Are you worried about tree roots wreaking havoc on your underground plumbing pipes? The roots of trees are extremely good at seeking out water sources. If you have a small leak in an underground pipe and a tree nearby, there’s a good chance that the tree will send roots in the direction of that leaking pipe, especially if the tree is fast-growing or has an aggressive root system. The good news is that there are steps you can take to prevent tree root infiltration in your underground plumbing pipes. Let’s take a look at the signs of a tree root infestation and what you can do to prevent it.
Plumbing Mistakes That Attract Tree Roots
If you want to prevent tree root infestations and the clogs they cause, it’s best to hire an experienced Chicago plumber to install your plumbing system and/or perform any repairs. Hiring a licensed, bonded and insured Chicago plumber helps minimize the chances that the plumber will use outdated materials or improper installation techniques to cut corners and save money.
The Number One Plumbing Mistake: Improper Pipe Installation
Qualified plumbers will make sure that all of the pipe seams and joints are sealed tightly and not leaking. Leaking joints can attract tree roots with the water. Then, once the roots reach the pipe, they can enter through the crack and cause clogs.
The Number Two Plumbing Mistake: Using Outdated Materials
Make sure your underground drain and sewer lines are made from modern materials, like PVC. Clay and cast iron pipes may not be able to repel tree roots. Clay pipes can crack or become brittle over time. Cast iron pipes can start to rust.
The Number Three Plumbing Mistake: Failing to Perform Regular Maintenance
Even if you hire the right plumber and insist on the right materials, you still have to perform regular maintenance on your drain lines and sewer line. Regular maintenance involves having your drain lines hydrojetted. Hydrojetting uses pressurized water to clear partial clogs and debris from the pipe, even tree roots. You should also consider getting a camera inspection every couple of years. Camera inspections can tell you if there are any breaks or clogs in the pipe and if tree roots have made their way inside.
How to Tell if Your Sewer Line Has Been Infiltrated by Tree Roots
Your sewer line is the pipe that connects your building’s wastewater drainage system to the city’s water treatment system. Every time one of your residents turns on a faucet, takes a shower or flushes a toilet, the used water flows down the drain pipes. Then, they flow through your sewer pipe and onto the city’s wastewater treatment system. Residential homes typically have either 4 or 6-inch sewer pipes. Multifamily buildings, like condos and apartment complexes, typically have sewer lines that measure 8 to 10 inches in diameter.
Multiple Drains Are Slow
When your sewer line starts to develop a tree root blockage or any type of blockage, your building may experience multiple slow drains. This is because the partial tree root clog is restricting the flow of water. When this happens, your residents may notice that sinks and bathtubs drain slower.
Drains Are Backing Up
If the flow of water is severely or completely restricted, the drains in your building may start backing up. This is where the water is flowing into the pipe a lot faster than it can exit. When this happens, the wastewater in your building will start to back up. This typically starts in the lowest drains, like the floor drains in your basement. First-floor or basement apartments may also experience drain backups.
Your Building or Yard Stinks
Wastewater stinks. If your sewer pipe is leaking because of a tree root infestation, you may be able to smell it when walking across your property. If it’s really bad, you may even be able to smell it in your building.
There’s a Sudden Sinkhole on Your Property
If the tree roots cause the sewer pipe to break or completely collapse, the water exiting your building will flow onto your property. This can lead to a stinky sinkhole.
Proactively Preventing Tree Root Infestations
As a building owner, superintendent or property manager, there are things you can do to prevent tree root infestations.
1. Know Where Your Sewer Line Is Located.
The first step to preventing tree root infestations in your sewer line is to know where it’s located. If you can’t find the schematic for your drain and sewer system, you can also hire a Chicago plumber to locate the sewer line and mark it.
2. Don’t Plant Trees Near Your Sewer Line or Remove Trees From Around the Pipe.
Once you know where your sewer line is located, look at where your trees are placed. Are any of them near your sewer line? A good rule of thumb is to never plant trees within 10 feet of a sewer line, and if you have trees within that zone, you may want to consider having them removed before their roots lead to expensive sewer line repairs.
3. Don’t Plant Fast-Growing Trees or Trees with Aggressive Roots.
Some fast-growing trees that are common to Illinois and the Midwest include crabapples, Kentucky coffee trees, freeman maples, sweet birch, pawpaws, and elm hybrids. Trees with aggressive root systems include willows, poplars, oak trees, pines, and sycamore trees. If you plan to introduce new trees to your property, you may want to consult with an arborist. Arborists are knowledgeable about trees and can recommend the right species for your property.
4. Line Your Sewer Pipe with an Epoxy Pipeliner
Epoxy pipeliners are tree root resistant. This is because pipelines don’t have any cracks or seams in them that could lead to a root infestation. Epoxy pipeliners can also help restore the structural integrity of sewer pipes that have experienced large cracks or breaks. This is because both a felt liner and epoxy are used to create the new pipe-within-a-pipe. The felt liner is cut to the length of the pipe then prepared for insertion and soaked with epoxy. Then, the epoxy-soaked liner is threaded through the pipe and inflated using an air bladder. The liner is then left to harden and cure in place. Once the liner has cured, the air bladder is removed, and the pipe is returned to service. The cured pipe is just as durable as a new pipe, and it’s less likely to suffer from tree root infiltrations.
Prevent Tree Roots with Epoxy Pipelining from NuFlow, Serving the Greater Chicago Area
At Nuflow, we understand that you want to keep your sewer line in good repair. After all, tree roots, clogs, and improper installation can lead to a stinky mess, both inside your building and on your property. The good news is that you can take proactive steps to prevent tree root clogs, and we can help you.
After all, did you know that every pipelining service starts with a thorough cleaning of the pipe run that is to be lined? It does. To ensure that the epoxy pipeliner adheres properly to the host pipe wall, we have to clean all of the corrosion and debris from the inside of the plumbing pipe. This gives you back the maximum internal diameter of your sewer line. Then, we line the pipe. Once the pipe is returned to service, you’ll notice improved water flow and durability. The only thing you’ll have to do is periodically have the sewer line hydrojetted.
If you’re ready to take proactive steps against tree roots, don’t hesitate to contact us.