New Growth in the Spring Can Wreak Havoc on the Plumbing

Is Your Growing Garden Hurting Your Plumbing?

Is the yard starting to bloom as spring weather arrives? The colors from growing flowers and trees can be beautiful, but some not-so-pretty things can happen to the underground plumbing system. As trees grow and strengthen in the spring, their roots grow underground, occasionally finding their way into sewer and water lines. April showers may bring May flowers, but new plant growth can cause underground plumbing issues. Keep reading to learn what problems trees in the yard can cause to the plumbing system.

Intruding Tree Roots 

tree rootsSeeing trees grow big and strong in the yard can be reassuring for the landscaping, but it can signal to have the plumbing system checked. Tree roots can be problematic when they intrude on underground plumbing systems. As the trees grow in the spring and their root systems expand, they search for water and nutrients in the soil. 

Unfortunately, this could lead them directly to the home’s underground piping. Once tree roots get inside pipes, they can cause damage by blocking and clogging or breaking and cracking the lines, resulting in costly repairs. It’s essential to take steps to protect the plumbing system from root intrusion to avoid this issue and the effects it can cause.

Problems From Intruding Tree Roots 

rootsTree roots that invade pipes can cause several issues. When the roots penetrate the sewer line, they can block the flow of water or sewage, creating slow drainage and eventually leading to backups. In addition to slowing down the plumbing system, tree root intrusions can damage pipes by causing them to break or crack, leading to costly repairs or even replacement of the lines. 

Leaks can occur when tree roots pierce through a pipe or joint, allowing water to escape from the plumbing system. Poor water pressure from plumbing fixtures can also occur if the leak is in a water line. Furthermore, if tree roots enter sewer lines, they can also cause foul odors in the area around the affected pipes. Quickly dealing with intruding tree roots is vital for homeowners to ensure their plumbing system remains functional and that property damage does not occur.

Solutions and Prevention for Root Obstruction 

Plumbers can use hydro jetting to remove blockages from tree root intrusions. Hydro jetting is a drain cleaning technique that uses high-pressure water streams to clear clogs, including tree roots that have invaded pipes. After the blockage is removed, plumbers can repair any leaks or damage caused by the roots. Plumbers have many specialized tools to locate leaks or damage in the pipes, including acoustic leak detectors and video inspection equipment. This equipment will allow plumbers to locate and repair the pipe more effectively with minimal disruption to the surroundings.  

Homeowners can also take steps to prevent tree root intrusions from occurring. Installing root barriers around pipes and sewer lines can effectively keep roots away from pipes. They act as a physical barrier to keep the tree roots away from pipes. Additionally, homeowners should avoid planting trees near underground piping and look into which trees have roots that are less likely to damage pipes to reduce the risk of root intrusion. Scheduling routine drain cleaning services and plumbing inspections can also help catch issues from tree roots early before they further damage the plumbing system.

About Neighborhood Plumbing & Drain

Neighborhood Plumbing & Drain is a local plumbing company serving Lakeway, TX, and the surrounding areas since 2008. They provide solid communication, the latest technology, and prompt arrival. Call them today for water and sewer line repair services in Lakeway, TX

Make a Difference for Earth Day With These Eco-Friendly Plumbing Upgrades

Choose Eco-Friendly Appliances and Plumbing Fixtures and Save Big

Earth Day is coming up, making it a great opportunity to reflect on the environment and make positive changes that have a positive impact. Making the home’s plumbing more eco-friendly is a great way to conserve energy and water and save money on water and energy bills. This blog will share some options for making a home’s plumbing more eco-friendly and saving money this Earth Day.

Save Water

touchless faucetThere are many ways to save water. Tweaking daily habits like taking shorter showers or turning off the faucet when not in use are just some of the ways people can make a difference in water conservation immediately. But there are plumbing fixtures homeowners can use in their homes to make water conservation even easier.

Technological advancements in home appliances and fixtures make that possible. More modern and water-saving versions of old products now give homeowners the ability to save on water and its corresponding bill without reducing performance. Here are just some of the water-saving fixtures that homeowners can upgrade to in order to save water and lower their water bills:

  • Water-saving toilets: There are several types of water-saving toilets, including dual flush, pressure-assisted, and gravity-assist toilets. Toilets are the biggest source of water use inside homes, so upgrading to a toilet that uses less water is a great way to save.
  • Low-flow showerheads: Upgrading older showerheads to newer low-flow showerheads are a great way to save water every time it’s used. They use only two gallons of water or less per minute, leading to significant water savings over time.
  • Touchless faucets: By upgrading to touchless faucets, water will never get wasted again when it’s not in use, like when brushing teeth or scrubbing dishes. They have sensors that turn off the water when it’s not needed.

Reduce Energy Usage

energy efficient clothes washerModern home appliances aren’t limited to saving water. They can be energy efficient as well. Dishwashers, clothes washers, and water heaters have the ability to save water and energy without sacrificing performance. For example, Energy Star-certified washing machines use around 20 percent less energy and 30 percent less water than average ones, leading to significant savings on utility bills.

In fact, the average homeowner can reduce their overall water usage by at least 20 percent by installing water-efficient fixtures and appliances like the ones mentioned throughout this blog. Installing water-saving and energy-efficient plumbing fixtures and appliances is a great way to save money and conserve water and energy to help the environment, all without sacrificing comfort.

What About the Pipes?

Energy savings at home don’t have to be limited to the plumbing fixtures and appliances mentioned. It’s also entirely possible to improve energy efficiency by choosing the right kind of piping for the home. Several factors like material, diameter, and layout can all impact efficiency.

While existing piping would be difficult to replace, especially if there is no immediate need to do so, homeowners who are in a position to replace their piping system, like those in need of repiping, can add to their savings by choosing the right pipe materials, diameters, and piping layout that will optimize water flow, reduce heat loss, and save energy.

About Neighborhood Plumbing & Drain

Neighborhood Plumbing & Drain is a local plumbing company serving Lakeway, TX, and the surrounding areas since 2008. They provide the latest technology, solid communication, and a satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for plumbing services in Lakeway, TX.