5 Ways Tree Roots Can Affect Your Drainage System

July 15, 2025

Having trees on your property around your home can significantly enhance its curb appeal. Certain trees can also help improve your home’s energy efficiency by blocking the sun in the summer and allowing it through in the winter. However, no matter what type of trees you have on your property, they all come with a risk to your plumbing system. Here are five ways that trees can adversely affect your home’s plumbing. We’ll also discuss some of the ways to address plumbing problems related to tree roots. 1. Creating Clogs As a tree grows, its need for water can increase exponentially. As a result, most trees grow vast root systems that can dwarf their above-ground parts. Since tree roots aren’t visible, it’s often difficult to gauge their spread, though. However, you should know that a tree will routinely grow roots that penetrate up to 12 feet below the ground. And, a tree’s root system may spread up to four times the diameter of the tree’s crown. As they grow, the roots will gravitate toward any nearby moisture. That makes sewer pipes an attractive target. Tree roots will often find minor defects in a sewer pipe and exploit them to reach...

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18 Things You Should Never Put Down Your Drain

July 8, 2025

Plumbing pipes are durable, but they’re not invincible. You can seriously damage them when you put the wrong items down the drains. Issues like cracks and clogs may occur, leading to needing repairs or complete replacements. If you avoid putting the following items down the drain, you can help protect your plumbing and save yourself a lot of time, stress, and money. 1. Grease, Fat, and Oil Grease, fat, and oil can cause multiple types of problems for your drains, including solidifying and leading to a clog. They can also line the walls of your pipes and attract unwanted critters. Unfortunately, many insects might continue their journey and enter your home through the drains, which is one of the many reasons it’s crucial to avoid tempting them. A better option is to have a designated container, such as a metal coffee can, where you can store the grease, fat, and oil after it cools. Keep a lid on it to avoid attracting bugs, and then, dispose of the entire can in the trash. 2. Plant Matter Many homeowners prepare bouquets over a kitchen sink to contain the material and prevent it from accidentally flying everywhere. Make sure a drain strainer...

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Why Is My Drain Smelling Like Rotten Eggs?

June 13, 2025

When your drain starts to smell like rotten eggs, you know there’s something wrong. You can quickly get rid of that rotten egg smell in many cases. There are tried and true ways to determine what’s causing the smell, and how to fix it, and how to keep it from returning. Rotten Egg Smell Causes and Potential Fixes Bacteria are typically what causes this horrible smell. Bacteria can produce hydrogen sulfide gas, which has that rotten egg smell that’s assaulting your nose. As unpleasant as it can be, this smell is an early warning signal that something is wrong. Taking care of it promptly can prevent bigger and more expensive problems down the road. First, make sure the drains are the source of the problem. Occasionally, the sulfurous smell could be coming instead from the water itself. If you notice that it’s your hot water that smells, your hot water heater may have a corroded anode rod that is causing a chemical reaction. A rarer case would be contaminated water. It’s common for well water to have a rotten egg smell because of bacteria or natural decay. However, if the smell comes from your drains, there are several causes and...

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How Do I Stop My Garbage Disposal From Making Loud Grinding Sounds?

May 9, 2025

Garbage disposals are a modern kitchen convenience that San Antonio, TX, residents have come to rely on for easy and fast cleanups. Plumbed into your sink drain, its internal mechanism grinds food waste into bits, eliminating rotting food and making cleanup after meals easy. But when your disposal begins to sound weird, you can be sure something has gone wrong. The consequences of ignoring these auditory warnings are clogged drains and a kitchen that isn’t running all that smoothly. This guide breaks down common garbage disposal noises, their causes and how to know it’s time to act. What Unusual Garbage Disposal Noises Might Mean Many different factors may cause unusual sounds and could necessitate different solutions. Before attempting a fix for your garbage disposal, listen carefully to the sounds so you know what might be causing them. And if you are unsure, just call us for a professional plumber. Loud Grinding Sounds Loud and harsh grinding sounds are a definite sign of trouble for your garbage disposal. Grinding may indicate a blockage inside the disposal. There might be silverware that has slipped down the drain, animal bones, fruit pits, or other foreign objects that cannot pass through the grinding chamber. Another...

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What Causes Water Hardness?

May 2, 2025

It’s common for homes in the San Antonio, TX area to experience hard water. Hard water exists when there are high concentrations of calcium and magnesium present in the water coming into your house. This isn’t necessarily bad for your health, as minerals play a role in normal bodily functions. However, it can be dangerous for certain people with kidney problems or sensitive skin. Also, hard water can lead to issues with your plumbing system and appliances that utilize water, like your dishwasher and washing machine. There are steps you can take to improve the quality of the water in your home if you’re concerned with the impact of hard water. What Causes Water Hardness? Water naturally moves through the rock and soil that’s in the ground prior to it becoming part of your home’s water source. It’s common for things like limescale and gypsum to have high levels of hard minerals in them. Both limescale and gypsum are common in San Antonio, making hard water a concern for many. Water is hard if hard mineral grains per gallon (gpg) are seven or higher. A gpg measurement of 10.5 or more equates to very hard water. Why Is Hard Water...

