Tree Root Pipe Blockages: How to Get Rid of Them

Lush green trees provide a calm, soothing landscape for you to enjoy, but they can also cause problems for your sewage lines. As trees mature, their roots extend deeper into the ground, where they can then reach and cause damage to your sewer pipes.

Oak Plumbing, a top plumbing repair company in the state, lists the signs that indicate there may be tree roots blocking your pipes.

Smelly, Hard-to-Flush Toilets and Slow Drains

These will probably be the first signs you’ll encounter. Tree root blockage obstructs the flow of water in the pipes, making it harder for water to go down the drain or toilet. Unpleasant smells are also likely to emanate from your bathroom fixtures if there’s tree root blockage somewhere down your pipes.

Sinkholes

Sinkholes are formed when water from tree-root-damaged pipes starts to leak out and soften parts of your yard. Eventually, the wet portions will cave in, forming a sinkhole.

Rapid Tree Growth

Excess water from leaks can make trees grow faster. If there’s a disparity between the growth rate of the trees in your yard, you might have a leaking sewer pipe.

Tree Root Removal

If you observe any of these signs, it’s likely that your sewer lines are made of brittle, leak-prone clay tile, cast iron or orangeburg piping. Modern sewer pipes are no longer made using these materials; newer sewer lines use plastic pipes that are resistant to tree roots.

Even if you notice these indicators that tree roots may be blocking your pipes, don’t jump to conclusions just yet. Call a pipe leak repair company to inspect your pipes for blockages. Plumbing contractors can usually send a mini video camera down the pipes to determine the root cause.

If they discover that tree roots have breached the pipes, they’ll remove them using any of the following methods:

• Mechanical Tree Root Removal – Plumbing contractors will use a mechanical auger, which has a rotating head covered in teeth akin to a saw blade, to clear the roots. They can also remove the roots mechanically using a hydro-jetter, which uses pressurized water to clear the sewer pipes.

• Chemical Tree Root Removal – After getting rid of the blockage, plumbing contractors can flush down chemicals to prevent the roots from growing back.

You can also have a sewer line repair company line your old sewer pipes with internal fabric and cement or replace them altogether with plastic pipes.

If you’re looking for a plumbing contractor, hire one with excellent customer reviews like Oak Plumbing, which was awarded the 2017 Angie’s List Super Service Award for our commitment to our customers. To schedule an inspection, call (707) 200-7594 or fill out this form. We serve homeowners in Vacaville and Sacramento, CA.

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