3 Important Facts You Need to Know about Sewer Line Tree Root Intrusion

A sewer line tree root intrusion is one of the more common but devastating plumbing issues Murrieta homeowners can encounter. At its worst, tree root intrusion can compromise your plumbing system, dealing untold damage and necessitating costly repairs. 

Successfully dealing with a tree root intrusion and avoiding its most severe consequences starts with understanding the ins and outs of the issue so that you’re prepared and know what to expect.  

Consequences of Root Infiltration in Your Sewer Line

  • Ruptured Pipes: Tree roots gravitate toward water sources, meaning your pipes are a natural target. Once inside your pipes, tree roots will expand quickly by feeding off the nutrient-heavy environment, eventually rupturing and tearing apart your sewer line. 
  • Sinkholes: Openings created by a root infiltration will allow water from a sewer line to leak into your yard. This can sometimes lead to sinkholes forming, ruining your landscaping and yard.  
  • Necessary Repairs: A tree root intrusion means that your pipes have been compromised and either need to be repaired or replaced. The extent of the damage will determine the proper course of action and how much you’ll have to pay. In most instances, the earlier you catch a tree root intrusion, the less severe and costly the repairs will be. 

Signs of Tree Root Intrusion in Your Sewer Line

  • Frequent Drain or Toilet Clogs: If you are suffering from recurrent drain or toilet clogs, there’s a significant chance that a root intrusion has occurred. Once they’ve made their way into your plumbing system, tree roots will spread and create blockages throughout your sewer line. These blockages will obstruct materials from going down your various drains and lead to clogs. 
  • A Flooded Lawn: If you haven’t been watering your lawn or experienced rainy weather recently, a flooded yard should rouse some suspicion. Your sewer line is likely leaking from a tree root intrusion, causing your yard to turn into a watery mess.  
  • Sewage Smells: A root infiltration will open up your sewer line, allowing the odors within them to escape and circulate throughout your home. A clear sign that something is wrong with your plumbing is if there’s a noticeable, persistent smell of sewage in and around your property. 

How to Avoid a Tree Root Intrusion

  • Mindful Landscaping: Don’t let the fear of a root infiltration preclude you from landscaping choices like planting a tree. As long as you know where your sewer line is located and do your landscaping safely away from any pipes, you should be able to avoid a tree root intrusion. 
  • Look After Your Plumbing System: A tree root intrusion cannot occur if a plumbing system is in excellent health, without compromised areas or weak spots. Ensure that your sewer line is at its best by working with a professional plumbing service to schedule regular maintenance and repairs. Your pipes will remain structurally sound and free of cracks or leaks that serve as openings for tree roots.  

No one is better suited to help you avoid or deal with a tree root infiltration than ProFlo Plumbers. Our world-class plumbing repair and maintenance services will strengthen and rid your sewer line of any present issues, making problems like root intrusion less likely to arise. We have benefited countless Murrieta residents, providing them with a healthy, high-level plumbing system, and we can do so for you as well. If you have a home plumbing issue that cannot wait until the next day, our emergency plumbing services are the solution for you. To see how ProFlo Plumbers can help you, contact us today at (951) 327-7688 or visit us online.

4 Plumbing Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Plumbing Safe This Winter

Winter is one of the harshest times of the year for plumbing systems in Murrieta homes. The harsh winter climate features everything from extreme weather to increased usage during the holiday season that will make life challenging for your plumbing, testing its durability and performance. 

While the chances of a plumbing malfunction rise heavily during the winter, that doesn’t mean homeowners can’t do anything to help minimize risk. You can reduce the likelihood of many sewer line issues simply by being proactive and taking the necessary steps to keep your plumbing system safe and healthy all winter. 

Turning Off Your Outside Water Valves

When outdoor temperatures drop below freezing, your pipes can become frozen and even rupture, compromising your plumbing system and causing untold damage. Burst pipes are an expensive problem to address, and any solution homeowners use will force you to empty your wallet.  

Avoid a frozen sewer line by turning off your outdoor water valves and covering all pipes in uninsulated areas of your home with wrapped towels for additional protection against the frigid weather. 

Take Care of your Water Heater

Your water heater is crucial this time of the year because it facilitates warm water to plumbing fixtures like your shower and bath faucets, helping you deal with the low temperatures outside. It would be a catastrophe if your water heater were to fail and prevent you from receiving hot water while you shower or bathe.  

Scheduling regular water heater maintenance and keeping it in good health will ensure that it continues to function smoothly without issue. If anything ever occurs to your water heater, have a professional plumbing service come by to inspect your unit and provide their expertise. They’ll be able to repair whatever is ailing your water heater or even replace it if necessary. 

