You may have noticed some issues with your home's plumbing system. Maybe your drains are starting to gurgle, or they take forever to drain water from your sinks or tub. Both of these are common problems that often indicate a blockage in your sewer pipe.
What if I told you it was tree roots? Would you be surprised? You might be wondering how that even happens. It's true, trees, as beautiful as they are, can be a real nuisance to your plumbing system. Both water and sewer lines are deep below the ground, but that doesn't stop our green friends from searching for water. Fort Wayne plumbers from Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Fort Wayne are here with a handy guide as to how these roots find their way into your plumbing, and what you can do about it.
Tree roots can cause some serious issues if left untreated. From collapsed pipes to sewage backups, it is important to act quickly if you suspect a root intrusion. We'll cover all of the signs, solutions, and preventative measures you can take to keep your plumbing system free from roots and running smoothly.
How Tree Roots End Up in Your Sewer Line
Tree roots in sewer lines are something our plumbers see almost every day. But how does it happen? Well, as much as we all love greenery, trees can cause some serious problems for plumbing lines. Trees constantly seek out nutrients. And some of them, like willow, poplars, maples, and oaks, can be very aggressive in that search.
The tree roots grow quickly towards the water running through your lines. They'll find their way to your lines and invade through the cracks and joints in your pipes. Even if there aren't any cracks or spaces, they still follow the water vapor escaping from your pipes. These little roots eventually expand, creating a net that catches grease, oil, fat, and debris, restricting water flow and creating a blockage in your water supply or sewer system. They can even grow so large that they crush your pipe.
Top Signs You Have Tree Root Intrusion
It isn't always obvious if you have tree root intrusion. Most of the time, a professional will perform a sewer camera inspection. They insert a small, flexible camera into your drain or sewer line to determine the cause of your issues. Some signs include:
- Frequent clogs in multiple drains throughout your property.
- Your drains make noise when you flush the toilet or use the sink.
- Your drains drain slowly or not at all, causing water to pool in your sink.
- You notice a foul odor coming from your drains, which is caused by trapped waste.
- There are unexplained green spots, sinkholes, or soft spots in your yard.
If you notice any of these issues, it could be caused by tree roots in your sewer line. Now that you know the signs of tree roots in a sewer line, let's take a look at how professionals, and even you yourself, can remedy them.
How to Remove Tree Roots from Sewer Lines
DIY solutions, such as foaming root killers, may work, but they are not a permanent solution for tree roots in sewer lines. In most cases, it is recommended to hire a professional plumber like the one at Mr. Rooter Plumbing to find the right solution for your sewer line. They can repair the damage caused by tree roots and utilize advanced cleaning and clearing methods to resolve the issue.
Mechanical Augers
There are specific auger attachments designed to remove roots. A root cutter attachment is a specialized blade that cuts roots from the sewer line. While you can rent these, our professionals have one on hand and can ensure your line remains unscathed in the process. The mechanical auger is highly effective at removing the majority of roots. It's often suggested to flush rock salt down your toilet to help dry out leftover sewer roots.
HydroScrub ® Jetting
Hydroscrub jetting can be used to blast away debris and tree roots. The high-pressure water and scrubbing nozzle enter your system. A 1,500 to 4,000 PSI water stream cuts through most debris, but this process isn't usually enough on its own to do the job.
Instead, it's often done after manual cutting to remove any residual roots. This process should be handled by a professional to ensure no damage is done to your sewer line. High-powered water is dangerous and can cause more damage than good if not handled properly.
Sewer Line Repair and Replacement
Following a sewer inspection, it might be necessary to repair the cracks in your line or replace it entirely. If you have an older home with outdated sewer line materials, it's usually in your best interest to replace your sewer line. In either case, a trenchless sewer line service is the best course of action. Plumbers prefer trenchless techniques over traditional excavation whenever feasible. Typically, they'll use either pipe bursting or pipe lining to repair or replace your line.
In pipe lining, a cured-in-place pipe is slid inside the existing pipe and allowed to harden, creating a replacement in its place. This can be done with minimal disruption to your property. Pipe bursting is when a bursting head and a new pipe are slid in through a small hole dug at either end of your damaged pipe. The old pipe is burst open, and the new one is slid into place in one swift motion.
How to Prevent Future Root Intrusion
Having a prevention plan is the best way to prevent damage to your home and your sewer lines. Because roots grow toward water sources, it is important to plant your trees and shrubs far away from your sewer lines.
It can also be a good practice to avoid selecting water searching species. Scheduling regular camera inspections can help you detect root intrusion early, before the roots grow enough to cause serious plumbing issues. Regular drain cleaning and hydro jetting can also save you a lot by preventing root growth and debris buildup.
Tired of Roots in Your Sewer Line? Fort Wayne Plumbing Experts are Here to Help: Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing Today!
We hope this sheds some light on how you get tree roots in your sewer line. Fort Wayne plumbing experts from Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Fort Wayne are your best option for professional intervention. We have all the latest tools and techniques to remedy all of your sewer line issues, including root intrusion. Roots in your sewer lines can be a major headache, but with our professional sewer cleaning and root removal services, you'll never have to worry. We proudly serve Fort Wayne, Huntertown, New Haven, Roanoke, Arcola, and Waynedale.
Call us today if you need to remove tree roots from your sewer line; we're happy to help.
