Do you feel like the trees in your yard are trying to take over? Tree roots could be to blame if your sewer line is constantly clogged. Homeowners often think that when their sewer lines start acting up, they need a complete replacement, but many times, this isn’t necessary. By understanding what can cause blockages and periodically inspecting your sewers, you can avoid costly repair bills and keep your home running smoothly for years. In this post, we’ll discuss how tree roots can disrupt pipes and walk through some tips on spotting potential problems so that you can have peace of mind knowing that harmful root intrusions won’t be an issue for you in the future.
Are Tree Roots Invading Your Pipes?
Homeowners want their landscaping to be beautiful. Trees often play a huge part in this, providing much-needed shade and aesthetic appeal to any yard. Nevertheless, numerous homeowners may require education on the fact that tree roots have the potential to inflict significant harm to their line if not monitored or if they grow close to their sewage system pipes. Detect these intrusive roots before it’s too late. We have compiled all you need to know about detecting tree root intrusion in your sewer line so that you can keep them away from causing costly repairs!
How Can You Identify Tree Roots in Your Sewer Line?
The first step in identifying tree roots in your line is to look for signs of root infiltration. A tree root infiltrating your sewer line could cause wet spots or pools of water to form on your lawn. Furthermore, if you observe a decline in your water pressure or sluggishness in your drains, these indications may also suggest a blockage caused by the roots of trees.
If you have reason to believe that tree roots could be causing a problem with your sewer lines, the following action is to examine the pipes visually. Call your local plumbing expert and request a sewer line camera inspection to check the inside of the pipes and look for any signs of blockages or damage from tree roots. If you don’t have access to a camera, it may be necessary to dig up sections of the pipe to check for any visible signs of damage from tree roots. Performing a camera inspection enables the identification of any areas of damage or backup caused by tree roots, determining the necessary actions for repair. This inspection helps prevent further damage and saves you money on costly repairs in the future.
A Picture Will Paint a Thousand Words, Order a Camera Inspection
Once you have invested in sewer line camera inspection and learned that the culprit to your slow-moving drains are tree roots, you can create a plan with your BIG B’s Plumbing expert to remove them. When tree roots have entered your plumbing system, you cannot permanently remove them without addressing the real problem, and that’s your existing landscape and sealing up the breached line.
Tree roots can find the slightest crack in a sewer or pipeline and find their way in. For those that enter through a sewer line, the problem is magnified because they will live off the nutrients in the raw sewage and grow rapidly, and if not addressed early, it could cause more damage than you bargained for.
Chemicals Will Kill Tree Roots, but it Will Not Repair the Broken Line
Some homeowners have tried do-it-yourself methods such as rock salt, foaming root killers, or copper sulfate. All are known to kill the roots, although it doesn’t take care of the damaged or broken sewer line. So now you’re faced with a leaking damaged line. You may need to repair your line to ensure the inevitable sewer line repair.
Three Ways We Repair a Sewer Line
Another method for clearing tree roots is a truck-mounted hydro jetter. However, like root killers, it is a temporary fix until your sewer line is repaired. There are three choices to repair your sewer main.
- Cured-in-place sewer line replacement
- Pipe Bursting and cured-in-place sewer line replacement are both considered trenchless sewer line technology.
- Lastly, conventional excavation which entails digging a trench to access the existing sewer line and subsequently replacing it with a new pipe.
Although there are other methods, these are the best selected by your local plumbing company. They add the best value for the customer and provide a new sewer main that could last for 50-100 years.
Pipe Bursting Will Pull a New, Replacement Pipe Into Place
Trenchless technology includes pipe bursting used in underground sewer line repair. Used to replace existing underground pipes, typically sewer or water lines, without requiring extensive excavation. A specialist will insert a specialized bursting head or device into the old, damaged pipe in a pipe bursting operation. This bursting head has a conical shape with cutting blades and is typically larger in diameter than the existing pipe. They pull the bursting head through the old pipe, which simultaneously breaks apart the old pipe while pulling a new, replacement pipe into place.
