Root intrusion is a problem everywhere. In 1977, more than 30 years ago, the United States Environmental Protection Agency stated that “Root intrusion is the single most destructive element facing sewer authorities today.”

To fully understand the problem of root intrusion into sewers you need to know why and how roots enter sewer pipes to begin with. Roots grow one cell at a time by splitting and growing. This is called hydrotropism. Hairs form on the roots as they grow and absorb moisture and nutrients. As these roots grow the stem is then coated by a root cap that works to protect the root.

The best environment for roots to grow in is cultivated soil where nutrients and moisture are abundant and easily accessible – which is pretty much the definition of a sewer pipe. Sewer pipes are laid in the ground and then back filled with stone and soil. The effluent in the pipe is warmer than soil outside the pipe. This creates condensation on the outside of the pipe near cracks and any 

Clogged drains can ruin your summer. There is no reason to wait to have them unclogged. For a limited time, a professional and licensed technician from Schuelke Plumbing will come out to your home and unclog any drain for the low price of just $68. That is an unheard of price, especially in the Los Angeles area. Usually you get what you pay for, but with Schuelke Plumbing, you can expect much more. Their work and customer service is second to none. Look at some of the benefits of choosing Schuelke Plumbing to Hydro-Jet your drains clean for example:

• Free follow up inspections as part of the Schuelke Plumbing guarantee
• Guaranteed for up to 5 years
• Lateral camera inspections for only $75
• We own and operate our own equipment, and train our own staff (unlike the competition that send you a sub-contractor)
• We approach sewage build-up at the source (unlike the competition from the roof and indirectly)

You may be unaware of the different types of drain cleaning that Schuelke Plumbing offers. It’s important to keep in mind that whatever your blockage issue is, we can help get your drains up and running again in no time. With the latest in diagnostic technology, and experience of removing even the most stubborn blockages, you can be sure that your drains are in safe hands.  From the know-how, gentle approach and biological drain cleaning of the smallest sink blockages to the high powered hydro-jetting required to free up blocked drain and sewer lines without damaging chemicals – Schuelke Plumbing can handle it.

Another one of the further benefits of the technology we employ is that we can actually clean a drain, where rooter technology just clears a path.  Cleaning those clogged drains rather than just clearing a backup can help to prevent future backups that can cause major damage and insurance repairs.

If you have a serious problem with your drain or sewer lines – from root damage to collapses – call Schuelke Plumbing today.

Trenchless sewer repair just makes sense. When you need to replace your sewer the last thing you want to do is to also have to replace your entire front yard, landscaping, and driveway. This is the case with traditional sewer repairs and replacement, where the plumbers must did up everything in order to do the work.

At Schuelke Plumbing we use a method called trenchless sewer repair. This ensures that your yard and driveway will stay intact during the process of installing the new sewer lines and sewer system. Our experienced plumbers and technicians have been doing this type of work for many years, with hundreds of satisfied clients as a result.

This is how it all works. We dig an insertion and retrieval pit first. Then the trenchless bursting head is inserted into the old sewer pipe. A heavy cable is then used to push through the pipe from the retrieval pit. A special hydraulic ram is then attached to the cable, pulling the

Leaking water is never a good sign, and it must be repaired immediately. You may need to repair or replace your shower pan if there is water leaking into a room below, you have noticed discolored linoleum, or have moldy or missing grout in your shower area. Schuelke Plumbing can make these repairs to your shower quickly and easily.

The grout in shower pans is not waterproof, unless an epoxy grout has been used. Water leaks through the grout to the shower pan liner below, and can then flow down the liner to the shower drain. Over a period of time, the water seeping through the grout can cause deterioration, allowing it to crack and crumble. The climate in the Los Angeles area may also intensify the situation. The special waterproof membrane used in second floor bathrooms may get a hole in it, could have been installed incorrectly, or has separated from the pipe over time.

Many times our plumbers can simply repair the leaking shower pan without having to remove it. We can also use permanent caulking to prevent a leaky shower in the future.

