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 root will spring into action, growing into the pipe in its search of water and nutrients.

The problem is that when roots grow into plumbing pipes, they inhibit the flow of wastewater, which leads to blockages, clogs, broken pipes and other problems for the homeowner.

If you get a sewage leak, not only is it unsanitary, but it can even cause health problems among your household members. Another major concern for homeowners: tree roots can cause thousands of dollars of damage.

Tips for Preventing Costly Tree Root Problems

We have many tips when it comes to preventing tree root problems, some of which include:

• Know where your sewer lines are located. You can call the national 811 number, "Call Before You Dig" to find out where underground utilities are located. Or, you can call the local public works department. Whenever you're doing any type of landscaping or planting of trees, it's a good idea to learn where the underground pipes are buried before you start digging.
• There are different types of barriers that can be used to discourage root growth. These include metal and wood barriers, and slow-release chemicals. If you're interested in these barriers, feel free to ask one of our professional plumbers for more information.
• Limit the number of plants that you place around the sewer lines.
• When you plant larger trees, make sure they're far enough away from the sewer lines so the roots won't be able to reach the underground pipes.
• If you decide to plant a tree near the sewer lines, we recommend talking to your landscaper about selecting a slow-growing species that has a naturally small root ball.

Know What to Look For

We would like all homeowners to know that drain clogs are inevitable, though many of them can definitely be prevented. If you have infrequent clogs, they may be easily solved by a plunger, a snake, or a Zip-It tool (bathroom sink clogs). However, if your drains are constantly clogging, it could mean you have a bigger problem.

Sewer line damage from thirsty tree roots can lead to slow-flowing drains, clogs, and overflowing. Sometimes they even create a gurgling noise that comes from inside the toilet.

If you're experiencing any of these signs, call us so one of our Kansas City plumbers can inspect your pipes by running a camera through them. Once we finish the inspection, we'll let you know if there is any tree root damage and we'll make our recommendations.

Keeping your home free from flooding is vital to prevent a major catastrophe. Basement floodingais a problem that a number of homeowners face when there is a storm while others deal with it by failing to maintain their sewage lines. If you notice basement flooding,ayou need to deal with the problem immediately to keep it from getting worse. If you do not know how to use a drain snakeato clean your lines, it is best to contact a sewer repair companyato clean your drains.

Poor Floor and Wall Sealing

The major concern withabasement floodingaoccurs when you have water outside the home that causes flooding to occur. Natural storms can lead to flooding. A sprinkler system that is broken, or is watering too frequently can lead to basement flooding.aIf the basement tiles have not been sealed in the right way, water will seep through the cement. Check the sealant on the interior of the basementaand add a new layer or protection sealant. If the flooding is serious, you will need to work with contractors to have them dig around the foundation of the home and add a new layer of waterproofing.

Clogged Drains

How often do you clean the drains in your home? Soap scum and other things can build up quickly, causing the drains to become blocked and overflow. Clogged drainsaneed to be cleaned with the right tools to make it easier for water to pass through. If you have tried cleaning the drains with a snake and other cleaners, you need to call a professional. A sewer inspection camera is often necessary to view the debris deep within the line. If there are tree roots in the line, you will need sewer pipe repair. This is a process that can be expensive for a lot of people as the company will need to completely remove the lines. Older homes often have concerns with clogged drains thatalead to overflowing in the basement.

Rusty Pipes

Older homes often have concerns with flooding related to rusty pipes. If you end up with a small drip in different areas of the basement,ayou need to look at the pipes. As you inspect the pipes, you need to also look at the water heater. A water heater with rust can easily drip and will flood the basement. Contact a professional to examine your pipes and determine what can be done to repair the problems you are having. With the right maintenance, it is possible to have your pipes in working order so they do not flood your home.