This process minimizes the disruption to the surrounding area and allows for the installation of more durable and efficient pipes, improving the overall reliability and longevity of the underground infrastructure. Pipe bursting is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional excavation methods, making it a popular choice for modern utility and plumbing projects.
The Preferred Choice for Residential Sewer Line Repairs
Cured-in-place sewer line replacement, or CIPP, is an advanced and minimally invasive technique used in residential plumbing. The CIPP will repair and rejuvenate deteriorating or damaged sewer lines without requiring extensive digging or excavation on the property. This process involves inserting a resin-soaked flexible liner into the existing sewer pipe through an access point. Typically, a cleanout or an existing opening. The liner is then inflated and cured using heat or UV light, creating a new, seamless inner pipe.
CIPP effectively eliminates cracks, root intrusion, and other common sewer line issues, restoring the pipe’s structural integrity and flow capacity. This method is highly cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and significantly reduces disruption to the homeowner’s landscape, making it a preferred choice for residential sewer line repairs and replacements. It allows homeowners to address sewer line problems efficiently and with minimal disturbance to their daily lives.
Conventional Replacement is the Last Choice
Conventional excavation for residential sewer line replacement is the traditional and well-established method of replacing damaged or outdated sewer pipes on residential properties. In this approach, your plumbing specialist will dig along the entire length of the existing sewer line, exposing the old pipe. Once they access the damaged pipe, they remove it and install a new one. This process typically involves digging a substantial trench on the homeowner’s property, disrupting the landscaping, driveways, and other structures.
While it allows for a direct and complete sewer line replacement, conventional excavation is more time-consuming and labor-intensive. Additionally, it is much more costly compared to trenchless methods like Cured-in-place sewer line replacement (CIPP) or pipe bursting. However, it may require a complete overhaul in cases with extensive damage. Traditional excavation remains a viable and effective solution for residential sewer line replacement.
When investigating your sewer line system, you need to know and consider some signs. Check out the warning signs below:
Slow Moving Drains
If your drains are moving slowly, it may indicate that tree roots are encroaching upon your sewer line. Tree roots can grow through the cracks in your pipes, blocking the flow of water and causing clogs. If you notice a slow-draining pipe, it is crucial to have it checked out as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
Gurgling Sounds
Suppose you notice gurgling noises emanating from your drains, especially your toilet. It may indicate that tree roots encroach on your pipes and obstruct water flow. It can cause air pockets in your lines, creating gurgling noises when water passes through them.
Foul Odors
Sewer systems are designed to confine odors within the plumbing vents and pipes. A sewer odor emanating from drains inside or outside your home could indicate a potential obstruction in your sewer line. Remember, a foul smell coming from your kitchen sink might not necessarily point to a sewer line blockage. However, it could be due to a buildup of food particles in the drain.
Slow Moving Drains
If you encounter regular clogs in your sinks or toilets, it may indicate that tree roots are penetrating your sewer line, obstructing the water flow. It is necessary to have this issue addressed as soon as possible so that further damage does not occur.
Puddles or Lush Patches of Grass
Minute fractures in sewer pipes can serve as an inviting entry point for tree roots, which seek out moisture and nutrients. Over time, these roots can infiltrate the pipes, obstructing them. As a result, wastewater may escape into the surrounding yard, inadvertently nourishing plants and stimulating their growth. Consequently, regions experiencing sewer leaks often exhibit thriving patches of lush grass and other vegetation.
Tree Roots in Your Sewer Line? No Worries, we Have You Covered!
Trees can provide a lot of beauty and serenity to a property but can pose some significant issues. Did you notice that your sewer line frequently backs up or drains slowly? It may be a hint that tree roots are causing damage to the pipes. Sewer line services at BIG B’s Plumbing have the experience and expertise to tackle even the most complicated root-related issues. We’ll ensure your pipes are clear and functioning correctly. Don’t let a few unruly roots wreak havoc on your home – call a professional for assistance as soon as possible. License #986152