Know Where Your Main Water Valve is Located

If a plumbing disaster like pipe bursting were to occur, one of the first things you may have to do is shut off all the water in your home to prevent a bad situation from evolving into an even worse one. This means that knowing the location of your main water valve is a necessity. 

While every home has a different layout, the main valve is often located next to the water meter. Check to see if this is the case – if it isn’t, find the actual location of your main water valve. Once you locate your valve, verify it is fully operational and working as intended.   

Practice Proper Disposal

Several holidays occur during the winter, so you’re likely cooking and preparing more meals than usual. Increased time in the kitchen will often leave more messes, leftovers and table scraps that need to be disposed of. Your disposal method can either benefit or hurt your plumbing system.

Improper disposal can put needless stress on your sewer line. Reckless actions like pouring fats or oils down a drain are harmful to your plumbing because they will thicken and harden, eventually leading to clogged pipes. Clogs can disrupt your plumbing and be a precursor to several severe issues. 

Pour your fats and oils elsewhere in a safer spot and correctly dispose of your other cooking leftovers to preserve the stellar condition of your plumbing system.  

The winter season won’t be easy on your plumbing. Ensure it makes it through the end of the year uninterrupted by a malfunction or performance issues by turning to ProFlo Plumbers for help. We offer solutions like plumbing repair and maintenance services that keep your sewer line safe from everything winter brings. You can trust us to look after your plumbing system due to our successful work with Murrieta residents, helping them steer clear of expensive and disruptive sewer line problems. If something does happen this winter, our emergency plumbing services are the solution for home plumbing issues that cannot wait until the next day. To see how ProFlo Plumbers can help you, contact us at (951) 327-7688 or visit us online.

4 Plumbing Maintenance Tasks to Take Care of This Fall

Fall is in full swing, and if you haven’t completed your seasonal plumbing maintenance tasks for your Murrieta home yet, now is the time to do so. It’s crucial to get this work done before the arrival of winter to ensure that your plumbing system is prepared for the season’s typically colder and rainier weather, which can wreak havoc on sewer lines that haven’t been maintained. However, with how vast a plumbing system is, which areas should property owners prioritize this fall for maintenance, and how should they go about doing it? 

Look For Plumbing Leaks

Leaks can devastate a home, potentially causing extensive water damage, a compromised plumbing system and out-of-control mold growth. The best way to avoid these consequences and limit the impact of leaks is by spotting them early and repairing or replacing whatever is causing them. 

Homeowners don’t have to burden themselves with inspecting every plumbing fixture and water supply line to look for leaks. Contractors like ProFlo Plumbers offer leak detection services that can locate even the most well-hidden leaks.

Clean Your Drains

The holiday season is on the horizon, so you want to ensure that your drains and plumbing system are ready for the busy times ahead. Getting your drains cleaned now with a professional drain cleaning service can prevent future clogs and help keep things running smoothly. Clogged drains are a pain to deal with and can even lead to serious plumbing problems like sewage backup, which is why drain claiming is a necessary fall maintenance task for any homeowner. 

Test Your Sump Pump

Any homeowner who owns a sump pump knows how useful it is after a day of heavy rain and flooding as it helps remove excess water, preventing damage to your home and plumbing. The chances of rainy weather are much higher in winter than in other seasons, so you want to ensure that your sump pump is ready in the event it’s required. 

One area of your sump pump that you’ll need to inspect is the outlet drain to see if there are any clogs. If there is, you’ll need to have it removed so that your sump pump can work as intended. After this check, you can test your sump pump by pouring a bucket of water into the crock. If it turns on, your sump pump is likely in fine condition.

Maintain Your Water Heater

You can’t forget about your water heater when considering which parts of your plumbing system to prioritize for fall maintenance work. Regular water heater maintenance can make a substantial difference, helping extend its lifespan, enhance its performance, and remove any excess sediment buildup. You won’t regret using your time this fall scheduling maintenance for your water heater.

Get your fall plumbing maintenance tasks done with help from ProFlo Plumbers. We offer solutions for every plumbing need with our industry-leading plumbing repair and maintenance services. You can trust us to keep your plumbing system in excellent health, as we have already helped so many homeowners, including Murrieta residents, stay free of expensive sewer line problems that demand costly and disruptive repairs. For home plumbing issues that cannot wait until the next day, our emergency plumbing services are the solution for you. To see how ProFlo Plumbers can help you, contact us today at (951) 327-7688 or visit us online.

