Trees are an important component of every home. It adds character and aesthetic value to the home. However, there are flipsides to this too. If the trees are not well-maintained, it can totally damage the plumbing system in your home. Yes, if left unchecked, trees can cause havoc on your lawn and the water pipes beneath the sewage. Gharpedia presents some basic information about this plumbing problem, such as why roots grow in pipes, signs of tree roots in the sewer line, and how to get rid of roots in the sewer line.
So, let’s start the journey…
Why do Tree Roots Grow in Your Drains?
Trees look for moisture and nutrients in the soil, and your sewer lines are the best place they can get it from. They are attracted mainly by the small leaks and cracks in pipes that create humidity. Unfortunately, when the roots find their way into the lines, they slowly grow and fill the pipe, causing a host of issues in your plumbing system that must be immediately dealt with.
The growth of tree roots in drains clog your drains and can be converted into a hesitating plumbing issue. But, you know, with the tree roots, many other things can clog your drain. So, click on the below link and know your drain’s enemies.
Signs of Tree Roots in the Sewer Line
So, how to know if tree roots in sewer lines? It’s simple. Here are the symptoms of tree roots in the sewer line that you should check for;
01. Unexpected Increase in Water Bills
Have you been left in a state of shock of late due to an unexpectedly high water bill? If the answer is yes, then check your pipes. You might be having a severe issue of root intrusion-induced damage in your pipes. If water is constantly leaking from the broken pipes, then you’ve been paying for all the water that was wasted.
So, if you find that your water bills are making holes in your pocket, mend the damage in your waterlines caused by the tree roots!
02. Slow Emptying Drains of Showers and Sink
When the tree roots find their way into your pipes, they start growing and spreading. You might not notice any effect at the start; however, they can cause pipe blockage or even damage as they grow and spread. Slow draining of sink and showers is the red flag’s first sign.
If you start noticing slow water draining, check for tree roots in your sewer lines as they might be the cause.
03. Sinkholes in Your Yard
If your pipes have severe root damage, your lawn would have soft spots and sinkholes. The extreme growth of tree roots in pipes can break or crack your pipes, causing water leakage into the soil.
After a constant water leakage, the water would form sinkholes in your yard. In this case, you’d need a professional to check your sewer line since root blockage in the sewer lines is a serious issue.
04. Gurgling Noise in Your Drain
Are you thinking of the regular bath draining gurgle you hear after taking a shower? No, that’s not what we’re talking about here. Blocked drains produce a sinister gurgling noise whenever you empty the sink or flush the toilet. The sound is caused by the water trying to go through an obstacle in the drain.
Whenever you hear such a sound in your drains, know it’s a sign of tree roots in the sewer line and act fast before the issue gets out of hand.
05. Bad Smell from The Drain
If there is some bad smell emanating from your drain, then there is a likelihood of tree roots in your sewer line. When tree roots block the sewer line, they trap the waste, producing an unpleasant smell.
If the waste continues to accumulate at the blockage of the tree roots, the smell will get worse.
06. Toilet Regularly Backups
Another sign of tree roots in pipes is the regular blockages of the toilet. When tree roots find their way into your pipes, they trap toilet paper and other materials causing a bad blockage in a toilet drain.
07. A Sudden Low Water Pressure
Sudden low water pressure in your home is another sign of blocked pipes. If you feel like there is not enough water coming from the taps, you might have tree roots blocking your drain. In this case, you need to get a professional to check the cause.
How to Get Rid of Roots in Sewer Line?
Do you know how to remove tree roots from sewer pipes without even calling a plumber? Yes, it’s true. If your answer is no, then know; you can remove it by yourself by using special tools and salts. There are different salts available in the market that you can flush in your toilet to kill tree roots in pipes and get things flowing again.
Salts Used to Kill Tree Roots in the Sewer Line
Know which salts and chemicals kill tree roots in the sewer lines. You can use the below-listed salt for it, but with some care:
01. Copper Sulfate as a Root Killer for Drains
Copper sulfate works very well as the root killer for drains. It is primarily found in home improvement stores. It is a natural herbicide and kills off small roots entering into your pipes. However, it is not safe to be used in a septic system. To use it, you put half a cup of crystal into the toilet and flush it. Doing so would play the trick.
02. Rock Salt as a Root Killer
Rock salt works just like copper sulfate and unlike copper sulfate, rock salt is safe to be used in septic systems too. With rock salt, you only need one application to kill off the roots. However, one thing to remember is to not overuse the salt as this can poison the tree itself.
Although flushing the salts mentioned above can kill the tree roots in the sewer line and get things flowing again, it’s not a permanent solution. Therefore, to solve this problem once and for all, you need a permanent tree root solution.
03. Permanent Tree Root Solutions
Root invasion in your pipes is one situation where you’d certainly need a professional help. Plumbers have special tools in their arsenal for removing roots from drain pipes.
They also have some unique cameras for looking inside the sewer lines. With those cameras, they can see the exact root location and plan how to clear roots from drain pipes. So, if you’re a DIY type, you’d accept working with a specialist for once.
Tools Used for Clearing Tree Roots from Sewer Line
Some of the tools used for removing roots from drain pipes are;
01. Mechanical Auger or Rooter
A mechanical auger or rooter is used for clearing tree roots from the sewer line. To use this tool, you feed it down the line up to the obstruction. When it reaches the root, it chops it like a saw. What follows next is flushing out the pipe with water.
02. Hydro-Jet Machine
A hydro-jet machine is also a very useful tool for clearing tree roots from the sewer line. Hydro-jetting works by using flows of high-water pressure. It shoots water at a pressure of more than 4000 psi, which can cut through and disintegrate tree roots.
Well, it’s all about how to remove tree roots in sewer pipes, but we also have some very, very useful information regarding cleaning clogged drains. Go through the below link to know the same-
When it comes to your plumbing health, tree roots are invisible enemies that silently create havoc in your home. The later you tend to recognize the problem, the bigger the damage. Therefore, you should be vigilant to identify any signs of tree roots in the sewer line, so that you can act as fast as possible and curb the problem at the earliest.
After going through this blog, we hope you get crystal clear ideas about how to know if tree roots in sewer lines and how to get rid of roots in the sewer line.
Besides this issue, we also have much information about the many plumbing problems and their solutions. So, click on the below link and know the basic things about your drains care…
Clog Protection Basics: 10 Things You Should Never Flush Down the Drain
10 Things People Unknowingly Do That Can Ruin Plumbing System!
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Author Bio
Jennifer Kiminza – Jennifer Kiminza is a content writer and content marketing professional at Hub Spot, an inbound marketing and sales platform that helps companies attract visitors, convert leads, and close customers. Previously, Jennifer worked as a marketing manager for a tech software startup. She graduated with honors from Nairobi University with a dual degree in Business Administration and Creative Writing.
