Most property owners include trees in their landscaping plans in order to enhance the aesthetics of a property. Although trees are a great addition to any property, they sometimes cause sewer line disasters. Trees’ taproots, for instance, are a significant concern for many property owners because they interfere with the sewer lines and water pipes beneath them. Unless you sort the issues in time, the roots will continue to be a constant menace to your sewer line. Failure to manage tree roots in a timely manner would damage your sewage system and result in costly sewer line repairs. To avoid incurring such high costs, be sure to work with a professional plumber whenever you suspect that roots are interfering with your sewer line. We are a professional service provider that helps residents of Winston-Salem manage root damage on their sewer lines.
Warning Signs of an Impending Tree Roots Menace on Your Sewer Line
So, how do you tell if roots are interfering with your sewer line? Here are some of the warning signs that you should look out for:
- Sinkholes: The first sign that taproots are interfering with your sewer line is the presence of sinkholes. These are soft spots on your lawn resulting from water leaks caused by tree roots growing into sewer pipes and bursting them open. Signs of a sinkhole are soft spots that are often wet even during the dry season. If you notice these kinds of spots in your yard, your sewer line could be in trouble. You will need to contract a qualified plumber immediately to conduct an inspection.
- Visible water or hissing sound: Another sign of taproots damaging your sewer lines is slow water passing accompanied by the unusual sound. When a sewer line bursts, it will start leaking. If the sewer line is close to the soil surface, you will also notice water jetting from the system. This is often accompanied by a hissing sound. This could indicate tree root damage, and you will need to get in touch with a plumber.
- Green patches: Sewer lines contain wastewater that is rich in nutrients. If there is a burst sewer line beneath your yard or lawn, its plants will flourish. The grass above a damaged sewer line, for instance, is likely to be greener and healthier as compared to other parts, thus creating green patches on your lawn. If you notice such patches on your lawn, there could be taproot damage on your sewer line.
- An unpleasant smell: Sewer water is highly polluted, which means that it often emits a pungent smell. When your sewer line is damaged, the resultant water leaks would have a foul smell. When you notice an unusual odor in your compound, it could imply that your drainage system is leaking and you need emergency plumbing services.
- Slow drains: When the taproots encroach into your sewer line, they sometimes lead to partial or total blockage. This would result in slow drains of wastewater. If you notice that your sewer line is not draining normally and you have trees near the sewer, it could be a sign of root damage. You can contact an expert to conduct an inspection and confirm or dismiss your doubts.
Solutions to Sewer Line Problems Resulting from Tree Roots
Once you have confirmed that you have root damage in your sewer line, you can undertake numerous interventions. Some of the standard remedies to deal with drainage issues caused by roots are:
- Hydro jetting: This is a common remedy that many property owners use in dealing with blocked sewer lines due to roots. It involves using high-pressure water that is shot and swirled through your plumbing system to get rid of the roots. The solution is useful, especially when there are taproot growths in your sewer line without any breakages. It is also an eco-friendly method because it only involves the use of water.
- Pipe relining: Some tree root damages might destroy your sewer line so severely that you need a replacement. Pipe relining involves identifying the leaking pipes and inserting a pipe liner to prevent further leakages. Pipeliners are durable, and a cheaper option for replacing pipes. The best thing is that many of them can withstand roots. This method helps prevent future root damage and prevents leakages.
- Pipe replacement: If your technician inspects your sewer line and determines it is damaged beyond repair, you will need to replace it. This involves digging out the old sewer pipe and replacing it with a new one. You do not need to replace the entire pipe, only where there are leaks.
- Use of herbicides: Although this method is not standard, some people still use it. It involves spraying plants growing on top of your sewer line with herbicides to kill them. This will prevent roots from penetrating your sewer pipe and preventing further taproot damage. This method, however, is not eco-friendly because it involves using chemicals that might be harmful to the environment.
Contact Us
If you suspect that you are having root damage on your plumbing system, get in touch with us before the issue escalates further. With our highly qualified and experienced plumbers, we will help you manage the roots in a timely manner. We are always happy to resolve all plumbing issues that affect the residents of Winston-Salem and the surrounding areas.
