 | Tommy Steven is the President of Reddi Industries of Wichita. He manages the service departments of Reddi Root'r, M.K. Plumbing, Derby Plumbing and Andover Plumbing. He manages and works with both journeyman plumbers and licensed drain cleaners. He has been involved in the plumbing industry through the family business for over fifteen years, and has been the General Manager of Reddi Industries for the last six years. Mr. Steven regularly attends trade conventions and seminars to keep abreast of the latest technology in his field. You may call him at (316) 681-3382, or e-mail tommy@wichitausa.com |
Plumbing
2005-01-01 09:20:00
Roots again.... what do I do?
ANSWER: Tree roots in sewer lines are probably one of the top ten plumbing problems, especially in older homes. Mother Nature has equipped many trees with sophisticated sensing capabilities. The trees send out feeder roots in all directions in a search for both nutrients and water. Due to the fact that sewer lines continually have water running through the line on a regular basis, roots are naturally drawn to this water source.Tree roots enter sewer pipes through small cracks in the joints between individual pieces of pipe. Old clay pipes often had the joints packed with mortar. Over time this mortar can develop cracks or shrinkage cracks can develop as the mortar hardens. If tiny feeder roots discover these cracks they enter the pipe and continue their search for moisture and food. Once inside the pipe the roots enlarge and gorge themselves on the plentiful supply of water and food. Sewer workers have actually taken out grotesque roots that have been over ten feet long and nearly one inch thick in diameter. Did you know that putting the byproducts of your home-cooked meals down the kitchen sink can cause sewer overflows? All year long, people pour byproducts of cooking down their sink drain and the fats, oil and grease build up in pipes and cause blockages, which can lead to sewage backups and overflows inside homes or in public streets. Here are a few steps you can take to help prevent this problem:• Do not put dairy products, fats, oil, grease or greasy foods down the garbage disposal or drain. • Freeze small amounts of fats, oils and grease in a lidded container and dispose of it in a trash receptacle. • Mix small amounts of cooking oil with an absorbent material such as cat litter or coffee grounds, place it in a lidded container and dispose of it in a trash receptacle. • For large quantities of cooking oil and other fats (1 gallon or more), call the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility in your area, for guidance on disposal.• Finally, when you see the stools or floor drains begin to show signs of backing up, or not flowing properly into the sewage system, it's time to call in the experts to clean those lines out. Pouring drain cleaners down the drain can become draining on your wallet, and you more than likely, will not solve your drainage problem that way.
