How to Tell if Tree Roots Are Growing Into Your Sewer Pipes

Posted By The Eco Plumbers 13 Nov. 2013
A common problem that can occur with your sewer involves tree roots growing into the sewer pipes. When this happens, the roots slowly begin to cause blockages in your sewer system and can ultimately break your pipes, leading to costly plumbing repairs. Read on to learn why tree roots grow into sewer pipes, how you can spot this serious problem, and what your next steps should be.

What Causes Roots to Grow In Pipes
As warm water flows inside your sewer pipes, vapor can escape into the soil around them through either a loose joint or a crack in your pipes. Because tree roots can grow extremely long distances underground in search of water and other nutrients, they are attracted to this vapor and will grow toward it. Once they reach the area of escaped vapor, the tree roots will start to grow into the crack or loose joint in order to reach even more nutrients inside.

If they are left undisturbed, these tree roots will continue growing within your pipes, filling them with roots that eventually catch toilet paper, oil, grease, fats, grit, and any other debris that is sent through your sewer system. This leads to serious blockages and ultimately structural damage to your sewer pipes.

Watch for Slowly Flowing Drains
The first sign of tree roots growing into your sewer pipes is slowly flowing drains. The best way to watch for slowly flowing drains is in your toilet bowl. If your drains are not flowing properly, the toilet bowl will emit a gurgling noise. This is due to the early stages of blockages in your pipes. If you hear this gurgling noise, you should contact a plumber to assess the problem. The likelihood of this indicating tree roots in your sewer pipes is much higher if you have an older home.

Blockages & Collapsed Pipes
The next stage in the process of tree roots infiltrating your sewer pipes is a blockage. If you are facing a serious blockage in your toilet, the problem could be more than just an average clogged pipe. It is always better to be safe than sorry, as this problem is one of the most expensive to repair, especially if you do not catch it until serious damage occurs. The next stage in this process is a complete collapse of the sewer pipe. If your pipes are structurally damaged, they will need to be replaced.

Removing Tree Roots
If the damage to your sewer pipes is not severe, the tree roots can simply be removed from your pipes using an auger, high-pressure flusher, or root saw. After the tree roots and all blockages are removed, the next step is repairing the problem area. Your Columbus, Ohio plumber may choose to use pipe lining to prevent roots from growing into your sewer pipes again. If your sewer pipes suffered structural damage, the plumber can also replace these pipes. If you suspect that tree roots are growing into your sewer pipes, do not hesitate to contact The Eco Plumbers today.

Categories: Drain Cleaning