How Can You Prevent Roots from Damaging Your Sewer Line?
Tree roots and other types of vegetation can be bad news for sewer lines. These do not only create blockages that affect plumbing, but they can also damage the sewer’s structure.
Any damage to sewer lines is expensive to repair and can set back property owners by thousands of dollars. Damaged sewer lines can also be the source of other inconveniences such as foul odor, pest infestation, and health issues.
It is important to prevent tree roots and vegetation from wrecking your sewer line and costing you thousands of dollars in repair and replacements. Here are some tips that can help.
Sewer Line Inspections
Regularly have professional plumbers inspect your sewer line to see if there are natural elements growing into it. Early inspection can outwork the potential big problem that can develop. This may cost you some but it’s always better (cheaper) to spend on preventive measures than repairs and replacements.
Sewer Line Locations
Do you know where the sewer lines are located? If not, call your local public works department or the national “811” hotline. They have information on all underground utilities. It’s best to get this information when you’re thinking of upgrading the landscape of your property.
Properly Prepare for Landscaping Projects
For landscaping projects, professional plumbers hired by Fox Valley and Applegate residents advise creating a barrier between trees and sewer lines. Slow release chemicals like copper sulfate and potassium hydroxide can be used to discourage root development into sewer lines. Apply these chemicals near the sewers to prevent roots from growing into sewers. Another solution to try is burying wood or metal barriers a foot deeper than the pipe. You can also run them vertically next to the sewer; this will prevent roots from getting to the pipes.
Think Long Term
Plan your landscaping by opting for trees and shrubs that only have a small root ball. These won’t grow too much and make their way into sewers but they’ll do just as fine in elevating the look of your outdoor space.
Call the Professionals
If drain clogs happen quite frequently, and the usual solutions are useless or only work temporarily, don’t delay in calling Turek’s Plumbing, your local Fox Cities plumbers, for an inspection of the sewer line. Other tell-tale signs to keep an eye out for are:
- Slow-flowing drains; these basically indicate that the system is having a difficult time pushing everything down.
- Gurgling noises from the toilet whenever it’s flushed.
- Overflow even after potent drain cleaners have been used.