While much of a Forest City's homeowner focus is on indoor plumbing (and rightly so) for sinks, toilets, and showers, residential outdoor plumbing is also important. Large plumbing blockages outside the home can cause sewage to back up in the house, resulting in a frustrating, expensive fix that can also pose a potential health hazard.
What is Residential Outdoor Plumbing?
Residential outdoor plumbing refers to the system that extends beyond the home, out into the yard and the street. Components include sewer lines, vents, and drains. Outdoor plumbing systems can also include plumbing installation projects like outdoor faucets, pipes for sprinkler systems, and outdoor sinks and showers. Plumbing blockages in any one of these areas can cause serious issues for the home both inside and out.
Outdoor Plumbing Hazards
Here are some of the most common causes of plumbing blockages in an outdoor plumbing system:
Tree Roots: Infiltration of the pipes by tree roots is one of the top causes of residential outdoor plumbing blockages–especially for homes with older pipes. As trees and other plants grow, their roots are in a constant search for water. This can bring them close to underground plumbing pipes, which they’ll quickly latch onto and penetrate so they can grow inside and have access to a steady stream of water.
Foreign Objects: If you flush anything down the toilet that isn’t toilet paper, you could be creating a plumbing blockage.
Grease: The same is true for grease if it’s poured down the kitchen sink drain. Once the grease cools, it hardens and sticks to the inside of the pipes and is a major contributor to stubborn blockages.
Sagging Pipes: When the ground shifts beneath an outdoor plumbing system, it could cause one or more pipes to sag. This results in one section of the system are lower than the rest, which can lead to waste buildup.
Pipe Damage: As pipes age, they begin to corrode and develop leaking joints that will lead to plumbing blockages before they ultimately break or rupture. These damaged areas trap waste as it passes through the pipes, eventually creating a bad clog.
What is Hydro Jetting?
For large plumbing blockages that are especially hard-headed, hydro jetting is a great option. Hydro Jetting works by forcing a stream of very highly pressurized water (usually around 35,000 psi) through the pipes outside a home. As the pressurized water passes through the pipes, it takes with it any clogs, waste, grease, or tree roots that may have intruded. Not only does hydro jetting help eliminate existing plumbing blockages, but it also eradicates issues that are still building up, helping to maintain the health of the pipes and lengthening their lifespan.
Get Expert Outdoor Plumbing Service Today
For almost 50 years, Ohmstead Plumbing has offered professional plumbing services to homes and businesses in Polk County and Forest City. Our well-trained technicians give personalized attention to all of our customers’ needs, big or small. Contact us today for expert service, upfront pricing, and effective plumbing solutions.