3 Essential Maintenance Tips to Prevent Major Plumbing Leak Repair

Major plumbing leaks can cause substantial property damage and necessitate expensive repairs, which is why every homeowner must ask themselves if they are doing everything they can to prevent a significant plumbing leak. While most homeowners know that looking after the health of their pipes and plumbing fixtures is an excellent way to stop leaks, not as many recognize the need to protect vulnerable areas that can be susceptible if the proper steps aren’t taken. 

Look After the Outside of Your Home

Water can often make its way into a basement because of factors like hydrostatic and lateral pressure. Both hydrostatic and lateral pressure is when a force of water puts persistent pressure against your home’s foundation and the basement walls. Eventually, the pressure is enough to damage your foundation and cause leaks.

Gutters and downspouts are crucial outdoor mechanisms that direct water away from your home and its foundation. However, they can occasionally become clogged, allowing water to flow against your foundation and putting you at risk of a major plumbing leak repair. Remove any clogs that prevent your gutters and downspouts from keeping water away from your property to ensure that your basement stays dry. 

Prevent Basement Cracks

Poor construction can leave your foundation exposed and prone to cracking, making leaks in your basement more likely. Homeowners can try to make up for a poorly-constructed foundation by applying a waterproofing mixture to the basement floors and walls to provide protection. 

However, waterproofing won’t do much if cracks and damage are already present within your floors and walls. Homeowners must have any cracks and damage repaired before applying the waterproofing mixture. For additional protection, property owners can opt for cement coatings to provide an extra layer against the outside elements. 

Window Wells

While window wells serve as a way for you to provide light and air to your basement, they can also allow water to enter. When your window well becomes filled with water because of a clog, missing drain, or some other issue, it can eventually leak into your basement if left unaddressed.

Prevent water from seeping into your basement by having a plumbing service handle your window well. They’ll have a solution for whatever problem your window well is suffering from. Whether unclogging an old drain or installing a new one, a professional residential plumbing service in Murrieta will know precisely what to do.  

Avoid major plumbing leaks in your basement and throughout your home by turning to ProFlo Plumbers for help. We offer world-class plumbing repair and maintenance services that keep your sewer line healthy, stopping leaks before they even happen. Our work has helped countless homeowners, including Murrieta residents, stay free of expensive sewer line problems like leaks that require costly and disruptive plumbing leak repairs. For home plumbing issues that cannot wait until the next day, our emergency plumbing services are the solution for you. To see how ProFlo Plumbers can help you, contact us today at (951) 327-7688 or visit us online.

3 Things to Know about the Lifespan of Your Galvanized Pipes

Galvanized pipes have an average lifespan of around 40 to 50 years. Still, as with other types of plumbing, they can continue to operate even beyond this range with regular maintenance and repairs. If you’re a Murrieta homeowner with galvanized pipes a few decades old and seemingly at the end of their functional lifespan, you’ve likely reached a point where you’re considering your options on what to do with your plumbing. 

The Age of Your Pipes

Knowing your plumbing’s age can help determine your next steps if your home has galvanized pipes. As galvanized steel pipework was primarily used in homes during the 1960s and is no longer featured in modern construction, your sewer line is likely decades old and beyond its functional lifespan. 

However, if you want to receive an expert opinion on the matter before making any definitive decisions, contact a professional plumbing service to inspect your pipes and have them provide their assessment. 

Common Issues of Aged Galvanized Piping

As galvanized pipes get older, they experience a steep dropoff in performance and begin to exhibit various issues. These problems are common, and every homeowner with galvanized plumbing will likely encounter them at some point. They include:

  • Low Water Pressure: Over time, sediment will build up within your galvanized pipes, decreasing the amount of space for water to flow through them. With less water being able to move through your pipes at any given moment, water pressure will be significantly reduced.  
  • Hard Water: Extensive mineral accumulation within galvanized pipes results in hard water coming out of the faucets and showers throughout your home. Homeowners will even see mineral deposits on a number of their plumbing fixtures.
  • Leaks: Aged galvanized piping is prone to leaks due to its deteriorating health and compromised structure. Leaks are particularly troublesome because they can worsen quickly and cause considerable damage in little time. 

Maintenance, Repairs or Replacement

While it may be tempting to want to keep your current galvanized plumbing system and continue maintaining it, homeowners should choose galvanized pipe replacement instead.  Installing new piping will ensure more effective plumbing, saving homeowners tons of money as you will no longer have to pay the costly monthly utility bills and expensive repairs for leaks, water damage and other issues your existing pipes suffer from. 

