Inside the Ongoing Struggle Between Tree Roots and Your Sewer Line

Most sewer line repair calls involve invasive tree roots. Roots can infiltrate a damaged sewer line and cause backups, catastrophic clogs, and recurring problems. However, most issues with tree roots and sewer lines can be prevented. Tree roots cannot penetrate sewer lines; there has to be a leak in order for this particular problem to occur.

The best way to prevent problems with roots and your sewer line is to have regular inspections by your plumber, and to consider replacing an aged sewer line that could leak or have the potential to do so in the near-future. Even a minor leak in your sewer line could lead to a catastrophic root invasion.

 How Root Problems Start

• Older sewer lines made of clay or metals that have corroded will react to shifting soils. Over time, they can develop hairline cracks or small leaks. Trees are always on the lookout for water and nutrients. Their root systems will quickly detect a ready source from a leaking sewer pipe. A sewer line with multiple leaks could be penetrated in different areas by the same tree. Multiple trees on your property with notorious “seeker roots” will jump on the chance to obtain a steady source of water and sustenance from a leaking sewer line.

Why Root Infiltration Happens

• Once a seeker root has found a hole in your sewer line, it’s only a matter of time until a clog develops. Seeker roots tend to be very tiny, and they only need the smallest opening in the sewer line to enter. When a seeker root matures inside the sewer, it produces extra roots rapidly, which grow very thick and eventually will clog the line.

Symptoms of Root Infiltration

• Common signs of tree root infiltration include slow draining or what appear to be clogs in your toilet on a frequent basis. These are in fact symptoms of the slowly building clog in your sewer line itself. Without quick treatment, tree roots can cause your entire sewer to back up, and may even necessitate replacement.

Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical can give your sewer line a thorough video inspection to identify root problems. We can repair the line and keep it safe from recurring tree root problems. Call us today at (206) 452-4363 to learn more.

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How to Respond to a Burst Pipe or Water Leak

A plumbing emergency can be difficult to deal with, but if you know how to react, you can take the right steps in the right order to minimize the damage and get everything back to normal as soon as possible. Your first instinct may be to call your plumber immediately, but there is one step you should take first whenever you encounter a burst pipe or a plumbing leak.

 

 Shut Off the Water

• Locate the water shutoff valves in your home. The main valve is usually located at your water meter. For some homes, you may have a shutoff valve located where the water supply enters your home in your basement. You should operate this valve regularly to ensure that it functions without leaking so that in the case of an emergency you can turn the water off quickly and effectively.

Call Your Plumber

• When the water has been shut off, make the call to your plumbing company so they can be on their way as soon as possible. Do your best to describe the problem or locate the leak if possible, which will help your plumber know exactly where to look when they arrive. Burst pipes can be very stressful, but the additional information can help your plumber minimize water damage when they get to your home.

Contain the Damage

• After you have shut off the main water supply, look for other valves near the leak. You may also wish to consider opening taps in the area to reduce the water pressure in the pipes, provided that the nearest drains are ‘below’ the leak itself. Use towels or blankets to contain water on the floor, and place buckets or other containers underneath leaks as well.

Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical can help you with all your plumbing emergencies. You can contact us 24 hours a day at (206) 452-4363. Visit us online to learn more about our emergency plumbing services.

 

 

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What Homeowners Need to Know about Their Sewer Line

Out of sight and out of mind is often the rule when it comes to the sewer main, and that can lead to problems. If your home is more than 40 years old, it’s time to have your sewer line inspected by a plumber. It could be due for replacement, especially if it is connected to an older pipe. This video from Angie’s List will provide you with some important information about your sewer line.



Leaky joints and tree roots are some of the most common issues that can arise with older lines. Tree roots will only come back if they are removed, because the main problem of the leaking line has not been addressed. Many plumbers can use trenchless repairs or even replace your sewer line with something newer and more robust that will stand the test of time.

To schedule an inspection of your sewer line, contact Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical today at (206) 452-4363. We can extend the life of your sewer line or help you with replacement.

