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How To Keep Tree Roots From Wrecking Your Sewer Line
While trees add beauty to your landscape, their roots can create a $4,000 headache if they invade and break your primary sewage system line.
Roots grow towards drain pipes since they hold water, nutrients and oxygen-- things roots crave.
And if the root discovers a crack or leak in the pipeline, they'll creep in the pipeline wall and become the pipeline, blocking off the flow of waste into the sewer.
Ultimately, the root growth will include too much pressure to the pipe, causing it to break and collapse, leaving you with thousands of dollars in required repairs.
Want to avoid this situation? Then read on; we'll reveal you how.
Step 1: Determine if you have trees near a sewer line
First, figure out where your sewage system line is located.
Houses are needed to have drain clean out caps in 2 places.
These are generally either white PVC or Black ABS pipes sticking out of the ground or in some cases in a recessed box in the lawn. One need to be within a few feet of your foundation wall and the other should be within 13 feet of the curb. For the most part the pipe will take a trip underground this general line of sight.
If you do not have clear out caps they might have been buried by landscape or never ever installed to start with. Before you start digging around remember to call 811 (call prior to you dig) to ensure you do not unknowingly damage any other unmarked utilities.
The most convenient way to find where your drain connects to the city is to call your regional Water and Sewer department. Tell them you would like to know where your drain lines are located and they will send out a locator to mark the approximate location of your underground pipes where they link to the city drain system.
When you know your sewer line's place, see if any trees are near the marks.
If trees aren't close by go to step 4.
If trees are close, go to step 2.
Action 2: Get your sewer line inspected
Now that you understand a tree is near the sewer line, you need to see if roots have invaded.
The very best method to do this: Get a professional plumbing professional to examine the sewage system line using a cam probe.
While you might wait to get the inspection until you discover the indications of a sewage system line break, getting the assessment now will nip problems in the bud and potentially save you countless dollars.
Action 3: Remove roots and repair as needed
If the plumber has actually found a root issue, it's time to try to find options.
There are 3 parts to this:
- Cutting up the roots in the pipe using a hydro cutter or a powered sewer auger.
- Killing off the root structure by utilizing chemicals to briefly stop their growth. One choice is Root-X, a herbicide that can:.
- Permeate the roots, killing them on contact.
- Adhere to the pipe walls, avoiding re-growth for approximately 3 years.
- Lastly, fixing the sewage system pipe as required. Plumbers might utilizes a 'No Dig' innovation that makes fixing drain pipelines easy and non-invasive, so you do not need to damage your landscape.
Worst case scenario: The pipeline can't be cleared due to the fact that it's too damaged and requires replacing.
Step 4: Prevent future tree root issues
Want to include more trees to your home landscape? Keep the trees a minimum of 10 feet away from the drain line.
That method it takes longer for the roots to reach the sewage system line.
You must likewise choose a little, slow-growing 'sewage system safe' tree. A couple of sewer safe trees consist of:
- Amur Maple
- Paperbark Maple
- Serviceberry
- Fringetree
- Flowering Dogwood
- Cypress
According to Clemson University, you shouldn't plant any of these fast growing trees near the drain line:
- Silver and Norway Maple
- Sweetgum
- River Birch
- Cottonwood
- Aspen
- Sycamore
- Some types of Magnolia
Call for an electronic camera inspection
If you've discovered that there are trees around your sewer line, or you're seeing the indications of a drain line break, contact Legacy Plumbing and Rooter for a drain line video examination. We can discover the issue, fix it, and-- hopefully-- conserve you thousands in sewer line damage.
If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area and the surrounding cities like San Mateo, San Carlos, Mountain View, Campbell, San Jose, Milpitas, Fremont, Hayward, San Leandro, Burlingame, Daly City and South San Francisco and need help with an installation, I suggest calling Legacy Plumbing and Rooter (408) 649-3149. We are here to answer your questions as well.
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