Over the years, I’ve learned that issues with the plumbing system are common.
From insufficient water pressure to discolored water and clogs, the plumbing is a never-ending source of problems, headaches and expense.
When we first bought our house, the older pipes were continually succumbing to leaks and blockages. We had major concerns with tree root intrusion. One of the reasons we were drawn to the property was the very old, very large trees. They are gorgeous and provide a lovely source of shade. However, they also require a lot of raking and nearly destroyed our plumbing system. Because the pipes are concealed underground, we had no idea that roots had grown into them. The home inspection didn’t find the problem. Shortly after we moved in, we were faced with soggy areas in the backyard and slow-moving drains. We devoted a lot of time and energy into plunging, using a plumbing snake and mixing up natural drain cleaning remedies from salt, borax and vinegar. Nothing seemed to help. When I noticed a sewage odor in the backyard, I decided it was time to hire a professional plumber. The plumber provided a video inspection of the sewer lines that revealed an alarming level of tree root intrusion. The roots prevented water from flowing properly through the lines. The moist areas in the yard were due to the sewer line leaking and wastewater seeping into the ground. The water was working as a fertilizer and responsible for the lush, green grass we were so happy about. Getting rid of the tree roots was an expensive and lengthy project. In some areas we were able to take advantage of trenchless pipe liners. In areas where the damage was more severe, the sections of pipes needed to be entirely replaced.