The pipes under our homes hide a lot of secrets. We usually only realise there is a problem with our pipes when they start causing issues. One of the lesser known, but very common ways pipes can become damaged is by tree roots. The trees in your garden and surrounding your home can really add character to your home’s exterior, as well as add a bit of privacy. However, the roots from trees surrounding your home can grow into your sewer lines and cause very serious damage.
How can pipes become damaged?
The water running through your sewer pipes is usually warm and contains nutrients and matter that aids tree growth. As the warm water flows from your home, the vapour is released from any loose joints or cracks within your pipes, seeping into the cooler soil. As the tree roots detect moisture and heat, they will naturally grow towards the source in search of nutrients. This can lead to tree roots growing into pipes that have cracked, or putting pressure on pipes and compromising them. Don’t underestimate the power of hungry tree roots! Tree roots can cause severe blockages and cause your pipes to fracture and even collapse. Tree roots can grow into your pipes and penetrate them within two years or growth, from even the smallest crack. Considering how slowly trees grow, this is very fast. If you have trees surrounding your home, in your garden, or even if you live on a particularly green street, this is something you need to be aware of.
Signs you may have roots in your pipes
If you own your home, root maintenance around sewers is your responsibility, not that of the local councils. Whilst it is hard to know what is happening below ground, there are a few tell-tale signs which signal you have a pipe problem.
- Slow drains: If you notice over a sustained period of time that water is draining slowly from sinks, the shower and other appliances, this should ring alarm bells. Even if it is not tree related, this is usually the first sign of a pipe issue, as moisture is escaping somewhere in the system, and water pressure is being lost.
- Gurgling or bubbling sounds: Free-flowing drains should make no sound, aside from the quick rushing away of water. Any loud banging or strange sounds coming from your drains when you flush a toilet or empty a sink means water is struggling to move through pipes. This again suggests water is escaping somewhere else within the system.
- Regular toilet backups and unpleasant smells: The last place you want a blocked pipe, is to and from your toilet. Tree roots can block the movement of water from your toilet, catching toilet paper and debris which will collect and solidify over time. The accumulation of matter around the tree roots will only get bigger the longer it is left, and the smell from your pipes will also worsen until the blockage is removed.
How to get rid of tree roots from your pipes
A tree root can cause major damage to your home if left unchecked. Drainage experts from Aspect use a variety of techniques including CCTV Drain Surveys to detect if you have roots in your pipes and remove them- before they turn into larger problems. A drain survey provides a detailed map of what is happening underneath your home, allowing problem areas to be identified and fixed. A drain survey not only can identify tree roots, but it can find any other buildups, possible issues or areas that could cause future problems. Using state-of-the-art equipment, Aspect professionals can provide video footage and imagery of the inside of your pipes, letting you see exactly where the problems lie.
