"It went amazing. Paid the extra bucks for emergency service, because of our smallish waterfall, looking leak, sprouting from a bathroom pipe, enough to puddle water onto our basement/laundry room floor. Initially, spoke to Chris, who was pleasant and upfront with the per hour fees, for emergency services. He sent us Tim, who was hesitant at first, due to the location of the leak, but his experience and knowledge, enabled him to decipher the location of our leak and fix it. A quick trip to Lowes, where he promptly returned and in 90 minutes, the job was done. A week later and the valve is bone dry. Yay!!!"
"Without even asking, I was told not to pay the repairman who came but to wait for the invoice to come in the mail. Of course, the repairman asked for his money before he left, and we had to call the office who then told us to just pay the repairman. A little awkward, but the sump pump was replaced."
"Extremely excellent.. The service was good since 2008. They did excellent work. They repair the problem issue by installing a inside french drain and a sump pump. Which correct the problem at the time. The costing was reasonable and except able. And in addition to that courtesy and professional. And very clean after finishing work."
"They installed a french drain and pump and installed water proofing on the walls. Initially I thought some of the workers were not really the best, so I called and a manager came out and was very honest and acknowledged their faults and came out and fixed all the issues. I was very impressed with this, he was very responsible. They ended up doing a fantastic job in the end."
"Basement Gurus was on time and professional. My basement was water damaged and leaking. They installed a french drain and sump pit to keep the water out. I was very happy to have them in our home."
"They installed our sump pump system with backup battering very efficiently and professional and in less than one day. After discussions on the correct equipment, they provided additional effort to be sure the wi-fi backup equipment was installed and was working efficiently. Any questions on installation and operation I had were answered on-the-spot and with ease. System seems great and I now have peace of mind during a bad storm or if the power should go out. I would recommend them to anyone."
"Excellent customer service from the time we were introduced to the office staff until the service was completed and I home from the workers that installed our water proofing"
"Thomas Reamer and Ramon Goard installed a sump pump and drain line and reinforced the waterproofing material. Very thorough in explaining the problem, solution, and showing us pictures of the process throughout. They worked steadily through rain and heat. Very impressed with them and their work."
"Woke up this morning to my hvac leaking and contacted Markool. I have never used them before and was in a pinch. They fit me right in this morning and were out at my house within 2 hours. The tech stepped in the door and placed covers for his shoes so he did not track in any dirt which was impressive! The tech was very professional and super friendly. Problem was diagnosed and FIXED within an hour. The price was extremely reasonable to the point I was shocked in a good way (expecting a higher price). Anyways, I will most certainly be a returning customer. Thank you Markool Heating Cooling Plumbing."
"I had underground water coming into my basement from an unknown source. The men dug a trench along the back wall and put in a French drain that went to a sump pump that they installed. They cleaned all of the work area and dried all of the water on the floor. My home was well protected from all work generated dirt and refuse. I am very impressed and I give them my highest recommendation. I would definitely hire this company again. The sales rep was knowledgeable and explained what needed to be done leaving no questions unanswered."
Drain Pipe Installation questions, answered by experts
No, you should not see water in a sewer cleanout. If you do, it could indicate that you have a block or leak in your main sewer line—which can cause sewage to back up inside your home and potentially flood your yard. Your best bet is to call a local sewer cleaner if you notice any water or sewage around your cleanout.
The first rule of plumbing is nothing but water, toilet paper, number one, and number two go down the drain.
To prevent clogs, get yourself:
A compast pail where you can clean plates, drain grease, and toss scraps and paper towels.
Drain screens for the shower, tub, and bathroom sink to stop hair, jewelry, toys, etc. from going down the drain.
Trash cans for everything that shouldn’t go down the drain, like dental floss, hygiene products, and cat litter.
It’s possible to snake minor drain clogs yourself, provided they sit within a foot or two of the drain itself, but it’s usually best to hire a professional plumber regardless. Even experienced DIYers have a high chance of accidentally pushing the clog further into the drain using a drain snake or another tool, so hiring a plumber is the ideal course of action. A professional plumber can use camera equipment to locate and identify the clog, and remove the entire blockage to fix your issue permanently.
If methods like hot water or a plunger don’t work on your clogged drain, you can snake your drain to dislodge the plug. This can be a messy process, taking some physical effort and additional time over the other drain-clearing options. You can purchase a drain snake at a hardware store and choose from handheld options or those attached to a drill. Just work slowly, and be ready to call a plumber if you’re unable to reach the clog from your drain or P-trap.
You should inspect and clean your French drain at least once per year to keep it in good working order. Regular maintenance can help identify clogs, buildup, and damage before they become bigger problems, which increases the lifespan of your drain. The frequency with which a drain clogs can depend on factors like the amount of debris, the quality of the installation, and the type of filter used. If your drain accumulates a lot of sediment, it may require more frequent cleaning. It's also a good practice to check the access and exit points after heavy storms. If you notice reduced drainage or any signs of a clog, clean the drain as soon as possible.
The Manchester, MD homeowners’ guide to drain pipe installations
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Find out the average sink install or repair cost in Baltimore, MD. Learn what you can expect to pay for local plumbing services and budget for your project.
Follow this guide to learn how to install a kitchen sink drain, from shutting off the water supply to lowering the drain outlet and connecting the P-trap.
