Drains Archives - Garvin's Sewer Service, Inc

Trees are an integral part of the landscaping for most yards. They add beauty throughout the year (particularly during autumn with their striking foliage), provide shade during the warmer months, provide habitat for wildlife, and remove carbon from the atmosphere. If only we didn’t have to rake up their fallen leaves each fall!

Besides dead leaves, another downside to trees is roots that get into your sewer line looking for water and nutrients – this can result in serious damage to your sewer line. Here are a few tips on how to find roots in your sewer line (and prevent them from getting in in the first place).

Know Where Your Sewer Lines Are

The first thing you need to do is determine where your sewer lines are located. If you don’t know, it’s best not to dig up your lawn trying to find them – you could damage your utility lines. If you need help trying to find them, contact your local sewer department for the information, or schedule a sewer locate service provided by Garvin’s Sewer Service (or similar company).

Don’t Plant Trees By Sewer Lines

Location, location, location – it’s key when buying a house, but also when planting trees. Don’t just plant them anywhere in your yard – plant them away from the sewer lines. There are several types of trees that grow slowly and have smaller root balls, which means that they are less likely to penetrate sewer lines than trees with widespread root systems. Consult with your landscaper to determine which types of trees are less likely to have roots that will invade your sewer line.

Get A Sewer Camera Inspection

If there are already trees near your sewer line, you can have a plumbing professional conduct a sewer camera inspection (also known as a sewer scope) to determine if there are roots in the line, and if so, how bad the problem is. A sewer camera inspection can also determine if there are bellies, breaks, or holes in the line.

If there are indeed roots in the sewer line, many people assume that the entire line must be replaced. This assumption is false – often the roots can be cleaned out by a plumbing professional, saving the consumer thousands of dollars.

One way roots can be removed from a sewer line is to use a special bladed machine that cuts them out. Another way is to use a product that will chemically remove them, such as RootX. RootX kills roots using an aquatic herbicide called Dichlobenil. Although it is non-toxic, it’s best applied by a professional.

If you’ve got a root problem and you want to prevent it from getting worse, consider removing the culprit tree. Yes, your yard may not look as nice, but you’ll be keeping your sewer line from being invaded by roots.

Prevent The Problem In The First Place

If your sewer line has been damaged by tree roots, then it might need to be replaced; this can cost thousands of dollars. With our Preventative Plumbing Maintenance Program, you can keep the problem from happening in the first place. We clear the roots out of the line on a regular basis, usually every 6-12 months. By maintaining regular sewer cleanings, you can reduce the chance of back-ups and sewer line breaks due to root growth in the line.

If you’re having problems with your plumbing and suspect tree roots are the cause, contact us – we can inspect your sewer line to determine if there is a root problem and advise you on how best to fix it. We can handle other plumbing problems, as well, so if you’re in need of a dependable plumbing professional, call us!

Signs of Backed-Up Drains

If your drains are backing up after it rains, you are sure to see some signs and symptoms. One common sign is water pooling in your basement or around your drain outlets. You may also notice that your toilet, sink, or any other plumbing connected to a drain isn’t draining properly – or at all. In the worst case scenario, you may see sewage coming up from the drain. If this happens, you need to call an emergency plumber ASAP!

Reasons Why Backed-Up Drains Occur

There are a few reasons why backed-up drains happen following a heavy rain. One is that the sewers may be overflowing with rainwater, and your drains simply aren’t able to handle all of the water coming through them. This can happen even if there are no clogs – it’s just a matter of too much water for the drain.

The rainwater that flows into the sewer systems isn’t exactly sparkling clean, either – it contains debris like leaves, soil, sticks, and trash that can also get into your sewer system after a heavy rain, causing your drains to clog and back up.

Another reason for backed-up drains is clogs in your sewer lines from tree roots, collapsed clay pipes (older homes are notorious for this), grease, so-called flushable wipes (just because they go down the drain, doesn’t mean they break down), and other items not meant to be put into sewer lines.

Preventing Backed-Up Drains

Drain back-ups can be a real nuisance, and they seem to happen at the worst possible time (like right when your in-laws are coming for a visit). But there are a few things you can do to help prevent them from happening in the first place.

One way to help prevent drain back-ups is by regularly cleaning your drains and sewer lines. This will help remove any build-up of debris, tree roots, grease, etc. that could potentially cause a clog. There are some people who think they can do it themselves, but this job is best left to a professional (like us!).

Another tip is to be mindful of what you’re putting down your drains. Avoid pouring grease or oil down the drain, and don’t flush anything other than toilet paper and human waste down the toilet (this means making sure your kids don’t try to flush their toys or dead goldfish down the toilet). And if you have trees near your sewer lines, make sure they’re well-maintained so that the roots don’t cause any damage.

If you do end up with a drain back-up, the best thing to do is call an emergency plumber right away. They’ll be able to quickly assess the situation and get your drains flowing properly again.

So, if you’re seeing signs of a drain backup in your home – whether it’s water pooling in your basement, backed up toilets or sinks, or sewage coming up through the drains – don’t wait! Call an emergency plumber here in Denver immediately and get the problem fixed. And remember, regular drain and sewer cleaning may help prevent nasty backups in the future. Give us a call if you need assistance with this important task.

How to Find and Prevent Roots in Your Sewer Line