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These Online Resources Provide More Info About The Residential And Commercial Plumbing Services Available From Beacon Plumbing

Seattle-area homeowners and business owners can rely on Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical for comprehensive repair and maintenance services. We fix broken sewer lines and pipes, install tankless water heaters in homes and filtration systems in commercial properties, and much more. You can reach us 24 hours a day at (206) 452-4363. To learn more about the types of services we provide, visit the websites below.

This article from Food and Water Watch will tell you why many restaurant owners are no longer serving bottled water and have begun to install commercial water filtration systems instead.

Visit the U.S. Department of Energy online for a basic guide to tankless water heaters.
This page from Daily Green will tell you why you should filter your tap water.

Find out more about the growing movement away from bottled water to commercial filtration systems by reading this article from The New York Times.

You can learn about the benefits of tankless water heaters when you visit HowStuffWorks.com.

 

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Is a Tankless Water Heater Right for Your Home?

If your home has a traditional tank-style water heater, a sizeable portion of your gas or electric bill goes toward keeping this large container of water at the desired temperature. While a tank-style water heater does keep a reservoir of hot water ready for immediate use, a tankless water heater offers several advantages. Consider installing one in your home if:
 
You Want an Unlimited Supply Hot Water

A common problem in households with many family members is that hot water runs out during high-use times. Because a traditional water heater only holds a finite supply of hot water, several showers taken back-to-back can empty the tank. A tankless water heater warms up your water as you need it, using a powerful heat exchanger.
 
You Want to Spend Less on Utilities

In order to keep the water ready for use, a tank-style water heater operates even when you aren’t using it. For example, at night when everyone is asleep, sensors inside the tank will turn on the burner or heating element when the water temperature falls below the setting on the thermostat. This wasted energy, called standby heat loss, is an inevitable consequence of the tank design. A tankless water heater only uses gas or electricity when you have hot water running, so it will use less energy and thus decrease your utility bills.
 
You Want a Long-Lasting Appliance

Even the most modern storage tank water heaters have a limited life expectancy of about 10 years. So even if a tankless model seems more expensive now, it will be cost-effective in the long run since you won’t have to replace it as often. A tankless water heater can last up to 20 years. 

Make an appointment with Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical by calling us at (206) 452-4363 if you think a tankless water heater is a good option for your home. We will survey your home’s plumbing and determine the best model water heater for your needs and budget.

 

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Inside the Ongoing Struggle Between Tree Roots and Your Sewer Line

Most sewer line repair calls involve invasive tree roots. Roots can infiltrate a damaged sewer line and cause backups, catastrophic clogs, and recurring problems. However, most issues with tree roots and sewer lines can be prevented. Tree roots cannot penetrate sewer lines; there has to be a leak in order for this particular problem to occur.

The best way to prevent problems with roots and your sewer line is to have regular inspections by your plumber, and to consider replacing an aged sewer line that could leak or have the potential to do so in the near-future. Even a minor leak in your sewer line could lead to a catastrophic root invasion.
 
How Root Problems Start

Older sewer lines made of clay or metals that have corroded will react to shifting soils. Over time, they can develop hairline cracks or small leaks. Trees are always on the lookout for water and nutrients. Their root systems will quickly detect a ready source from a leaking sewer pipe. A sewer line with multiple leaks could be penetrated in different areas by the same tree. Multiple trees on your property with notorious “seeker roots” will jump on the chance to obtain a steady source of water and sustenance from a leaking sewer line.
 
Why Root Infiltration Happens

Once a seeker root has found a hole in your sewer line, it’s only a matter of time until a clog develops. Seeker roots tend to be very tiny, and they only need the smallest opening in the sewer line to enter. When a seeker root matures inside the sewer, it produces extra roots rapidly, which grow very thick and eventually will clog the line.
 
Symptoms of Root Infiltration

Common signs of tree root infiltration include slow draining or what appear to be clogs in your toilet on a frequent basis. These are in fact symptoms of the slowly building clog in your sewer line itself. Without quick treatment, tree roots can cause your entire sewer to back up, and may even necessitate replacement.
Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical can give your sewer line a thorough video inspection to identify root problems. We can repair the line and keep it safe from recurring tree root problems. Call us today at (206) 452-4363 to learn more.