Is Your Growing Garden Growing Into Your Indoor Plumbing?

Trees, like humans, need water and nutrients. Unlike humans, trees spend a large portion of the year asleep while they wait for winter to pass. As the springtime comes and trees wake up, they are bound to grow. As they grow, they constantly search for new water and nutrients, leaving underground plumbing particularly vulnerable. If tree roots can detect the water in underground plumbing, they can find weaknesses in the pipes, including weak joints or small cracks, and invade. What could start as a small invasion of the underground plumbing could soon become a big problem as the tree roots are unlikely to stop if they continue to find water and nutrients to aid growth.

The Not-So-Innocent Intruding Roots and the Ripple Effects

Tree roots that invade or intrude on pipes can impact the plumbing system even more. Some of the biggest issues that they can cause in the underground plumbing system are:

Clogs: Roots growing inside pipes become like a sieve for water passing and can create huge clogs. They could create persistent clogs and blockages of water in the house. Even if the clog doesn’t get to the point of being persistent and unyielding, the net-like pattern of the tree roots can cause water pressure to be much slower, meaning that water drainage might become much slower and lead to more water back-up.
Leaks: Roots will inevitably test the boundaries of the pipes they are in, meaning that they might grow against the pipes making them weaker or even causing them to break open and cause leaks. These leaks could have even larger consequences, including yard flooding or structural damage.

The Superhero Solutions To Avoid and Treat Root Obstruction

The impacts of tree roots on underground plumbing might sound scary and intimidating, but the good news is that there are preventative steps that homeowners can take to protect their plumbing systems. The best first step is to understand what the inside of the pipelines looks like—this might mean calling a professional to take a video of the pipes to understand what tree roots might be growing inside and whether they are a danger to the pipelines.

If there are tree roots in the pipeline, it is best to cut them away right away before they can grow even further. Even if there are no roots present, one thing that is always helpful is placing physical root barriers around the pipes that stop roots from being able to grow. These roots can be made from wood or metal and buried six or more inches below them to ensure they are effective against root growth.

If, despite best efforts, underground plumbing has been damaged by invading tree roots, professional plumbers are available to help homeowners maintain their homes and yards in one dry piece. Plumbers have several tricks up their sleeves to fix leaks and clogs in the underground plumbing system.

Hydro jetting is a great professional solution if a backup from tree roots is in the underground plumbing. Hydro jetting clears the underground tree roots by shooting a high-pressure water stream into the pipe.
Drain snakes can be used from the drain or the sewer line to cut through tree roots, causing clogs or leaks.
Trenchless sewer line repair can help when tree roots cause underground pipes to crack, burst, or even collapse, depending on the pressure the tree roots put on the pipes. Trenchless sewer repair involves sending a camera into the sewer line to understand the damage and then cleaning out the sewer line of all tree roots. After it is cleaned, professionals can insert a felt or fiberglass liner into the sewer line that will automatically take the shape of the line, repair any cracks or breaks, and protect it from future damage.

About Carmine's Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning

With over 25,600 reviews, Carmine's Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, located in Danbury, Connecticut, is the obvious choice for HVAC and plumbing needs in the Danbury area. They offer fast service with an emergency service hotline for all emergency needs, but they also promise to listen closely to needs and provide the most honest advice possible, meaning no up-charging or scamming. Call Carmine’s today for drain cleaning service in and around Danbury, CT!

Distribution Links +

Spring Is the Best Time for AC Maintenance

Spring is one of the greatest times of the year. The world seems to wake back up, and nature comes alive once again. It is a time filled with beauty and warmth but can also cause a lot of air quality issues in the home. Spring is also the time of year that allergies are high, which can cause a decrease in air quality. The best thing homeowners can do in the spring is to have AC maintenance done.

Spring cleaning without AC maintenance is essentially pointless because homeowners can’t keep the home clean if the air ducts are dirty and things of the like. Below are three things that every homeowner should have done to their AC unit in the springtime.

Tuning Up the Unit

General maintenance and tune-ups are the best things homeowners can do for their air conditioning system. Unfortunately, it is a service most homeowners choose to ignore because they see it as a waste of money. However, professionals will be the first to tell a customer just how much money they can save when they stick to a regular maintenance schedule.

The benefits of regular AC maintenance include:

The system runs efficiently, longer

The system won’t break down as often

The unit will have a longer lifespan than a unit that never gets professional maintenance

No surprise breakdowns

Lower monthly costs

Reduced need for repairs, which means more money saved

It can be hard to remember a regular AC maintenance schedule. However, if homeowners always get it done in the spring, just before the busy time of year, it will become a habit. Not only that, but spring is the best time of year to get maintenance done for that reason alone. It is always best to have the AC unit professionally maintained just before it’s needed for the year.

Professional Air Duct Cleaning

When homeowners call to have their AC unit maintenance done, they should also schedule an air duct cleaning. Spring is the perfect time for the air ducts to have a deep, professional cleaning for many reasons. First, a lot of dirt accumulates in the air ducts within a year so sticking to a yearly cleaning schedule ensures they are cleaner. Secondly, spring marks the beginning of the warm season, which means the beginning of the air conditioning season.

It is best to have the air ducts cleaned at the beginning of each busy season. Fall and spring are the best times to have a professional air duct cleaning, but homeowners will get similar benefits from having the service done once a year as well.

A Clean Home Means Cleaner Filters

The above-stated services are extremely beneficial for overall AC maintenance, but there is something that costs even less than the homeowner can do without professional assistance. Changing the HVAC system’s air filter is the easiest way homeowners can help maintain better air quality in the home and prevent the AC system from overworking.

It is recommended to change the air filter at least once every three months. Those that have multiple people in the household and pets might consider changing the air filter more often. HEPA air filters are the air filters recommended most by professionals. This type of filter works well on large and small particles to remove nearly all air contaminants. In turn, the air quality improves as well as the efficiency of the AC system.

There’s No One Like Carmine’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning

Carmine’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is the Danbury, CT HVAC company that works hard for its customers. They understand the frustrations of HVAC problems and always try their best to have the solutions fixed as fast and effectively as possible. They even have emergency services for those who need them. Call today to schedule AC services!