How Trees Can Destroy Your Home's Sewer Line

June 08, 2016

You try to be careful and make sure you keep from putting anything down the drain that would clog your pipes. You don’t flush anything except toilet paper; you don’t put eggshells, stringy vegetables, or oils down the sink in the kitchen; and you make sure to have screens on all your drains. But have you thought of everything in order to help stop a costly sewer line repair?

Look outside because you may be forgetting the most detrimental problem of all: tree roots.

Trees crave nutrients and their roots are where they absorb nutrients through, so the tip of the tree root is always “seeking” and “reaching toward” a source of moisture and nutrients and they are very attracted to a leaking sewer line that needs repair.

Usually, tree roots will leave strong, unbroken sewer lines alone. They normally only disturb leaking, split, or damaged lines buried within the top 24 inches of the ground. When this takes place the first damage not only becomes worse, the tree roots can completely clog the sewer pipes and decrease the water flow, leaving you with overflows and possibly flooding your home or building.

But what can you do? Call a sewer line repair company in Clearwater.

A sewer line repair will usually be easier (and cost less) than a completely broken pipe, so if you suspect a problem with your sewer line, especially if you feel that tree roots are getting into the pipe, call Midway Services right away.

Sewer line repair experts at Midway Services will use a sewer inspection camera to verify whether or not the sewer line has a tree root worry. Once the issue has been confirmed, our sewer line repair technician will discuss all of your options with you and help you decide the best plan, whether that’s a trenchless sewer line replacement or just getting rid of the tree roots.

Note, faster growing trees, such as poplar, oak, or basswood, may cause more issues because they grow more rapidly. Slower growing trees are a better choice, but they still need to be removed and another tree replanted every six to ten years to avoid their roots from causing a problem. Also, remember to plant trees away from your sewer lines, that way you can help stop damage and prevent those pesky (and sometimes expensive) sewer line repairs. If you’re not confident where your sewer lines are, ask Midway Services to flag the path of the sewer pipes.

So if you think your tree roots have entered your sewer line or you have any plumbing problems at all, call Midway Services in Clearwater and we are happy to come out and see if you need a sewer line repair or do a seasonal plumbing maintenance to make sure your pipes are in tip-top shape.