Astronauts deal with flooded toilet in orbit

Everyday millions of people face clogged sewers and drains on the planet Earth. Almost all of those people know that unclogging the sewer line is not rocket science, but recently rocket scientists who happened to be in orbit faced a problem with their toilet. We can only speculate what clogged the toilet on a space shuttle, but whatever clogged the toilet, it is another proof that a crowded toilet is bound to get clogged even if it is a space toilet. Apparently the space station is over crowded and the toilet bowl could not handle the extra traffic.

(AP) — “The bathroom lines at the already crowded space shuttle and space station complex got a lot longer Sunday because of a flooded toilet. One of two commodes aboard the international space station malfunctioned, right in the middle of complicated robotic work being conducted by the two crews. The pump separator apparently flooded.”

Space Toilet Gets Clogged

We are offering free service to the international space station, our only requirement is that we have to be provided with transportation and accommodation at the job site.

1. Avoid pouring grease in the drains
2. Avoid flushing napkins, paper towels and other sanitary items
3. Get the sewer line electrically cleaned to cut tree roots grown in the sewer line
4. Make sure you have easy access to your house trap

Can a toilet cause a clog in a sewer pipe?

Toilets use a lot of water and many times certain items are flushed down the toilet that can end up clogging the main sewer line. This is not the most common reason why sewers get clogged. Sewer clogs occur due to many reasons and toilet bowls can be blamed about 10% of time according to our mechanics in the field.
Most of the times toilets get clogged due to paper products and when a clogged toilet is unclogged the clog moves down the line and may result in a sewer clog. Paper towels, disposable and cloth diapers and feminine products cause many problems in the sewer main.  These products do not deteriorate quickly.  They should be disposed of in the garbage.

Sewer caps coming off during a backup is not that common, but rarely it does happen. This video shows a heavy metal cap being blown up due to a backup in the city storm sewer. Luckily, there were not any injuries.
The sewer caps on your main sewer trap are also vulnerable. The caps  have to be put on securely and no water should be coming out of them when you run water in your house. If your caps are loose or old or do not sit in the trap tightly or have lost their threads, it means it is time to buy new caps. During back ups, caps hold the sewer water back and in many cases prevent a mess by keeping the sewer water in the sewer pipe. There are different types of sewer caps. Sewer caps are also called fit-alls. The most common types of sewer caps are:

1. Lead Caps
2. Brass Caps
3. Rubber Caps

If you never had your sewer cleaned and you are the original owner of the house, then more than likely , your sewer cap is a brass cap. All caps have their own pros and cons. The cost of all caps is pretty cheap but the main thing is you have to have caps on your main trap. Having caps can prevent many other issues other than just holding back sewer water. Caps also help in preventing smell from coming into your house. Caps can also help in avoiding sewer clogs, how? By blocking anything from falling into the sewer trap.
Caps can also prevent sewer rats from coming into your house (sewer rats coming through the sewer pipe into your house is extremely rare). A sewer pipe without caps will not not look good either. You have to make sure you have proper caps installed to avoid many sewer related problems.

1. Remove the toilet bowl
2. Take out the old wax gasket
3. Place the old gasket under the toilet bowl
4. Reset the toilet bowl

Replacing your gasket should solve your problem of water leaking from the base of the toiletafter you flush it. keep in mind that even if your toilet (mostly basement toilets backup due to sewer clog) over flows due to a sewer backup, you still should change your wax gasket if the sewer water comes out from the base of the toilet as-well.
Old gaskets can also result in sewer like smell coming into your house. This is important, as many customers call us because they have a sewer smell in the house even though there is no sewer backup. Mostly it is due to open sewer caps, dried out drains or toilet bowls with broken wax gaskets. Wax gaskets do not need to be changed regularly. Change them if needed.

1. If the water keeps overflowing into your basement (or the lowest) toilet and shower, even though you do not have any water running in the house. Its a possible city sewer backing up (provided its not rain water backing into your house).
2. The city sewer smells worse than any regular sewer back up. The sewage from the city sewer is more like sludge and it will carry alot of garbage (straws, string, really dark black sludge) along with the sewer water.
3. Usually the whole block is affected in case of a city sewer back up. Ask your neighbors if they are having a back up too. Incase most of the houses on the block are having sewer problems at the same time, it is more than like a city sewer back up.
4. Dial 311. Ask for DEP (Department of Environmental Protection). Explain your situation to them. Take a reference number for your complaint. Remember DEP usually responds with 24hrs but they might respond sooner aswell.
5. DEP is only responsible for their sewer lines. They will not clean sewer lines that they are not responsoble for. They do not charge for their service.

You can always call $49.95 Any Sewer or Drain and explain your situation over the phone or email us. We will respond with our expert advice for free.

$49.95 Any Sewer or Drain
(888) PAY4995
http://www.a4995.com