Trees are beautiful and life-giving. They give off oxygen, reducing our carbon footprint.
Did you know it takes approximately 178 trees to offset the emissions from a family of four? It’s easy to understand, we need trees!
However, the downside is their roots can cause havoc to our drainpipes.
SCARY!
Okay, maybe not SCARY, but roots can cause issues with our toilets, sinks, and showers. ANY home can be at risk.
Tree roots naturally gravitate towards moisture and the nutrients within the ground, including what’s found in underground pipes. Trees also tend to be nearly the same size underground as they are above ground. That means the bigger the tree, the more roots to get into our wastewater pipes.
Roots start out small and hairlike. They work their way into the smallest of cervices. Seeking water, they grow, and more roots find their way in.
The next thing you know KA-POW! You’ve got a sewage backup, waterflow issues, and pipe damage.
Warning Signs of a Possible Root Invasion:
- Slow draining sink or tub
- Gurgling sounds, especially from your toilet
- Sinkholes in your lawn
- Rotten egg (sulfur) smell
Ways to :
- Know where your drain lines are. Being aware of the location of your pipes in your yard can help you if a problem surfaces or if you’re planning a renovation. If you don’t know where they are, check with Call Before You Dig and they can help.
- Landscape carefully. Consider slow-growing trees for your yard and perhaps removing fast-growing trees since they tend to aggressively seek more water.
- Replace vulnerable pipes. Clay and concrete pipes are more susceptible to hairline cracks and vulnerable to root invasion. Older pipes are usually replaced with HDPE (high-density polyethylene) pipe.
Remember, It’s possible that a slow-moving drain is just a clog from yuck build-up. Before panicking that your pipes have been infiltrated with roots, try this simple remedy.
If you suspect you have seriously clogged drainpipes, or the clog clearing recipe does not help, it’s time to call in the pros. Ignoring it will only compound the issues and the cost.
Give us a call. We’re always happy to investigate. Don’t laugh if we suit up like we were on the Ghostbusters team. That’s how we take care of that SCARY root problem right away!
