Do you worry that tree roots from your garden might have made their way into your pipelines? You can avoid costly plumbing damage with the help of our guide.
When you are dealing with a clogged drain pipe, tree roots might not be the first thing that come to mind.
If you don’t take care of tree roots, they can grow into your sewer pipe and cause major plumbing issues. Clogged drain pipes can put too much stress on your plumbing system and eventually cause serious problems like burst pipes.
You can remedy this by learning more about the causes of root growth in your pipes and how to prevent it. You won’t have to worry about unpleasant plumbing issues very often if your plumbing is secure.
Here, you can find everything you need to know about root invasion in your pipes and sewer line.
Root systems have been known to penetrate sewer lines, resulting in hairline cracks and blockages. What causes tree roots to grow in sewer lines? This typically occurs in tropical regions, where pipelines are an excellent water source and the heat causes the roots to grow deeper in search of water. The aggressive root growth damages the sewer pipes by entering them.
In particularly dry regions, the roots can enter the sewer pipe from the sides, top, or bottom. However, this does not mean that pipes have not grown roots in temperate or heavily precipitated areas because roots thrive in nutrient-rich environments.
Tree root growth in your sewer pipes can typically be detected by looking for a few distinct warning signs. Be on the lookout and act quickly to avoid serious plumbing issues and high water bills.
1. Drain
The roots of trees block sewers, resulting in the accumulation of odorous waste. If you notice a foul smell coming from your drains, you might want to check your plumbing.
2. Reduced water pressure
Blocked pipes can result in a decrease in water pressure, which can have long-term consequences. This may indicate that the tree’s roots have destroyed your plumbing.
3. Strange noises in your pipes
When you turn on the taps, you may hear strange banging or whistling sounds coming from your pipes due to damage or air entering the pipes. Although this does not necessarily indicate growth of roots in your pipes, it is a clear indication of a damaged pipe. If this is the case, you might want to have your plumbing checked.
4. Improper flushing of the toilet
When you pull on the flush lever, the water may not flow as freely as it normally would, indicating a pipeline obstruction. If baking soda and vinegar don’t clear the block, you might want to have the pipes checked for tree root growth.
How to keep tree roots out of pipes You can choose one of the following methods to keep the roots out of your pipes and prevent further damage:
1. Strategic gardening: If your garden is empty and you want to plant bigger trees in it, look into the sewer system near your home.
Plant trees away from the main underground pipes and pay attention to how far apart the potential tree’s root system is from the drain pipe. Planting trees with a low rate of growth would be the best method for gardening. Banksia and acacia trees are species that grow slowly and have shorter roots.
2. Slip line installation or replacement of a pipe: You might already have trees in your backyard, or you might have moved into an older house with a lot of trees. In either case, you won’t always have a clear choice, which would necessitate more complicated plumbing solutions.
To protect you from the invasive roots, you can have your plumber install a slip line that feeds into the plumbing. Alternatively, you could replace the pipes to stop tree roots from entering if they are old enough.
3. Put up barriers around the roots: To keep them away from your pipes. There are a variety of these, each with a different effectiveness, including solid and permeable barriers.
Solid barriers are extremely effective at keeping tree roots out because they are made of a material that resists corrosion, like plastic or fiberglass. Water cannot, however, pass through the root barrier, which may exacerbate issues with waterlogging.
A mesh is used to construct permeable barriers, which permit water and smaller roots to pass through them. The primary drawback of permeable barriers is the possibility of selecting the incorrect size, which could result in the root system entering your pipes.
How to get rid of tree roots in your pipes If there are already tree roots in your pipes, your plumber should use root growth inhibitors to get smaller roots out of the sewage system. Because smaller roots are typically a small component of tree root systems, damage to them will not significantly hinder the growth of the tree. For food, trees rely more on their larger roots.
A foaming chemical will be used by your plumber to dry out the roots and stop new roots from growing in your pipes. It’s a straightforward and efficient solution to a problem that could get worse over time. In addition, pipe relining is frequently used to repair them to avoid digging up too much space.
Make sure that no tree roots get into your sewer lines!
By following these hints, you should avoid a plethora of cascading issues by keeping the issue at its source out of your pipes. After all, tree roots in your pipes from the sewer line are the first sign of deterioration in your plumbing.
Despite advancements in plumbing, the issue remains the same, and after centuries of testing, solutions are now more readily available. Keep in mind that professional plumbing services should always be contacted if your plumbing experiences a lot of issues.
When dealing with root growth, vigilance and regular maintenance are essential. The problem will become significantly more difficult to manage in a short period of time. Contact our Melbourne plumbers at J.O. Plumbing for any assistance.