Galvanized pipe replacement is also worthwhile because of its safety. Unlike galvanized piping, modern pipework doesn’t contain harmful elements like lead that are dangerous to your health. With new pipes, you won’t have to worry about rust or contaminated water issues that are a serious risk with galvanized plumbing.  

 

Keeping galvanized pipes is an unnecessary risk to your health and safety. Get them replaced today with the help of ProFlo Plumbers. We specialize in pipe repair and replacement projects and have helped countless Murrieta residents transition to a modern plumbing system. Our team of licensed, elite plumbers are the best in the business and are ready for any task you have for them. For plumbing issues that cannot wait until the next day, our emergency plumbing services are the solution for you. To see how ProFlo Plumbers can help you, contact us today at (951) 327-7688 or visit us online.

4 Dangerous Signs of Tree Root Intrusion in Your Sewer Line

Tree root intrusions are one of the biggest threats to the health of a residential plumbing system. Root infiltration can lead to a clogged sewer line, damaged pipes and even compromise your entire plumbing system, forcing homeowners to replace it altogether. However, these consequences can be avoided if homeowners locate and address the intrusion early enough. 

Discovering when tree roots have penetrated a sewer line isn’t the easiest task – by the time many property owners realize that it has occurred, it’s too late. Fortunately, there are noticeable signs that inform homeowners of when there’s a tree root blockage that allows for quick and decisive action to be taken.

Frequent Toilet Backups

One aspect of your plumbing that is affected when there is a tree root infiltration is your toilet. Root intrusions cause frequent blockages of the toilet, as tree roots that make their way into your pipes will often obstruct toilet paper and other materials from going down your drain. If you notice that your toilet is regularly backing up, you could be dealing with a severe plumbing issue like tree root intrusion and should immediately investigate.  

Gurgling Sounds

Some signs of a tree root intrusion are more evident than others. When roots create a blockage within a residential plumbing system, gurgling noises will likely start emitting from drains throughout your home. These loud, noticeable sounds result from water attempting to move past the roots, causing a blockage within your drain. The next time you hear gurgling sounds while emptying the sink or flushing the toilet, quickly get in touch with a plumbing company for help. 

Skyrocketing Water Bills

If you find yourself suddenly paying much more on your water bill for no apparent reason, the answer to this troubling development could lie within your pipes. Tree root intrusion can damage your sewer line and create openings within your plumbing system that allow water to leak out endlessly. This will waste gallons of water and dramatically increase the cost of your monthly bill. 

Sinkholes

Spotting sinkholes and soft spots should concern any homeowner, as it signals the possibility of a lingering plumbing problem that requires immediate attention. Leaking water from a sewer line that tree roots have punctured can sometimes cause sinkholes to form in your yard. As soon as sinkholes arise anywhere in your backyard, contact a professional plumbing service to look at your situation and give an official diagnosis. 

The most vulnerable sewer lines to tree root infiltration are those that haven’t been well-maintained or received timely repairs. Keep your plumbing system healthy and protected against all threats by working with ProFlo Plumbers. Our industry-leading plumbing repair and maintenance services have helped countless Murrieta residents stay free of expensive sewer line problems like root intrusion. We strengthen and modernize residential plumbing systems, decreasing the likelihood of any issues arising. For home plumbing issues that cannot wait until the next day, our emergency plumbing services are the solution for you. To see how ProFlo Plumbers can help you, contact us today at (951) 327-7688 or visit us online.

How Do Tree Roots Cause Damage to Your Residential Plumbing’s Sewer Line?

The importance of our plumbing system in our daily lives means that taking care of it and keeping it in good health should be a top priority for every homeowner. However, this is easier said than done because of the number of threats your plumbing faces.

While many things can damage your residential plumbing system, homeowners should be particularly wary of root intrusion. Root infiltration can wreak havoc on your plumbing system by causing significant damage and leaving it vulnerable to numerous other issues. But what exactly makes root intrusion so troublesome for your pipes, and can anything be done about it?

What Roots Do to Your Pipes

As tree roots tend to gravitate toward sources of water and nutrients, your sewer pipes are a natural target. If your pipes are cracked or leaking in any location, roots will look to make their way into your plumbing system to feed on its nutrient-heavy environment.

Once inside your sewer line, tree roots can settle and spread quickly, causing problems throughout your residential plumbing system. If not dealt with quickly enough, tree root intrusion can lead to a clogged sewer line, damaged pipes and other severe issues that threaten the health and safety of those within your home.

