Are Your Growing Trees Hurting Your Plumbing?
After a long, cold winter, spring is a welcome time when green returns with grass and budding trees and plants. However, while this colorful canvas in a yard can be pretty to look at, it can cause issues underground with the plumbing system.
April showers may bring May flowers, but new plant and tree growth can cause plumbing issues. This blog post will discuss the problems arising from tree roots intruding into the piping and how to solve and prevent this.
Intruding Tree Roots
When the weather finally warms up, trees can be in overdrive, trying to bud, bloom, and grow. These are all good things for a yard but can jeopardize the underground plumbing system. As trees grow, they search for nutrients and water in the soil to support their growth, which could lead to tree roots intruding into underground plumbing systems.
As trees grow, so do their roots, and these can begin to invade a plumbing system. To be able to grow, trees need to find nutrients in the soil wherever they can. This can lead the roots to water and sewer lines, leading to big plumbing issues when they find their way inside.
Problems From Intruding Tree Roots
Intruding tree roots can cause significant damage to pipes, leading to blockages, leaks, and even burst pipes. This, in turn, can result in water damage to homes and businesses, resulting in costly repairs and potential health hazards. This widespread issue affects residential and commercial properties, and trees close to buildings are particularly susceptible to intruding roots.
Some common signs people may notice when tree roots have found their way inside the piping are water pressure problems and slow draining. If someone sees signs of a leak, such as higher than normal water bills or soggy spots in the lawn, these can be signs of a leak that tree roots could cause.
Prevention and Solutions to Root Obstruction
It’s essential to act quickly if someone suspects they have a tree root intruding into their plumbing system. The first step should be to call a plumber. When an expert arrives, they will first inspect the piping system to determine if a tree root has grown into the system, where it is, and how much damage it has caused.
Once it’s located, the technician will remove the blockage with drain cleaning methods, such as hydrojetting or a drain snake. Hydrojetting involves using a heavy stream of water to break up and remove the blockage and any remnants, and a drain snake is a long flexible cable that can break up and remove blockages. Then, after the tree roots are removed, the technicians will perform leak repairs on the pipe and ensure the system is working correctly.
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent tree roots from invading a piping system. Root barriers can be installed underground to block tree roots from entering the pipes and causing issues. Another proactive step people can take is to schedule regular drain cleaning, maintenance services, and inspections to have experts check the lines. This will let them quickly find evidence of tree growth and eliminate them before they cause damage.
About VanDerBosch Plumbing Inc.
With nearly two decades of experience, VanDerBosch Plumbing Inc. works to help their Chicagoland neighbors keep their plumbing systems running. They offer 24/7 live answers, honest pricing, and same-day service. Call them today for drain cleaning services in Chicago, IL.
