When tree roots grow into your sewer line, they wreak havoc on your system, causing clogs, blockages, or bursts. While traditional repair methods cause significant damage to your property, modern options offer a less invasive approach. Read on to discover the signs of tree roots in your sewer line and how trenchless sewer repair can stop them in their tracks.
How Tree Roots Cause Damage to Your Sewer Pipes
Tree roots are constantly searching for moisture and nutrients, and there’s no better place to find them than your sewer line. Small cracks or misalignments allow water to drip out, attracting tree roots to the line. The roots expand and multiply as they begin infiltrating the pipe, causing more damage and eventually bursting the pipe or blocking the drainage.
Signs You Have Tree Roots in Your Sewer Line
Knowing the warning signs that tree roots are growing in your sewer line helps you catch the issue before significant damage occurs. If you notice any of the following, contact a plumber as soon as possible:
- Lush, green grass: If you notice areas of bright green grass on your property, this may be a sign that tree roots have invaded your sewer line. When cracks allow wastewater to leak out of the pipe, it provides moisture and nutrients for the surrounding grass and soil.
- Foul smells: Tree roots can cause wastewater to back up in your home, producing unpleasant odors in your sinks, showers, toilets, and drains.
- Sinkholes: When a cracked sewer line leaks water into your yard, it erodes the surrounding soil. Eventually, the erosion creates a void or cavity under the surface and collapses into a sinkhole.
- Slow-moving drains: One of the first signs of tree roots in your sewer pipes is slow-moving drains. If you flush the toilet or run water in the sink and it drains too slowly, there’s a good chance that tree roots have entered the line.
- Gurgling toilets and drains: When tree roots cause a backup in your sewer line, air bubbles often form in the lines, creating strange gurgling noises in your toilets and drains.
Effective Ways to Remove Tree Roots from Sewer Pipes
While you may feel tempted to try DIY methods to remove tree roots from your sewer pipes, it’s best to leave it to a professional. Plumbers have the skills and tools to properly diagnose the issue and determine the best solution. They’ll insert a specialized camera into the pipe to examine the damage and help choose the most effective repair method.
Plumbers often recommend trenchless repair to minimize property damage. There are two trenchless methods: pipe lining and pipe bursting. Pipe lining involves pulling a liner through the damaged pipe and inflating it to form a new inner layer. Pipe bursting involves pulling a new pipe through the old one to break it apart and lay a new line. The best choice will depend on the location and extent of damage.
Benefits of Trenchless Sewer Repair for Tree Root Damage
Trenchless sewer repair is a minimally invasive and efficient method for homeowners dealing with tree root damage. Some of the top benefits of trenchless repair include:
- Minimal excavation: Trenchless repair requires only two small access points at the beginning and end of the sewer line, offering minimal disruption to your property.
- Efficiency: Without the need for extensive excavation, plumbers can complete trenchless repairs in as little as one day.
- Cost-effective: While trenchless repair may have a higher upfront cost, homeowners often benefit from long-term savings as minimal restoration and landscaping are required afterward.
- Durability: Pipe-lining and bursting are more durable than traditional methods, providing long-term solutions for homeowners.
Tips for Preventing Tree Root Damage to Your Sewer Pipes
The best way to prevent tree roots from damaging your pipes is to schedule an annual sewer line inspection. During the inspection, a plumber will insert a camera through your pipes to identify minor cracks or damage before they become a major issue. Regular inspections help you catch invading tree roots early and ensure they stay away after removal.
Along with annual sewer inspections, there are some additional steps you can take to prevent tree roots from damaging your pipes, including:
- Planting trees away from sewer pipes
- Using root growth inhibitors in your sewer system
- Flushing pipes with foaming root killer
- Installing physical root barriers around your pipes
- Removing tree roots near your pipes
Call Frank’s for Sewer Line Repair in Amarillo!
If you suspect tree roots have invaded your sewer line, call Frank’s for emergency repair! We’ll thoroughly inspect your pipes to assess the damage and determine the best solution for your property. We always arrive with a fully stocked truck so our technicians can get to work repairing your sewer line right away.
Call us or book online to schedule your trenchless sewer repair in Amarillo and surrounding areas today! Our team is available 24/7, so you can count on us to be there whenever disaster strikes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does homeowners insurance cover roots growing into pipes?
Most homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover pipe damage caused by tree roots, as it’s considered a maintenance issue rather than an accidental event. However, some policies will cover water damage to your home in the case of a burst pipe or backup.
How long does trenchless pipe repair take?
The time required for trenchless pipe repair will depend on the extent and location of the damage. We can complete most jobs in less than a day, but severe damage may take multiple days to repair.