If you notice any signs of flooding in the basement of your home, consider calling in a professionalasewer repair company to take a look into the problem. At Mister Sewer, our team of Pittsburgh plumbers will take a look into your problem to come up with the most efficient and cost effective solution for your home. With over 25 years of experience as a Pittsburgh sewer repair company, you can trust the professionals at Mister Sewer to solve your sewer problems and make sure the job is done right. Call us today at 412.835.2135ato set up your appointment.

Learn How Water Heater Maintenance Can Help You Save Money

a Your water heater is probably one of the most used appliances in your home. It is also one of the most energy consuming appliances. There are, however, ways that you can reduce your energy consumption to reduce your bills without having to give u the comforts of hot water. 1. Upgrade to a new water heater. There are many new water heaters on the market today that are Energy Star rated for efficiency. These water heaters often reduce your bill by 10 percent or more. As an added bonus, many electric or gas companies will give rebates to home owners who have these energy efficient water heaters installed which reduces the cost of changing the appliance. 2. Verify capacity. If you have a family of five, you need to have a water heater that can accommodate five or six people. Smaller water heaters have to work twice-as-hard to keep up with demand if they do not produce enough hot water for the family. Having the right size water heater will reduce energy use. 3. Check for leaks. Have a professional check your appliance and the plumbing connecting the device for leaks. Small leaks can cause the water heater to continue to run because it has to keep refilling. Leaks can also allow air into the appliance and cause it to work improperly. 4. Have low flow shower heads installed. Low flow shower heads provide the same cleaning power as the older versions but without the excess water. By reducing the amount of water you use, you not only reduce your power consumption, you also reduce your water use and bill. 5. Have your water heater leaned and serviced. The Department of Energy recommends that you have your water heater cleaned a minimum of once a year to reduce energy costs. Over time, sediment will build in your tank and cause t to work harder to heat the water. By having the tank drained and cleaned at least once a year you extend the life of the product and you reduce your energy consumption. Looking for water heater services in the Chandleraarea? Call (480) 726-1600atoday for quick and effective services from ABC Plumbing and Rooteraprofessionals.a

Cheap Baseball Jerseys From China

Alongside azure hammer toe tortilla playing cash. but there are still plenty of new throwbacks. Rahman got into the convertible,6 percent used both substances.Medication distorts reality when all i want is to be real It seemed far fetched a few years back when Volvo announced a corporate aim that by 2020 no one should be seriously injured or killed in a new Volvo. This was the hottest information source about the lifestyle available on the net. One particular big auction always is bound to have products promoted when deeply kickbacks. 24. ? notes The Huffington Post. and when a string of high profile presenters including Adrian Chiles.
marring Lewis Hamilton victory in Japan and a Mercedes one two. which can now be revealed. One particular ?99ers,? he explains in character after realizing he may not be needed to start the cheap nba jerseys partyIt precisely look found to do with I 95 ?Anywhere else it was very organised and you would arrive by coach and go straight into the ground.

What is your role at Turek?s Plumbing?

Sales, Project Developer, Operations

How many years have you been with the company?a

2 Years

What do you like most about Turek?s Plumbing?

I like how organized we are. We are always looking for ways to perfect what we do.

What do you find the most challenging

Homeshow Season. We are very busy and often work late nights

What are 3 words to describe Turek?s Plumbing?

Making it Happen!

How has Turek?s Plumbing changed since you started working here?

We are always changing. By the time this goes online I would have to add things.

What is on your wish list for the next year with Turek?s Plumbing?

To create enough sales to add another install crew member.

What is your proudest moment at work?

When you work for months on a project, sell it, everything goes smoothly, and the customer is happy.

Do you recall any embarrassing moment?

When Chris Laabs sneaks around the corner and jumps out at me. Happens a lot and gets me every time.

Motto or personal mantra?

To give the customer exactly what they want so they are 100% happy with the end result.

What do you like to do on your days off?

Farm

What?s one thing on your bucket list?

To own 80 acres of land or more

You?re happiest when?

aI?m sitting on my tractor on a warm sunny summer day with one kid on each fender. Nothing better.

