Could the Lush Spring Plant Growth Be Hurting the Plumbing?
When most people think of spring plant growth, they picture lush greenery, colorful buds, chirping birds, and sunshine. They certainly don’t think about plumbing problems caused by spring growth — unless they’ve been unlucky enough to experience one of these problems themselves. The fact is, plumbing issues associated with springtime are incredibly common.
Unfortunately, they can also be incredibly expensive if the proper precautions aren’t taken. This article will cover these common spring plumbing issues and how homeowners can avoid them or fix them if they happen this spring.
Encroaching Roots
As the flora and fauna emerge from their winter dormancy, they become more active. Some of this movement happens underground with plants as their roots search for nutrients and moisture in the soil. Unfortunately, this search can sometimes cause roots to encroach upon underground plumbing. When this happens, it can cause damage to the pipes, interfering with the plumbing system and potentially causing significant damage.
Since springtime also sees lots of rain, shifting soil or simply too much pressure in the surrounding area could damage underground pipes. Older pipes are more likely to succumb to the pressure of waterlogged soil, but ground shifts can damage old and new pipes.
Signs a Root Is Causing Plumbing Problems
The specific signs caused by roots will depend on the pipe affected. It’s common for the home’s sewer line to attract roots. This is because there’s a constant source of water and nutrients flowing through the sewer pipes. If the roots break into these pipes, they can grow quickly and clog them. If this happens, there are some signs homeowners should look out for that can tell them they’re dealing with a clogged sewer line.
The most obvious (and unpleasant) sign is drain backups. If multiple drains in the house start slowing down or backing up, it’s a sign of something wrong with the sewer line. In the case of toilets, it can seem like the water doesn’t flush everything away as quickly or powerfully as it used to. A clogged sewer line can also cause foul smells to be released into the house.
But it’s also a good idea to look at the yard. If there are suddenly patches of particularly lush grass, it could indicate a sewer line leak in that area. Likewise, if certain areas of the yard seem to be soggy all the time, there might be a sewer line problem.
How To Fix Root Obstruction
It’s no easy feat to fix a clogged sewer line. Half the problem is locating and removing the issue, and the other half is eliminating it. Luckily, professional plumbing companies have a number of solutions to help homeowners. The most basic is using a drain snake to clear the blockage, but sometimes, the snake isn’t powerful enough. Hydro jetting is another good option, which uses high-powered water jets to clear any clogs.
However, if the problem is bad enough, trenchless sewer line repair is the best bet for a long-term fix. Sometimes, the only option is digging a trench to repair the sewer line. Still, plumbers are increasingly using trenchless repair for a more efficient and less invasive way to fix a damaged sewer line. This involves digging only two holes in the property, breaking the old pipe, and running a new one in its place without the labor-intensive need to dig a whole trench.
Of course, there are also preventative measures, like root barriers. When installed, these barriers will help divert roots away from underground plumbing so the issue doesn’t happen again. The right option depends on the specific situation, so homeowners need to consult a professional plumbing company when they think they’re dealing with an underground pipe issue.
About Bedell Home Services
The friendly pros at Bedell Home Services have provided expert workmanship to Carmel, IN, since 1988! They offer same-day service by fully licensed, bonded, and insured technicians. They also offer competitive pricing and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Contact them today for sewer line repair in Carmel, IN.
