Tree Roots in drain pipes can be a major problem in the home. Learn the best tips to killing tree roots in your sewer pipes.
Mature trees add so much beauty to a neighborhood, especially in the springtime when they are in bloom. The natural shade is lovely. But did you know tree roots can be a terrible adversary for your sewer pipes? Everyone loves trees, right? But sewer pipes are important too, for obvious reasons. There must be a mutually beneficial answer. Here are some some important things to know about how roots can wreck your pipes and what to do if you have a problem.
4. Who do you call: plumber or sewer line specialist? Either a plumber or a sewer line specialist is a good place to start, but there are differences. Not all plumbers deal with sewer lines, and once it is determined that roots are the “root cause” of the situation, they may refer you to a sewer line specialist. Or, if you are sure it is an underground sewer pipe problem, you can start with the sewer line specialist or one of the “rooter” companies.
5. What type of solutions can you expect? – Pipes, get ready for your close up … most professionals will want to diagnose the problem by snaking a special camera to where the blockage is to get a good look. Talk about a long “selfie stick!” Sometimes, they will even share the photos with you. This will help them see how big the root mass is and how much damage has been done to the pipe. They can then open up the pipe by treating the root with chemicals or with a mechanical routing device that chops up the roots and gets things flowing properly again. If they determine that the pipe is so damaged that you will need it replaced, there will be digging involved and it will be a bigger, more expensive job. It’s not pretty, but this happens to many homeowners. The good news is brand-new pipes will likely be a longer-lasting solution. Underground pipes are made out of different materials. Older clay pipes are more susceptible to root invasion. Metal pipes are heavier, making them harder to deal with, and sometimes have loose joints. The more preferred modern material for underground pipes is the lightweight and less penetrable plastic.
Now that you know what to look for and what to expect, you may be able to prevent big problems or at least know how problems might be fixed. Trees and pipes co-existing. It’s a win-win!
For more ways to protect your home, check out more from the blog.
Sources:
http://www.paininthedrain.com/roots/
http://www.familyhandyman.com/plumbing/repair/how-to-stop-tree-roots-from-plugging-sewer-lines/view-all
https://www.lowesforpros.com/articles/4-steps-to-dealing-with-invasive-tree-roots_a1495.html
http://www.plumbingprofessors.com/sewer-issues/roots-in-sewer/
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/home-remedy-kill-roots-sewer-pipe-92510.html
http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/lawn-garden/how-to/a8769/how-to-keep-roots-from-wrecking-your-sewer-line-15248761/
https://www.angieslist.com/articles/warning-signs-main-sewer-line-clog.html
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