TV Inspection

Most people enjoy the beauty and splendor of big, mature trees, especially when they provide a lot of shade during the hot summer months. As a child, or when you were a young adult and you rented your first house, you probably didn’t put much thought into the trees surrounding your home. Back then, the trees were probably ornamental in your eyes, plus they provided some nice shade. Once you’re a homeowner, your views about trees can shift dramatically. Suddenly, you’ll be concerned about how close trees are located to sewer lines and whether thirsty tree roots are going to wreak havoc on your plumbing system and cost you thousands of dollars in repairs. Sewer lines are a magnet for thirsty tree roots. After all, the pipes provide an ample supply of water and oxygen that the roots need to thrive. Once a root discovers a leaky pipe underground, the

Are you buying a new home? When we say “new,” we’re not necessarily talking about a brand new home, but new to you. If you put an offer in on a house, you’re going to order a home inspection and depending on where you live, possibly a termite inspection. But, what about the plumbing, have you put much thought into that? Home buyers need to know all of what they’re getting into or they may end up in hot water. Let’s say you found your dream home. It’s been a rental for the last 20 years, but you don’t mind. The owners recently re-painted the whole house from the inside out, and they installed new carpets. You’re ready to make an offer and seal the deal, assuming the inspection goes well. The general contractor who moonlights as a home inspector, or the inspection service recommended by the real estate agent,

Are you a property or facility manager? If so, dealing with the plumbing will be a big part of your job, but you already knew that. Technically, the plumbing is made up all of the building’s pipes and fixtures, such as the faucets that distribute water throughout the building and remove the wastewater. The sewers and water mains are not considered the actual plumbing. Instead, it’s the parts that are a part of the building that is the “plumbing.” Generally, the plumbing pipes in a commercial building will be made out of copper, brass, or stainless steel, but plastic is becoming increasingly common. Inside of a commercial building there are three inter-connected systems, which include the water supply lines, the wastewater drain lines, and finally the vents. The wastewater lines rely on the vents and vice versa; this is known as the “DMV system.” The vents are critical because they

Most of us can agree that trees, especially large mature trees, are beautiful. A yard filled with lush trees can make all the difference in the way a property looks, but unfortunately, big trees can spell disaster for a home’s sewer pipes, and when it comes to your sewer line, the last thing you want to hear are the words “blockage” and “tree roots”! Tree roots have many functions for the tree itself, and one of the major functions tree roots serve is to find water, wherever it can, and that includes drain pipes and sewer pipes. As new roots develop and seek water, the root invasion may begin.  Tendrils that resemble spider webs will creep into the tiny cracks from corrosion in the clay pipes, or loose joints, and once they find the source of the moisture, the root system will send tree roots, which after consistent liquid nourishment,

Big, mature trees are often welcomed with open arms by homeowners. They provide shade, they improve the aesthetics of a yard, and they make a neighborhood look splendid. Unfortunately, while they beautify our front and back yards, they can also wreak havoc on our indoor plumbing system. In order for trees to grow, they must have water. So, tree roots naturally seek water and they gravitate towards sewer lines. Roots have never found a plumbing leak they didn’t like! Whenever a tree root does find a leak, it won’t take long before the roots grow into the pipe, inhibiting the flow of waste. When tree roots grow into pipes in their continuous search of water, the roots cause broken pipes, blockages, and other plumbing problems for homeowners, especially problems involving sewage. As you can imagine, a sewage leak is not only messy, it’s unsanitary, and people are not supposed to

Each spring, as the grass gets greener and buds to turn to bright green leaves on tree branches, something is happening beneath the soil. Millions of thirsty tree roots are eagerly seeking water and clogging household sewer lines. Root infiltration is a major concern for homeowners, and it’s one of the main reasons why homeowners experience problems with their drainage systems, especially in the spring and in neighborhoods with old homes and mature trees. Tree roots are having a love affair with sewer pipes, and they’re a match made in heaven. Since a well-sized tree needs over 150 gallons of water each day, it only makes sense why a leaking sewer pipe is a convenient source of water. It can be frustrating for a homeowner to discover that a city’s or neighbor’s tree is dining in their front yard, but it’s a problem they can’t ignore. Heavy root infestations can