Removal Of Tree Roots In Sewer Line
November 29, 2021 Sewer Lines No comments yet
Leone Service Tree Roots Removal On Sewer LinesTree roots can easily slip through and invade your sewer line. They are silent destroyers of your sewer line that can lead to numerous expenses. But they can be eliminated and prevented. In this article, we will discuss some of the alternative ways for getting rid of tree roots in sewer lines before they thrive and cause further damages. However, these approaches are NOT recommended due to their safety risks and tedious nature. We always recommend cleaning tree roots mechanically using a snake machine or sewer line replacement.

Handyman Ideas For Getting Rid Of Tree Roots In Sewer Line

You can get rid of roots on a sewer line at the early stage of growth. There are inexpensive DIY solutions that you can use such as:
Rock Salt
This is different from table salt. This is the kind of salt that is thrown on icy sidewalks during winter. All you have to do is to gradually flush a couple of pounds (1/2 pound at a time) of rock salt down the toilet. Allow the rock salt to sit in the pipes for 12 hours by turning off the water. By doing this, you are creating an environment that is hostile for small roots to grow and slowly killing them.
Copper Sulfate
Also known as bluestone, copper sulfate is a type of herbicide. What you will do is flush 1/2 cup of copper sulfate on the toilet. To move the bluestone down the pipes, flush multiple times. Caution though, copper sulfate can be toxic for animals. It is suggested that you leave the house with your pets and come back after several hours. The effect of the bluestone may take a few days and you need to be patient. Please contact the United States EPA for further information about the safe usage of copper sulfate.
Concentrated Weed Killer and Dishwashing Liquid Combo
Mix 400 ml of dishwashing liquid to 800 ml weed killer. After mixing, leave them Removal of tree roots from pipes by Leone Plumbing. for several hours so they can bond together. Pour the mixture on your toilet and flush gradually to ensure it travels to the pipes. Do not flush your toilet until after 24 hours. The foam created by the mixture should coat the roots causing them to die. Caution: This can also kill nearby trees. If you go with this option, talk it over with your household.

For stubborn tree roots, let the professional deal with it!

Dealing with tree roots in sewer line can be a tough one. If a DIY solution in getting rid of tree roots doesn’t work, let a professional do it. Our expert plumber can cut the roots using a snake machine with several tips for cutting and retrieval. This equipment can also remove other debris that causes clogs. There are scenarios wherein the real culprit is those little cracks on the pipes where roots can easily slip in. Our master plumber may also recommend repairing or replacing the pipes if found out to be damaged that allows the roots to grow inside.

We Are Here At Your Service

For professional removal of tree roots in sewer line, talk to us so we can help you.  

Image Credit | “Huge Oak Tree” by RegalShave in Pixabay

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Signs of Tree Roots in the Sewer Line
October 18, 2020 Sewer Lines No comments yet
Signs of Tree Roots in Sewer Line

Trees add beauty to a property. It can either beautify your surrounding or destroy your sewer line due to root growth. The best solution is still prevention. With roots wrecking your plumbing system underneath and unseen, how can you apply prevention? You need to figure out the signs of tree roots in the sewer line.

What are the signs of tree roots in sewer line?

•The initial sign is slow drains telling you that something is blocking your sewer line.

• Slow flushing toilet and sewage back up. If your toilet is showing these signs with gurgling noise when you flush, roots may have entered the pipes.

• Clogged pipes caused by root obstruction.

• Unpleasant smell coming from damaged sewer line caused by root growth.

How to prevent tree roots from destroying your sewer line?

Avoid the inconvenience by taking the following preventive measures.

• If you are planning to plant trees and shrubs, make sure to stay away from any sewer line. If you are not sure where to locate the sewer line on your property, you can call 811 “Call Before You Dig” hotline for help.

• If you plant near the sewer lines, choose slow-growing trees with a small root ball. It is also recommended to limit the number of plants you place near the sewer lines. If you are going to plant large trees, make sure that they are far away from sewer lines for roots to reach.

• Regular plumbing inspection and maintenance can prevent root growth inside the pipes.

Professional Tree Root Removal

Our master plumbers are well experienced in dealing with tree roots removal. How do we approach this problem?

• We use a specialized camera to probe through the sewer line and drainpipes to locate damaged areas. In this way, we will be able to determine if it is indeed tree roots that are causing the problem or something else.

• We might recommend snaking the line using several snake machine tips. Through this procedure, our master plumbers will be able to retrieve roots and other debris that is causing the blockage.

• If there is a hole in the pipe that is allowing roots to enter, the only way to fix this is by digging up the line and making a repair. While the camera is in the line, we bring out sonar equipment which allows us to precisely identify where in the pipe the roots are entering. They will make markings in the yard to identify where exactly the line should be dug up and a repair made.

Bury Your Head In the Sand or Take Action

Do not allow tree roots to invade and destroy your sewer line. If you see signs of tree roots in the sewer line, take action, or be sorry. Contact us to learn more about how our service can help you. Leone Plumbing & Heating is here to relieve your stress caused by plumbing concerns.

Photo Credits: Pixabay, Canva

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How often do sewer lines need to be replaced?
September 1, 2020 Plumbing No comments yet
How often do sewer lines need to be replaced?

Toilet cleanliness is necessary for all of us. When it comes to toilet cleanliness, people are more aware of what they see from the outside. Most people give less attention to what is underneath the toilet, the sewer line. If a clogged sewer is left untreated, it may result in serious damage to your establishment. To avoid this major concern, we need to know how often do sewer lines need to be replaced.

