Sewer lines are designed to bring wastewater away from your home. These lines can last for up to 100 years when they are properly cared for, so many homeowners don’t spend a lot of time thinking about them.
Unfortunately, out of sight doesn’t mean out of mind. If there are any trees or bushes nearby, tree roots can grow into the sewer lines. While they don’t grow rapidly, they can still cause gradual damage to your lines. By being proactive about detecting and fixing this problem, you can prevent more costly repairs later on.
How Tree Roots Get Into Sewer Lines
Tree roots naturally grow toward water, which is why they grow toward sewer lines. Small cracks in the line and porous materials allow moisture to escape. Once roots detect this moisture, the roots slowly start to grow in the direction of the line. Tiny root hairs grow into small cracks. Over time, these roots expand in the pipe and block the flow of water.
Roots can enter sewer lines if any of the following situations are present.
- Cracks in aging pipes can let moisture escape.
- Misaligned joints are a common entry point for roots.
- Some homes use clay pipes. These porous pipes are more likely to experience root intrusion.
- Collapsed sections of the line create openings that roots can take advantage of.
How Do Tree Roots Damage Sewer Lines?
Once tree roots get inside your lines, they can cause sewer backups, blocked pipes, and water leaks. When sewage is unable to leave your home, it can overflow your toilet, tub, and sink. Clogs are also more likely because the roots function like a net inside the pipe, catching grease and toilet paper.
As water leaks from your damaged pipes, it can worsen soil erosion. Eventually, these can result in sinkholes and foundation problems. If root damage is ignored for too long, the repair costs can quickly add up.
Signs You May Be Dealing With Root Intrusion
Left untreated, root intrusion can eventually cause pipes to crack and fail. Because of the costly repairs and health risks involved, it’s important to immediately seek help if you notice any of the following symptoms.
- Gurgling Noises: When air is trapped in your system, it can cause gurgling sounds.
- Slow-Draining Fixtures: If a single fixture drains slowly, there is likely a problem with just that fixture. When multiple plumbing components drain slowly, there is likely an issue with your sewer line.
- Toilet Backups: For a similar reason, you may notice more frequent toilet backups if there is any intrusion. Roots can block waste from leaving your home, leading to recurring backups.
- Wet Spots in Your Yard: Look for any sinkholes, wet spots, or strangely lush grass in your yard. These symptoms often occur if your line is leaking.
- Foul Odors: If your home smells like sewage, it may be due to a wastewater leak.
What Does Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Do To Diagnose Root Intrusion?
To diagnose intrusion, our team uses video camera inspections, water pressure tests, and smoke testing. A video camera inspection involves feeding a camera into the sewer line to find the problem and see how bad it is.
Meanwhile, water pressure tests are a simple way to see if there are sudden drops in pressure that shouldn’t occur. If there are, it may be due to root intrusion.
Finally, our plumbers can pump smoke into your system. If there are leaks, we can easily find them by observing where the smoke comes out.
How To Remove Tree Roots From Sewer Lines
The best way to deal with intrusion depends on the extent of the problem. We may recommend a full sewer line replacement, hydro jetting, trenchless repairs, or mechanical root cutting. Hydro jetting and mechanical root cutting are often used together as the first line of attack. While trenchless repairs can work for moderate damage, a full line replacement is necessary in instances where repairs aren’t possible.
What You Can Do To Prevent Future Intrusion
As a homeowner, one of the most effective things you can do to prevent intrusion is to be mindful about where you plant your trees. Oaks, willows, and maples are known for being especially aggressive, so you should generally avoid these tree types. At the very least, they should be planted as far away from your pipes as possible.
We also recommend scheduling a plumbing inspection each year. During the inspection, we can check your water pressure, perform a video inspection, and test your appliance components. By doing so, we can detect and resolve minor intrusion issues before they worsen.
FAQs
How far should trees be planted away from sewer lines?
In general, you should plant trees at least 10 to 15 feet away from your lines. However, large or water-loving trees should be planted at least 20 to 30 feet away.
What are some of the worst trees for sewer lines?
Willows, silver maples, poplars, American elms, and sycamores tend to cause the most damage to sewer lines.
How common is it to find tree roots in sewer lines?
Unfortunately, tree roots are one of the most common sources of damage. Over time, they can easily find a way into the lines through small cracks and loose joints.
How long do sewer lines last?
It all depends on the material involved. While clay pipes last as little as 50 years, PVC and cast iron pipes can easily last for 100 years.
Get Help With Your Tree Root Intrusion Issues
At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, we have years of experience working with local homes and businesses. Whether you’re dealing with damage to sewer lines or an overflowing toilet, our team is on hand to address every plumbing disaster. If there’s any delay, it’s you we pay! Learn more by reaching out to our Pompano Beach team today.