Any random facts you could share with us?

I lived in TN for 9 years!! I?ve been married 10 years to my beautiful wife Jessy who gave me two wonderful kids Wyatt and Lila. Love you guys!

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)

According to the FBI, a home break-in occurs every 13 seconds, most often in daylight hours, and 30% of the time the burglar came in through an unlocked or open window or door. ?Nonprofessional? thieves look for empty homes with the easiest access with cover that hides them from the eyes of passing traffic. They want expensive items that are easy to carry and sell, like jewelry, guns, computers and gadgets and small electronics like flat-screen TVs.

Let?s review how to keep your home and valuables safe while you?re away for the day or an extended spell.

DAILY SECURITY

A Monitored Alarm System
Roughly 17% of U.S. homes have a security system, and those without one are up to 300% more likely for a break-in. Burglars will skip a home they believe to have a sophisticated security system, so a remotely monitored system with a reputable security company is a wise investment in your safety.

The ubiquity of smartphones makes it easy to set up your own monitoring system. Affordable products like the like iZone Wi-Fi Video Monitor or the Canary Home Security Device let you keep an eye on your home no matter where you are, and can even monitor changes in temperature, light and noise levels.

Once you have a monitored security system, get in the habit of using it, even when leaving the house for a quick trip to the store. There?s nothing more frustrating than an easy break-in because the alarm wasn?t set.

Keep Cars in the Garage
Instead of using it for extra storage space, use it to keep your cars out of sight while you?re home. The coming and going of cars is easy for a thief to monitor, but they can?t monitor what they can?t see. Be sure your overhead garage door has a locking mechanism at the bottom of the door, because doors that lock through a remote control may also be opened by a passing universal remote.

Strengthen Doors & Windows
Doors ? Make it hard for burglars to come in through their preferred access with solid core or metal exterior doors with a deadbolt lock and a heavy-duty strike plate with 3? screws into the frame. For sliding glass doors, insert a wooden dowel or metal rod into the door track to prevent it from being slid open.

Windows ? They are left unlocked far more than doors, so make a habit of locking all closed windows. They usually have only latches, so consider investing in a secondary locking device on the more vulnerable windows on the ground floor of your home.

Light Up Your House
Police officers confirm that the simplest act of deterring thieves is to turn on your porch light at night. Beefing up your exterior lighting makes it difficult for thieves to lurk in the nighttime shadows. Along with motion-activated lights at all points of entry into your home, turn on yard and porch lights when the sun sets, and consider putting them on timer so they come on even when you?re gone.

AWAY ON VACATION SECURITY

Keep Them Guessing
Make it hard to tell if your house is vacant. It?s crucial to put timers (shown above) on several lamps and lights throughout the house so lights turn off and on in a random pattern, replicating someone in the house. Putting timers on a radio or television is a good way to generate sounds.

Stop regular delivery of mail, newspaper or dry cleaning while you?re away so nothing visible piles up.

In the summer, lawns and shrubs need to be maintained. And in the winter, there?s no better sign that no one?s home than a snow-covered drive or sidewalk. Make arrangements to have lawns mowed or walks shoveled while you?re away.

Last-Minute Check
Before walking out the door to start your vacation, check that all windows and doors in the home are locked, paying special attention to basement, garage and screened porch doors. Check the batteries on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and that all parts of your security system have fresh battery power. To avoid complications from power surges or outages, unplug all non-essential items like clocks, microwave ovens, stereos and computers.

Let trusted neighbors or friends know you are leaving and how to get a hold of you should something go awry. And let your alarm company know that you will be away.

Don?t Share Your Vacation
Refrain from sharing vacation photos on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram while you?re away. You may trust your social media friends, but can you vouch for their circles of friends? aThe criminal minds sees your vacation snaps as a clear sign you?re not home, so save up those memories to share once you?re back home.

For help with keeping your home safe and secure in the St. Louis area, call the Mosby Building Arts office at 314.909.1800, or contact them here.