Trees are a great addition to your lawn or compound. Their benefits range from increasing the aesthetic value of your home to holding the soil together and preventing erosion and providing natural shade.
However, underneath the trees are roots that could cause problems to your underground pipes. Unlike the branches and leaves which can be monitored and trimmed before causing damage, roots are often left unattended. Their growth can damage your plumbing system and cause blockages. Our friends at Gilmore Heating and Air Conditioning, a residential ac company in Placerville, add that roots can also damage your heating and cooling system if they get out of hand.
Given that you cannot see roots, how can you tell that they are interfering with your underground pipes? Below are several different signs to look for.
Repeated Toilet Backups
Your toilet drain transports waste material which is a great source of nutrients to plants. Since roots are always using nutrients, they can invade your drainage system in search of these nutrients. Initially, the small root hairs find weak spots in your drainage system and get through. But with time, the hairs grow thicker and bigger causing blockages.
Such a situation unchecked can cost you a lot of money to replace the damaged drainage system.
Other signs that indicate root interference with your drainage system include:
- Recurrent and unexplainable clogs
- Gurgling sounds
- Slow drainage
Blocked Water Main
Your water main is also susceptible to damage from roots. The water main feeds water into your home for various uses. Therefore, any kind of interference from the roots will affect the amount of water you get. Some of the signs to be on the lookout for include:
- A gradual drop in water pressure
- Banging and gurgling sounds
Since roots take time to grow, the effect might not be easily noticeable until very late.
Broken Pipes or Sewer lines
As roots grow bigger, they tend to crush or break underground pipes. This is especially the case in homes whose pipes are made of concrete or clay. You might not experience such effects on your pipes if they are made of PVC since they are impervious to roots.
Some of the most telling signs of broken pipes and sewer lines include:
- Low water pressure
- Abnormal sounds such as whistling and banging from the pipes
- Increased water bills despite no change in water usage habits
- Odors coming from your basement or yard
- Water puddles in your yard. This could either be clean water being fed into your house or sewage coming from your house.
The best way to determine whether your pipes are broken is through the use of a special camera that can be snaked through the pipe to detect issues.
Prevent Tree Roots from Damaging your Underground Pipes
Stopping tree roots from damaging your underground pipes will not only save you money but will also save you the trouble of having to damage your yard during repairs and replacements. You can do this through
- Considering your pipes and sewer lines before planting your tree. Avoid planting your trees around them.
- Find out what kind of roots your trees have. Avoid those with aggressive root systems.
And if you have trees already, the best way to ensure that their roots do not interfere with your underground pipes in Appleton Wisconsin is by calling Tureks, your number one plumbing solution. Contact us today so we can inspect your roots and drains!