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Which Type Of Toilet Is Best?

March 11, 2025

You probably don’t think about your toilet until you need a new one. Then, suddenly, you realize there are way more choices than you expected. Round bowl or elongated? One-piece or two-piece? Standard height or comfort height? And what’s the deal with dual flush anyway? A toilet might seem simple, but picking the right one can make a big difference in your daily routine. At in Antonio, TX, we’ve helped many homeowners find the right toilet for their bathrooms, ensuring comfort, efficiency, and quality. Choosing the best toilet now can save you from headaches (and clogs) later. The Difference Between One-Piece and Two-Piece Toilets When you start looking for a new toilet, one of the first choices you’ll need to make is whether you want a one-piece or a two-piece model. At first glance, they might look pretty similar, but there are some big differences that can affect your bathroom experience every day. A one-piece toilet is exactly what it sounds like — the tank and bowl are all one connected unit. It has a smooth look and is easier to clean because there are no little gaps where dirt and grime like to hide. You know that seam on...

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Is It Worth Switching to a Tankless Water Heater?

March 4, 2025

If your existing water heater is on its last leg, you’re likely thinking about replacing it. When you first start looking at different options, there are two different styles of water heaters that you can purchase: the traditional tank water heater and the newer tankless hot water heater. We’re going to discuss the latter in detail and help you make a better-informed decision about whether or not it’s the right purchase for your home. How Does a Tankless Water Heater Work? Most people are familiar with how a traditional tank-style water heater works. It heats water in a storage tank until you need it. A tankless water heater, on the other hand, operates much differently. Instead of storing water in a tank, a tankless water heater will only heat water as it flows through the hot water line. For example, let’s say that you turn on the hot side of your kitchen faucet. As water moves through the hot water lines in your home, it will go through the tankless water heater. The water heater will heat the water as it flows to your kitchen faucet. Tankless water heaters can run on electricity, natural gas, or even propane, depending on...

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Warning Signs Your Plumbing System Is Headed Toward Failure

December 27, 2024

Plumbing problems can be sneaky, often developing slowly over time before they become significant issues. Catching these problems early can save you from costly repairs and inconvenient disruptions. But how can you tell if your plumbing is in bad shape? It’s not always obvious, and many signs may seem minor at first. However, certain red flags can indicate underlying issues that need attention. At in San Antonio, TX, we’re here to help homeowners with everything from leaky faucets to full-scale plumbing overhauls. Whether you’re dealing with a slow drain or you suspect a hidden pipe issue, we’ll cover the problem in this blog. Unusual Sounds Coming From Pipes One of the first signs homeowners notice when their plumbing is struggling is strange sounds coming from their pipes. These noises can range from a faint rattle to loud banging, and while they might seem harmless, they often signal underlying problems that need attention. One sign could be a loud banging sound when you turn off a tap. This is called a water hammer. It happens when the flow of water stops all of a sudden. The pressure builds up, sending a shockwave through your home that moves pipes and hits the...

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How Do I Know if I Have a Broken Pipe?

September 19, 2024

Leaky pipes in your San Antonio, TX home won’t always leave standing water on your floor or other visible evidence. Some broken pipes can drip for weeks without ever attracting attention. Recognizing the more subtle signs of pipe damage can save you a small fortune in building repairs. The following are 11 ways to know when you have a broken pipe. 1. Sudden and Significant Increases in Your Water Bill Although water rates are bound to rise over time, your water bill shouldn’t experience any sudden and significant increases that aren’t reflective of recent changes in water use. If you haven’t added new members to your household or installed an additional water-reliant appliance, your monthly or bi-monthly water bill should remain much the same. If you’re paying far more for water than you ever have before, there’s a good chance that a water supply line is leaking somewhere in your home or just outside. 2. Strange Activity at Your Water Meter Among the easiest ways to check for a water supply line leak is by turning all your taps and plumbing-connected appliances off and visiting your water meter. If your water meter is actively registering water use even though no...

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What Are The Different Methods Of Leak Detection?

September 12, 2024

Leaks can be more than just a minor inconvenience—they can cause serious damage if not found early. That’s why using the right leak detection methods is essential to maintain your home’s plumbing system. At in San Antonio, TX, we pride ourselves on our ability to help our customers with all their plumbing needs. Let’s explore how we search for home water leaks to ensure your plumbing system flows efficiently. Visual Inspection: Spotting the Signs of a Leak A visual inspection is often the first step in finding a leak. With this method, all plumbing fixtures, pipes, and connections that can be reached are carefully checked for any obvious signs of leaks, like water stains, mold growth, pooling water, or pipe corrosion. Homeowners can regularly inspect their homes by looking under sinks, around toilets, and along walls where plumbing runs. But a professional inspection looks deeper than what meets the eye. Skilled plumbers know where to look for leaks that aren’t as obvious, such as discolored walls or ceilings, smelly or wet places where they should be dry, and other signs of a hidden leak. Visual inspection is an excellent way to find small leaks before they become bigger problems, like...

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