Why Do Tree Roots Want to Go Into Your Sewer Line?
Clogged sewer lines are frequently caused by tree roots, resulting in sewage backups in your home.
These clogs are sneaky because they appear to appear out of nowhere.
That’s not completely true, though – often there are warning indications. Learn why this occurs so you can spot the issue and schedule sewage line repairs as soon as feasible.
Sewer Leaks Equal Tree Food
Humans don’t want to be near sewage, but trees do.
A sewer pipe transports organic debris and water, both of which are considered food by tree roots.
Human feces is incredibly nutritious for plants, which is why it was sometimes utilized as fertilizer.
Tree roots do not grow in your yard seeking sewer pipes at random.
Roots can find the line in two separate instances.
One possibility is that the pipe develops a leak, allowing sewage and water to seep into the soil. This is tasted by nearby tree roots.
The roots then grow toward the food supply and into the pipe’s break.
The roots fill the pipe and cause a clog as they become larger and more numerous.
Roots that have been growing into a pipe for a long period might fill it up and extend the pipe’s length.
Another scenario is when a pipe was recently installed and the dirt has not yet settled.
This looser soil makes it simpler for roots to move through, and if the new pipe has a fracture in it — even if it’s not sending sewage away from the pipe — tree roots can home in on it, penetrate the crack, and cause plumbing issues.
Prevention
Regularly surveying your yard surrounding the sewer line is one of the best ways to prevent tree roots from clogging your lines.
You can find out where utility lines are in your yard by dialing 811, then following the sewer line and looking at the dirt.
Look for moist places when the rest of your yard is dry, and see if the grass or neighboring plants appear to be a little lusher than the rest of your yard.
If you notice any of these indicators, you should contact a plumber who specializes in sewer repair.
Examine the trees in your yard as well. Look up the sort of tree in the yard if you moved into a house with mature trees to discover if it is a sewage-unfriendly tree.
These are trees with aggressive, spreading roots that extend far beyond the trunk.
If you have any of these, call an arborist to have barriers installed to keep the roots out of the sewer line.
Keep trees with aggressive, spreading roots well away from the sewer line if you’re trying to plant them.
Look for trees with taproots, which are long, vertical roots that do not spread, if you wish to put trees near the line.
There are certain trees with non-aggressive spreading roots, but don’t take a chance with them.
Simple Answers
When a clog is severe enough, the line must be dug out, opened, and the roots and tree removed.
However, you may sometimes remove the roots without undertaking extensive yard work, and in many situations, you can maintain the tree as well.
However, in either instance, you should contact a plumbing or septic firm to have the tree inspected and see how it is hurting your sewage system.
If you don’t have the necessary experience, don’t try to do anything on your own.
Contact Turner Septic if you’ve had a sewage clog and suspect it’s due to a tree root mass.
Do not postpone!
To keep your home secure, you need to get that sewer line fixed as soon as possible.
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