most people who go to a car wash never even think about the water. Well, that’s not true; they think about the water that’s coming down and hitting their car, but they never think about where it goes once it rolls off their hood. Here at Garvin’s Sewer Service, we actually think about that […]
Run A Hair Salon? Our Preventive Maintenance Drain Cleaning Will Keep You Running
Has there ever been a business more in need of professional drain cleaning that a hair salon? After all, you’re constantly sending one of the most notorious drain cloggers right down the pipe! Here are Garvin’s, we’re dedicated to commercial plumbing and every business that needs drain cleaning. And when it comes to hair salons, […]
Sewer Cleaners For Car Lots and Garages
Here at Garvin’s, we’ve been serving Denver’s houses for over 75 years. And most of the customers in those houses think that that’s all we do, but they’d be very wrong. After all, businesses all over the metro area need us to take care of their drains both inside and outside. Car lots are a […]
Hey Laundromats! How Long Until You Need Drain Cleaning Services?
If you’re a laundromat, you’re going to need a professional drain cleaning service sooner rather than later. After all, your business runs on water and the process of removing dirt from clothes…and all of that dirt and grime has to go somewhere! With all that water moving through the drains and sewer lines, you […]
When You Need A Sewer Inspection With Our Sewer Scope
It’s been awhile since we’ve talked about this, but it bears repeating over and over because it could save you thousands of dollars. Some people call us wondering if we do free sewer inspections with our sewer scope. When we say “no” they’re always surprised (and a few of them angry.) After all, they […]
Happy Thanksgiving! Make Sure Your Turkey Doesn’t Lead To Sewer Cleaning
Happy Thanksgiving! If you’re having a bunch of people over for the holidays, whether it’s for a single meal of a for the entire week, we hope everything goes well with the cooking, cleaning, and prep for this great holiday. But as important as the turkey is to many people, there are still some […]
Moving Into An Old Restaurant? Reset Your Plumbing With Expert Sewer And Drain Cleaning
There’s a building up in Loveland (the city, not the pass) that used to house a food court. A new company moved in and turned it into a typical office space for about 200 employees, replacing the walls, ceilings, and installing carpet as you’d expect them to do. But after a while people started […]
Happy Thanksgiving! Here Are Three Things You Can Do Ensure You’ll Need Emergency Drain Cleaning Service!
[A tongue-in-cheek blog post from Garvin’s Sewer Service:] Happy Thanksgiving, all! We hope you’ve got some great plans to invite people over and stuff yourself with a stuffed turkey. But when your guests all go home, maybe you get a bit lonely and want to have some company from your local sewer service. If […]
A Bit Of Bragging About Our Top-Rated Sewer Drain Cleaning Business
Nearly every one of our blogs is all about helping you. We either try to help you with blogs offering service like “Get Preventive Sewer Drain Cleaning and You Can Avoid The Horrors Of A Backup” or with advice on what you can do like “3 Cheap Things You Can Do To Prevent Frequent Drain […]
3 Cheap Things You Can Do To Prevent Frequent Drain Cleaning
Here at Garvin’s, we want your business. There’s really no secret about that. But we also know that if our van is parked out in front of your house every two weeks, it seems like we’re doing a bad job. We’re here not only to sell our sewer drain cleaning and sewer services to you, […]
What Do People Do With Grease?
Here at Garvin’s, we’ll admit it…we’re not really interested in your household grease. While we have every interest in moving it on its way so that you never see it again, we don’t really want to keep it. Who would, anyway? Well, actually, there are quite a few people out there who are interested in […]
Why You Should Get Drain Cleaning Performed When You Move Into A New House Or Apartment
At Garvin’s Sewer Service, we know that most people give us a call when there’s something wrong with their drains. Either the sink is backed up or the toilet is overflowing or a clogged drain turns their shower into a bathtub. And we love helping people get out of these unfortunate situations and get their […]
The Tools Of Sewer Cleaners: Sewer Cameras, Rooters, Jetters, and More!:
When you’re in need of rooter service or drain cleaning, we know that you’re probably not in the best mood. After all, the stuff that usually leaves your home with no problem just won’t leave as quickly or as thoroughly as you’d like, so you’re probably more than a little worried about your sewer […]
The Secret War Going On During Halloween: Put Pumpkin Guts Down Your Sink and Drain Cleaning Quickly Follows!
Halloween can be a fun time of year, but there’s something nefarious that goes on that no one ever talks about…the secret war between pumpkin guts and kitchen drains! When you’re cleaning out your pumpkins, everything is all gooey and sticky, and you might think that the seeds and guts will slide right down […]
The Importance of Proper Drain Cleaning Service When You Own A Restaurant
If you own or run a restaurant in the Denver area, it’s not likely that you’ll be needing rooter service anytime soon due to tree roots. After all, not many restaurants have a lot of trees that are planted right over the sewer line, trees that are just trying to burst into the line to […]
Is It Okay To Pour Boiling Water Down My Pipes In Order To Do My Own Drain Cleaning?
Whether they’re trying to do their own drain cleaning or simply pouring off the water from pasta, we have gotten the same question over and over: is it okay to pour boiling hot water down the sink? Good question, and the answer is: not really, and we wouldn’t advise it. Why? It’s not good for […]
Renovating An Apartment Complex? Don’t Forget About the Commercial Drain and Sewer Cleaning
Whether you’re a contractor working on an apartment complex, an owner who is looking to flip an apartment, or are renovating after many years on an old apartment, there’s one invisible aspect of the renovation that you certainly don’t want to ignore, and that’s drain cleaning and sewer cleaning for every apartment you’ve got. […]
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas! Have Us On Speed Dial If You Need Emergency Sewer Cleaning
Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, it’s time to start thinking of Christmas. Will you be having someone over? Maybe lots of someones? Or will you heading to someone else’s place for the holiday. Either way, we’ve got some advice on how you can make things go very smoothly. If You’re Having People Over: If […]
Why To Call Us For Your Sewer Snake Drain Cleaning?
Hey folks, the holidays are upon us and you’re probably cooking more and more. And as we cook more and more, we clean more dishes and more goes down the drain. When that happens, your sewer system mi