Leakage In The Sewer Line? Know How Roots pose a bigger Threat

We all know tree and sub-roots need only a tiny opening to penetrate the entire plumbing work and make their way into the pipe. Once started, they can turn a hairline fracture into significant cracks. Roots settle into the pipes, eat, drink and overstay their growth. A thick tangle of roots can fill a pipeline resulting in a blockage, backups for the homeowners.

Why roots penetrate sewer lines?

Tree roots crave for water, Oxygen and nutrients. A leaking sewer pipe provides roots with two vital elements that attract the hungry plants. A pipe can release moisture, even if it doesn't have a crack. Old clay pipes those are buried, are notorious to attract roots. Moreover, water can seep through the walls, moisten the soil and pull the thirsty plants. Especially, in drought years, plants send out the roots in search of the moisture.

What's the problem with the old pipes?

No sewer pipe is immune to the roots. Clay pipes are susceptible to leaks by roots if there are poorly sealed joints in the sewer line. Did you know roots can intrude on concrete and PVC pipes, even if they aren't as vulnerable as clay? A root-filled pipe often faces breakage that ends up requiring costly excavation for repair and replacement.

So, how to ensure safety from such leaking problems?

The solution starts with locating the sewer lines and other utility lines. This is necessary to know where the pipes are before you apply for any deterrent.

• Don't plant close to sewer line: If you're adding new plants, keep the sewer location in mind and avoid planting near the sewer line. You should select the species with a small root ball. Remember to keep trees at least 10 feet distance from the sewer line.

• A physical or chemical barrier: Did you know some chemicals can stop or slow the growth of the roots? Even, you can buy wood or metal barriers and deploy it by professionals. The metal of wood barrier should be buried 6-12 inches deeper than the pipe and run vertically next to sewer lines.

• Be aware of some warning signs: Do the drains get clogged frequently? It is a sign of a severe problem that eventually slows the draining, causes overflowing and gurgling noise from the toilet.

• Spot repair: For moderate to low intrusion, many homeowners turn to trenchless pipe lining that clear out the root from the sewer line and coat the inner pipe walls depending on the extent of the intrusion.

• Get your sewer line inspected: When you know that your sewer line is near a tree, make sure there is no invasion to the sewer line by skilled plumbers in Shellharbour. They use leak-seeking technology to get a best report out of the inspection. And, the steps you will follow are removing the roots and do the repair as needed and prevent future tree root issues.

So, if you're planning on renovating your lawn or planting new trees, know the right place to plant and the right type of tree for planting. If you believe that your home sewer line has already got into trouble, don't wait for the problem to get worst.