If you’re noticing that your sinks or bathtubs are draining slowly, or if you hear a strange gurgling noise coming from your toilet, it could mean that your sewer lines have been invaded by tree roots. A small-scale root invasion will just annoy you, but if left untreated, this problem could cost you thousands.
Tree Roots are Attracted to Your Sewer Lines
Believe it or not, despite all the unsightly things that travel through your sewer lines, tree roots are naturally drawn to them. Your pipes are filled with water, oxygen, and all kinds of nutrients, so they’re prime real estate for a tree looking to plant its roots.
Typically, a crack or loose joint in a pipe will allow vapor to escape towards cool soil. The tree roots grow towards this in search of moisture and nutrients, forcing their way into the cracks of the pipe and making their home there. They’ll continue to grow, in some cases, until they’ve filled the entire pipe.
The roots create a type of net that will catch anything you send down the line to create annoying clog that will slow your drainage system way down. If the roots are allowed to continue growing, they can apply enough pressure to collapse your sewer pipes, resulting in extremely costly damage.
Thankfully, there are ways to provide root treatment for pipes if they get totally out of hand. You can get them under control with the help of a professional.
You Can Prevent the Problem Before it Starts
While we recommend giving us a call if your root problem has gotten out of hand, your best course of action going forward is preventing the problem from ever occurring.
If you’re thinking of planting anything in the future, you should find out where your utility lines are first. You can call a Before You Dig service to find out where you should or shouldn’t plant new trees so you won’t have to worry about their roots invading your sewer lines. Try to choose slow-growing plants or trees when taking on a landscaping project, making sure to plant larger trees at least 10 feet away from any utility line or far enough away that their roots won’t be able to reach your water lines.
It might mean that you won’t be able to plant that beautiful shade tree right where you want it, but it does mean that you’re less likely to have to spend on pipe replacements.
If your system is plagued with root blockage, we have a long-term solution to help. Call us about our whole system root treatment for pipes.