Stiebel Eltron
Stiebel Eltron Accelera 300 E Heat Pump Water Heater
The Stiebel Eltron Accelera 300 E Heat Pump Water Heater represents the pinnacle of water heating technology, engineered in Germany and leading the European ...
$2799
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What Causes Home Flooding During Droughts?
Most sewer lines back up because tree roots amass inside the pipeline, preventing drainage. Tree roots are most active during seasonal droughts as a matter of survival. When trees get thirsty, they send out tiny feeder roots in search of moisture and nutrients.
Underground root growth generally extends outward from the tree to a distance of two or three times the tree's height. However, root growth can extend as far as seven times the tree's height during a prolonged drought. Large, mature trees have thousands of feet of root system searching in all directions for moisture. Unfortunately for homeowners, the roots follow underground water vapor trails along the path of least resistance, usually leading them into the sewer pipes beneath our front yards.
Which Types of Pipes are Most Susceptible to Root Damage?
Older homes with clay sewer pipes are more likely to experience this kind of damage. The newer PVC pipe with its tightly fitted joints is also susceptible to root intrusion, but to a much lesser extent than older pipes made from cast iron, concrete, Orangeburg (fiber conduit), or clay.
Plumbing or drain cleaning service can effectively clear pipes of root masses and other clogs. These firms use powerful electromechanical machines that feature cutting blades on the end of a stiff rotating cable to clear any blockages found. This equipment will cut away roots or retrieve root masses when the cable is withdrawn from the pipe. Amazingly, the largest root mass ever recovered from a line by Roto-Rooter was 201 feet long and weighed 1,500 pounds! The removal took ten hours to complete at Soquel, California, in 1997.
Tips to Avoid Household Flooding during Droughts
- Pay attention to slow household drains. If two or more drains are slow, the problem is probably in the main sewer.
- If you have slow drains, maintain a watchful eye when the washing machine is operating to minimize the risk of localized flooding caused by backups.
- Treat slow drains with a plunger and over-the-counter or DIY clog-clearing products. If drainage doesn't show significant improvement, you probably have a main sewer clog.
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Water Saving
Shop home improvement products that help save and conserve water.
- Hire a sewer & drain cleaning company to clean your sewer line mechanically.
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