Root infiltration can even destroy your residential plumbing, forcing you to pursue pipe repair or replacement options and massively disrupting your daily life.

How to Prevent Root Infiltration

Avoiding tree root infiltration and its disastrous consequences starts with keeping your plumbing system in stellar condition. Work with a reputable plumbing service to schedule regular maintenance and repairs to ensure that your pipes are structurally sound and free of cracks or leaks. Tree roots cannot enter a sewer line that is healthy and without compromised areas or weak spots.

What to Do If You Have Roots in Your Pipes

If you suspect that roots have already made their way into your pipes, you cannot waste any time and must immediately act. Contact a professional plumbing service like ProFlo Plumbers and have them assess your situation with a sewer camera inspection and verify if a tree root intrusion has occurred.

If you catch a root infiltration early enough, you can pursue options like hydro-jetting service and trenchless sewer line repair that should get your plumbing back on track without causing much disruption. Trenchless sewer repair is a non-intrusive and affordable way to rid your pipes of roots and prevent future growth. However, if a root intrusion has done too much damage, homeowners will likely have to replace their pipes to preserve the rest of their sewer line.

Guarantee a healthy sewer line protected against tree root infiltration by proactively maintaining and repairing your pipes before they can worsen. Turn to ProFlo Plumbers, as we’ve assisted countless Murrieta, Temecula and Canyon Lake residents with our world-class plumbing repair and maintenance services. Our work can help strengthen and modernize your plumbing systems, decreasing the likelihood of any issues arising. For home plumbing issues that cannot wait until the next day, our emergency plumbing services are the solution for you. To see how ProFlo Plumbers can help you, contact us today at (951) 327-7688 or visit us online.

Important Facts to Know about Using PEX Piping for Galvanized Pipe Replacement

Galvanized steel was once the primary piping material used for homes. However, we now understand that galvanized pipework poses numerous health risks for homeowners, shifting toward more efficient and safer materials like PEX piping.

If you own an older home that was built decades ago and have not replaced your plumbing system over the years, there’s a good chance that you have galvanized steel pipes. Work with a reputable plumbing service to see if this is the case. Once your plumbing service has confirmed that your home has galvanized pipes, you can start your transition to PEX piping through galvanized pipe replacement.

Why Galvanized Pipes Need to Be Replaced

Galvanized pipes are coated with a layer of zinc intended to prevent rust buildup. However, despite this coating, years of use will eventually lead to extensive rusting and corrosion.

Corroded galvanized pipes are hazardous because galvanized steel contains large amounts of lead and iron. Large-scale corrosion could result in iron, lead and rust in your drinking water. Consuming contaminated drinking water will make you sick and lead to severe health issues.

Why Are PEX Pipes a Better Alternative?

When you decide to replace your galvanized pipework, you’ll have several piping options to choose from. A popular choice homeowners frequently turn to is PEX piping because of its many advantages over other materials, such as low cost. Its affordability makes it attractive to homeowners who don’t want to spend a fortune on plumbing.

PEX piping’s lower cost comes from its simple composition and straightforward installation. A smooth galvanized pipe replacement project won’t just save homeowners a lot of time but also tons of money. PEX piping is incredibly flexible and can be easily installed in any area, including tiny and confined spaces that typically trouble other, more rigid piping materials.

PEX piping is durable and can withstand even the most challenging conditions and extensive wear and tear. PEX pipes typically last between 40 to 50 years, providing homeowners decades of high-level performance from their residential plumbing system.

When Repiping Is Needed

We recommend galvanized pipe replacement as soon as possible because of their many risks. A plumbing system composed of galvanized pipework threatens your health and safety and can cause severe damage to your home. If you’re unsure if you have galvanized pipes, there are also clear visual and audible signs that tell you the right time to repipe your home, such as:

  • Low water pressure
  • Leaking pipes
  • Discolored Water
  • Comprehensive corrosion on your pipes
  • Funny taste or foul smell to your water
  • Your water fluctuates between hot and cold

Don’t waste another second with galvanized pipes. Keep you and your family safe by contacting the galvanized pipe replacement experts at ProFlo Plumbers, who specialize in pipe repair and replacement projects. Our team of licensed, skilled plumbers has years of experience delivering world-class plumbing services like galvanized pipe replacement to Murrieta, Temecula and Canyon Lake residents. There’s no better plumbing service you can trust to handle your plumbing system than ProFlo Plumbers. For plumbing issues that cannot wait until the next day, our emergency plumbing services are the solution for you. To see how ProFlo Plumbers can help you, contact us today at (951) 327-7688 or visit us online.