Even though you may need to call the plumbers to repair your clogged sink, there are some techniques that you may be able to fix yourself without causing any additional problems. Kitchen sinks tend to get clogged with food that is put down the drain on the side that has no garbage disposal. Bathroom sinks get clogged with hair most often. You must never use any of the drain cleaners that are sold in stores because they are corrosive to your pipes and may be harmful to your skin and overall health.

Using a plunger may be your first attempt at unclogging the drain. Make sure to remove the stopper or strainer first, and then place the plunger over the open hole. You can create more of a vacuum by covering the rim of the plunger with some water. Pump the handle up and down no more than ten times. When you release the plunger the blockage may release. If not, it is time to call the plumbers at Schuelke Plumbing to unclog your clogged drain.

A water leak or high humidity can lead to mold, mildew, or other biological growth. Depending on the severity, conditions can lead to rot, structural damage, premature paint failure, and a variety of health problems. Water can seep into your house from the outside through a leak in your roof, foundation, or small gaps around windows or doors. Water can also come from inside your house from a leaking water pipe, toilet, shower or bathtub. High indoor humidity caused by normal activities of everyday living such as showering, cooking, and drying clothes, can also be a source of mold, mildew or musty odors. Indoor humidity levels between 30% and 50% are ideal. You will want to contact us at Schuelke Plumbing if you have any questions about this.

Your Checklist:
Where does the problem occur? Attic? Basement? Below a bathroom? Ceiling? Where the problem occurs can lead to what is causing the problem. If the problem is localized (a spot on the ceiling, wall or corner) it is possibly caused by a water leak. If the problem is in a large area like a whole wall, room or basement then it might be caused by high humidity.

Stop water leaks immediately to minimize

Root intrusion causes at least half of the sewer blockages, and fast growing species of trees are often to blame. The intrusion of roots into waste pipes can be a challenge. With older sewer systems, you are much more likely to suffer damage from root intrusion. The growth of root mass inside sewer lines will block the discharge of wastewater, resulting in backup into your home or building. Schuelke Plumbing is available to serve you when this happens at your property.

The damage caused by the backup can be costly to repair and troublesome to deal with. Root growth can also cause deterioration of the pipes and pipe joints, as well as underground pipe structures and pipe connections to the main sewer line. It is best to have an effective root control program in place.

Root growth is determined first by gravity and secondly by water. The root hairs, which are fine, hair-like projections found on the surface of the roots, will find their way into drain lines and sewer pipes. They enter through small cracks or openings in the pipe or pipe joint. Once inside they will continue to grow, finally forming a root mass.

Trees and shrubs seek out water to grow, and pipes provide the perfect environment. Roots are even drawn to unbroken pipes because of condensation and will

When your water pressure drops and the tap water appears discolored and rusty, it is probably time to think about copper repiping. Galvanized pipes begin to deteriorate after time and most people prefer to replace these galvanized pipes with copper pipes, a process referred to as copper repiping.

Rust builds up inside of the pipes, restricting the flow of water and causing the added build-up of gunk and slime throughout your plumbing system. Clogged pipes reduce the volume of water that can get through to the fixtures. Copper pipes last for decades and give you the water flow needed in your home or other building.

Your water pressure may have dropped unexpectedly. Washing machines take longer to fill up and your shower may be down to almost a trickle. This means that it is time to call Schuelke Plumbing to discuss repiping your home’s pipes. We will explain the process to you in terms that relate to your specific home or commercial property. Call the plumbers at Schuelke today and get your pipes repiped with copper.

Your sewer lines may need to be replaced at some point in time. If they are old – twenty years or more – the wear and tear may be just too much. Or, roots may have worked their way through the joints of the sewer pipes where they are no longer airtight. If you have had a backup, or numerous backups, then you must have your sewer lines replaced. Schuelke Plumbing can do a camera inspection to determine what the best solution is for your particular situation.

To minimize digging in your yard and driveway, the plumbers at Schuelke may recommend a pipe bursting method known as trenchless sewer replacement and pipe lining. This can be done quickly and easily, with almost no disruption to your routine.

Two small holes are dug at each end of the section that needs to be replaced A steel cable, connected to a high pressure hydraulic pump pulls the cutting head of the high density polyethylene pipe, and your sewer lines are replaced. The existing pipe is destroyed from