A clogged sewer might be unseen. However, the signs and symptoms going on the outside will tell that you might need a sewer line repair or replacement. How often do sewer lines need to be replaced? Your awareness of what’s going on both outsides and underneath your toilet can determine that.

What is a sewer line?

A sewer line removes wastewater out from an establishment going to the main sewer. It is vital in making the plumbing system work effectively. Your sewer line plays an important role in the smooth functioning of your overall plumbing system.

Figuring out when to replace a sewer line.

Below are some of the noticeable signs that your sewer line is deteriorating. The best course of action is to call plumbing services for help if you experience any of these issues.

  1. Persistent sewer backups and blockages.
  2. The water drain goes slow from sinks, toilets, and bathtubs.
  3. Basement flooding especially around the drains with unusual foul sewer smell.
  1. Leaking pipes.
  2. The inconsistent water level in your toilet bowl. At different times, the water level may go from overflowing, to normal, or even too low.
  3. The pooling of wastewater in your yard.
  1. Lurking sewer odor around your property.
  2. Babbling noise from a flow of water through pipes while using the shower or washing the dishes.
  1. The continuous infestation of insects and rodent problem that doesn’t clear off despite pest control measures.
  2. Mold thrives in moist areas. If you see the presence of mold on your ceiling or walls, there may be a broken sewer line.
  • Flooded basement

How to respond to these sewer line warnings?

Do not ignore the warnings. If left unattended, a damaged sewer line causes long-lasting effects on a plumbing system. You may resort to temporary fixes such as patching old pipes, running drain snakes, or using chemical drain cleaners. However, it may sometimes do more damages than good to your sewer line if these temporary fixes are overly done.

If warnings persist, it is better to call plumbing services right away. It is more economical to get your sewer line replaced with no need for repairs for more years. This will help you save money than spending daily, weekly, or monthly on temporary fixes.

As a provider of quality and guaranteed plumbing services in Rochester NY, we are here to help you. Call us today and we will be happy to assist you!

Photo Credits: Pixabay, Canva

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How do I know if I need to replace my sewer line?
October 8, 2013 Sewer Lines No comments yet

How do I know if I need to replace my sewer line?

Sewer lines are not something that most people think about, until the time something goes wrong. When that happens, you can have a real mess on your hands. Some of the early signs of sewer line problems include gurgling noises coming from the toilet, water that drains slower than normal, or a smelly sinkhole that suddenly appears in your yard. If you begin to smell sewage, notice that patches of your yard are always wet regardless of the weather, or if you see a wet sinkhole in yard, then you probably need to have your sewer line replaced. Clogged Sewer Line RepairAt some point all sewer lines need to be repaired or replaced, particularly in homes built during the 1970’s or earlier. The fact is, the older your pipes are, the more likely it is that you will have trouble with them. Sewer pipes in older homes are usually made of clay tiles that can crack or break apart, allowing tree roots to infiltrate the pipe and create clogs. Problems can also result from pipe sections that have settled or collapsed.  When properly installed, PVC pipes that are used today should have a lifespan of over 100 years. Sometimes homeowners wonder if they can simply patch their existing pipes instead of opting for replacing them. If the sewer line is old then there will most likely be other bad spots that will give you problems in the near future. The cost of a series of patch jobs can add up quickly and in the long run it makes more sense to replace the entire line. That way you can save money over time and have the peace of mind that comes with knowing your sewer line will remain in good repair for years to come. If you want to check out the condition of your sewer line before you have a crisis on your hands, you can pay to have a camera run through the line to check it out. That way you will know if you have any impending problems. Tree roots cause some of the most common problems that lead people to have to replace their sewer lines. Since they love the constant source of moisture, tree roots will often invade broken sewer pipes and then continue to grow until they completely clog the broken sewer lines. Even though copper sulfate can repel roots as a temporary fix, it can also damage, or even kill, the tree. If the copper sulfate does not work, then you still have the underlying problem of growing roots waiting to invade your sewer lines. Sewer pipes can also become clogged from an accumulation of muck, grease, and other material that gets washed down your drains day after day. Sometimes sewer lines will collapse, break, or simply rot away. Tree roots can do a lot to exacerbate this process. Running a snake through your pipes to clear out the tree roots can do even more damage to your sewer line.

Here are some tips to help keep your sewer line in good shape:

  • Find out where your sewer line is located. This can help you make decisions about landscaping and parking.
  • Don’t plant trees or shrubs near your sewer line because the roots will eventually seek out the moisture in the line.
  • Don’t park a vehicle directly over your sewer line because the weight and pressure of the vehicle could weaken the pipe below and eventually crush it.
  • Don’t flush anything down the toilet that is not toilet paper or human waste.  Use the trash can instead of the toilet for disposing of any other items in your bathroom.
  • Never pour grease down a drain because it can clog pipes. Pour it into a can to let it cool and then dispose of it in the trash.
Most often the responsibility to pay for sewer line repair or replacement falls on homeowners and it can be costly. However, replacing or repairing sewer lines is definitely not a do-it-yourself home repair. Not only is it very labor intensive, but if you don’t know really what you are doing you can do some serious damage. Don’t trust your home’s sewer line to just anyone. Hire a plumbing company you can depend on to get the job done right. At Leone Plumbing and Heating we have made it our mission to provide excellent service that leads to the highest levels of customer satisfaction.
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