Many people believe that sewer pipe breaks are the result of root intrusion. The truth is that this is not the case at all.
Only if there was an already-existing hole or crack in the pipe would you have roots in your system.
Roots are attracted to oxygen and water because of their need for both. When a root detects moisture, it immediately seeks it out.
Hair roots and larger, permanent roots work together to hold the plant or tree in place while the latter searches for and supplies water and nutrients. If the tree is large enough, the root system can extend up to 100 feet.
Did you know that trees can be a danger to our underground pipes as well as a lovely addition to our yards? It’s more common than you think to have tree roots in your sewer lines, and it can cause serious damage to your plumbing system.
What causes tree roots to get into your sewer line?
Water, nutrients, and oxygen are all necessary for trees to thrive. Roots go searching for these if they don’t have enough of them. Tree roots are able to find exactly what they’re looking for thanks to sewer lines in our homes.
If a sewer pipe has a crack in it, a tree root can more easily find and enter. Tree roots have an easier time getting into your sewer line if you make it easy for them to find water and oxygen. Tree roots will continue to grow into pipes if they have already entered one.
Although a tree root can easily enter your sewer line through a crack in a pipe, it is not necessary. Even without an opening, tree roots can penetrate most sewer lines.
Roots can only cause a Sewer Pipe to burst from the inside out.
Having established that the roots don’t break, let’s cover a possible scenario that could occur.
After the sewer line was installed, let’s say someone decided to plant a tree on top of it. The root ball will eventually encircle and enclose the pipe as the tree grows.
Pipes in North Texas, where root balls can reach lengths of five to ten feet, are prone to breaking under the pressure of the root ball. There is a constant movement of the soil in North Texas; it expands and contracts. Pressure will build up around pipes that aren’t moving because the root ball is keeping them in place. This will eventually lead to a leak in the system.
Roots were still unable to penetrate the pipe, resulting in the breakage. It was the root system’s pressure that did it.
If you have tree roots in your sewer line, what can happen?
The flow of your home’s drains will be slowed if a tree root grows into the sewer line in your home. Gargling noises from your toilet bowl are often the first sign of a problem. If you don’t fix the problem, your sewer line will become completely clogged. The root’s original entry point will also grow, which could eventually lead to the pipe collapsing.
Roots in a Sewer Line: How to Remove Them
There’s a good chance you’re wondering, “How do I prevent roots from getting into my sewer?”
Finally, the only way to ensure that the pipe is not broken is to prevent it from being broken at all.
The problem is that since you can’t see the pipes that are buried beneath the ground, this is not possible.
Get Rid of Tree Roots in Sewer Line
To remove tree roots from a sewer line, a sewer machine is employed. Attached to a cable, the machine has a special root-cutting attachment at the end of it.
Root cutting blades cut the roots as the cable is inserted into the line. The remaining debris may need to be flushed out of the system depending on the amount of growth.
This is a workable but short-term solution. If your sewer line still has breaks or cracks, the roots will simply return to your sewer system to do their dirty work.
Roots can become so entrenched in a sewer system that even a sewer machine is unable to remove them. It is necessary to expose, cut out, and replace the pipe in cases like this. Once again, it’s a rare occurrence, but it does come up.
Tree Root Chemicals or Sewer Salts
You can find root-killing methods online that involve rock salt or chemicals. Keep in mind that the chemical you could use could also weaken the pipe further by causing corrosion.
Rock salt, on the other hand, could exacerbate an existing blockage if the roots are stronger and more established. When dealing with small roots and root hairs, rock salt is the best option.
Eventually, you’ll need a sewer machine to remove the roots.
However, this is only a band-aid solution. As a result of the breaks in the line, the roots can regrow.
Remove and Replace a Sewer Pipe
Replacement of the pipe is the best way to ensure that your system is and will remain root-free.
Roots can be kept at bay with the temporary measures I’ve outlined above, but you’ll eventually have to replace the pipe.
Root growth in your sewer line is impossible to predict. Tree species, soil conditions, and other factors all play a role in how much sunlight a tree receives.
What Are the Signs That I Have Roots?
You can tell if there is a clog in your system if your system is backed up and you suspect a clog.
There are no roots if you remove the clog and it doesn’t return. It’s time for an investigation if you clear the clog and it reappears soon after.
Sewage camera inspections can be performed by a plumber to find out what’s causing the recurrence of back-ups.
Sewage camera inspections are an option if you aren’t experiencing any clogs but still want to be on the safe side.
Is Tree Root Damage Covered by My Homeowner’s Insurance?
If it’s outside the house, it’s not safe. Anything to do with pipes, whether they be sewer or water. It’s not covered if it’s outside your house. Period.
In Texas, however, there is the possibility of coverage if the damage is below the slab. Your company’s policies and procedures are a major factor. It’s worth calling if you have damage to your home, such as flooding caused by a tree root backup in under slab plumbing.
Remove Roots from a Sewer Line for How Much?
A lot of it comes down to the situation. However, a rough estimate suggests that it could cost between $100 and $200, and in some cases even more. Simply removing the roots is not enough.
For a long-term solution to your problem, the cost could range from $700 to thousands of dollars. Getting to the pipes may necessitate punching holes in the slab, tunneling, or other methods, depending on how much of the line has roots and breaks.
In other words, it’s a good idea to start planning for a replacement now.
