Plumbing Services in University Park | Done in One Trip

We Bring the Supply House to the Bay Area

• Tree Root Intrusion in Sewer Lines

  The Problem: Tree Root Intrusion in Sewer Lines

  The beautiful mature oak, pine, and magnolia trees that line University Park streets and provide shade for the neighborhood are also aggressive seekers of moisture. Their roots naturally grow toward your sewer line—especially if the line has small leaks or cracks that allow moisture to escape into the surrounding soil.

  Once roots find a way into the pipe (through a cracked joint, separated section, or deteriorated clay pipe), they grow rapidly inside the line, catching toilet paper and waste until the entire pipe is blocked. You’ll experience frequent backups—often multiple times per year—that keep returning even after drain cleaning.

  The Blackmon Solution:
  We use sewer camera inspections to locate the exact point of root intrusion and verify the pipe’s structural condition. If the pipe itself is still sound, we can often clear the roots with hydro-jetting (high-pressure water that scours roots from pipe walls) or mechanical root cutting with specialized cutter heads. We then apply root foam (copper sulfate or other root killer) to slow future regrowth. For pipes with separated joints or cracked sections where roots are entering, we can perform spot repairs or install epoxy liners to seal the pipe against future intrusion—often without full excavation.

• Slab Leaks from Soil Movement

  The Problem: Slab Leaks from Soil Movement

  The clay soil in the Bay Area shifts constantly with moisture changes—expanding when wet and contracting when dry. After 50+ years of this cyclical movement, the copper water lines buried under your foundation slab develop stress fractures, pinhole leaks, or complete breaks at elbows and joints.

  A warm spot on your tile floor, a wet carpet, the sound of running water when everything is off, or a water bill that suddenly triples are all classic signs of a slab leak.

  The Blackmon Solution:
  We use Static Isolation Testing to locate the leak with pinpoint accuracy—within inches, not feet. This pressurized test allows us to listen electronically for the exact location without guessing or jackhammering exploratory holes through your flooring. We then perform Tunneling Repairs from the exterior of your home, excavating under the foundation from outside to access and replace the damaged pipe section. This preserves your interior tile, wood floors, and baseboards—critical in University Park’s well-maintained homes.

• Aging Galvanized and Copper Systems

  The Problem: Aging Galvanized and Copper Systems

  Homes in University Park that were built in the 1960s-1970s used either galvanized steel or Type M copper for water supply lines. After 50+ years:

  • Galvanized pipes corrode from the inside, reducing water pressure to a trickle and discoloring your water with rust.
  • Copper pipes develop pinhole leaks throughout the system—not just under the slab, but also in walls and the attic.

  If you’ve had one slab leak, you’ll likely have more. The soil conditions that caused the first leak are still present under the rest of your foundation.

  The Blackmon Solution:
  We specialize in Whole-Home PEX Repiping for Bay Area homes. PEX is flexible and can move with the clay soil without cracking. We install central manifold systems with dedicated PEX lines to each fixture—no joints behind walls. Most University Park homes can be repiped in 1-2 days with minimal disruption. This eliminates the cycle of constant leak repairs and gives you peace of mind for decades.

• Clay Sewer Pipe Deterioration

  The Problem: Clay Sewer Pipe Deterioration

  Many of the original sewer lines in University Park were installed using clay pipe—standard in the 1960s-1970s. Clay pipe was chosen because it was inexpensive and readily available, but it has significant weaknesses:

  • Clay pipes crack under soil pressure or ground settling
  • Joints separate as the ground shifts
  • Roots easily penetrate the porous material
  • The pipe becomes brittle and crumbles with age

  The Blackmon Solution:
  When camera inspection shows that clay sewer pipe has deteriorated beyond repair (cracked, collapsed, or heavily root-damaged), we replace it with modern Schedule 40 PVC that will last 50+ years. We excavate the damaged section, remove the clay pipe, and install properly sloped PVC bedded in gravel to prevent future settlement. For long runs, we use trenchless pipe bursting (where legal) to minimize landscape disruption.

Serving University Park & Surrounding Clear Lake Areas