Plumbers install and repair pipes, fixtures and appliances that facilitate water, gas, waste removal, and climate control in residential and commercial buildings. They work from blueprints and building plans to lay out the plumbing infrastructure and connect the fixtures, following strict building codes.

Some plumbers work as employees of companies, while others are independent contractors. Both interact directly with customers, fixing leaky pipes and installing kitchen and bathroom fixtures. Contact Plumbers Bradenton for professional help.

If you’ve ever heard a toilet or sink make a gurgling sound after it drains, or noticed foul sewer odors wafting throughout your home, these may be signs of a blocked vent. A plumbing vent is essential for the proper functioning of a house’s drainage system, and it’s a vital part of the ventilation system that keeps oxygen in your pipes while allowing harmful gases to escape. If you suspect your vent is clogged, contact a plumber immediately.

A clogged vent pipe could be hazardous to your health and can even lead to serious drainage problems, like sewage back-ups or complete pipe failure. Having a professional plumber inspect your plumbing vents and cleaning them regularly is the best way to ensure that they’re working properly.

What is a plumbing vent, and why do we need them?

The plumbing vent, also known as a vent stack, is a vertical pipe that extends from the roof of your home. It’s essential to your plumbing system because it allows air to follow wastewater down your pipes, which prevents a vacuum from forming and helps keep your traps full of water. The vent also lets sewer gasses escape, which can otherwise be very toxic to humans.

Each of your drains has a P-trap, which is a bend in the pipe that holds a pool of water and prevents sewer gasses from entering your living spaces. The water in the P-trap creates a seal that prevents gases from escaping, but if your plumbing isn’t properly vented, the air pressure in the pipes will rise and cause the water to suck out of the P-trap. Without the presence of a vent, this will allow sewer gases to enter your living spaces and is very dangerous to your health.

Your home’s plumbing vents are located in the roof and connect to your plumbing fixtures, such as kitchen sinks, bathtubs, showers, toilets, and your wastewater drainage pipes that carry the waste to your septic tank or city sewer line. When the vents become clogged, it causes air pressure in the plumbing system to rise and the gasses to be trapped in your drain lines, which can cause your drains to fail or leak raw sewage.

Tree roots

Tree roots are everywhere, extending outward to absorb moisture and nutrients from the soil. In the wild, they help trees thrive by stabilizing soil on slopes and reducing erosion. In urban and suburban areas, however, the roots of some species of trees have become a problem for foundations, sidewalks and pipes. When this happens, it is best to take preventive measures by keeping up with routine maintenance to ensure that your home’s structure and plumbing system remain safe.

When a tree is planted too close to a building, the roots can begin to crack the foundation. Over time, this can lead to costly structural damage, including the need for partial or full foundation replacement. In addition, the roots can also interfere with underground water pipes, leading to blockages and slow drainage.

To avoid these problems, keep your home’s distance from nearby trees at least as wide as the root spread of the tallest tree in the area. This will help the roots to stay away from your house and avoid any pressure on your foundation.

The roots of most woody plants are located in the top 18 inches of soil. These roots are often thin and fine, extending outward from the surface of the ground. Some roots are directly connected to the leaves of the plant, absorbing nutrients and moisture through conductive tissue that extends to the surface of the leaf. This is particularly true for oaks and other ring porous species.

Despite their delicate appearance, roots are hardy and adaptable. They can grow around or even through rocks and other obstructions. They also heave and break concrete sidewalks, and they can crush or clog buried pipes. Roots of the strangler fig have even damaged the Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia.

Because they are constantly extending into the surrounding environment, it is important to protect the roots of any living trees you have on your property. Taking precautions such as avoiding mowing the lawn near the roots, applying mulch, and using herbicides to prevent weed growth can help the roots stay away from your foundation and other structures. It is also helpful to regularly inspect your property for signs of tree root intrusion, and take action if necessary.

Grease disposal

While cooking oils and grease add flavor to food, they must be properly disposed of after use. Fats, oils and grease (FOG) can clog sewer lines, leading to wastewater backups in kitchens, bathrooms and basements. The clogged pipes can also interfere with sewage treatment plant operations, causing untreated sewage to flow into homes and businesses.

FOG buildup also blocks drains and garbage disposals, requiring professional plumbing services for repair and cleaning. Fortunately, there are simple ways to prevent FOG from entering your pipes and causing serious problems. Never pour grease down sink or tub drains, toilets or garbage disposals. Even pouring small amounts of grease into the toilet can cause sewer backups and clogs. Instead, let the grease cool and then put it in a sealed container with a lid, such as an empty coffee can or glass jar. Place the container in the trash and avoid placing it in the recycling bin, as it can contaminate other materials.

It’s also a good idea to clean your sink drains with hot water and baking soda at least once per month, or use an enzyme-based drain cleaner such as Roto-Rooter’s Pipe Shield. This product can help break down and dissolve grease and other organic blockages in metal or PVC pipes, helping to keep them clean and flowing freely.

Restaurants and other commercial kitchens with a high volume of FOG discharge should have an inground or underground grease interceptor to catch and separate the FOG from the wastewater. The FOG is then removed by a truck for processing and recycling, rather than sent to the sanitary sewer system or septic system.

Every business that generates large volumes of FOG should have a grease trap or interceptor to prevent it from entering the sewer system and causing costly repairs. Commercial food service establishments, including restaurants, cafeterias, clubs, butcher shops, fish markets and supermarket food processing areas should install a grease interceptor or trap in accordance with local codes. The interceptors, which are designed to capture FOG before it enters the sanitary sewer system, are emptied regularly by professional grease removal services.