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How to Prevent Root Damage to Sewers

Every year, Anta Plumbing attends to dozens of callouts caused by roots around the sewer and the pipe lines. Sometimes, damages add up to thousands of dollars. By following the tips in this post, you can prevent the problem and save a lot of money.

Tree roots are naturally drawn to sewers and the surrounding pipes, which contain plenty nutrients, water and oxygen. If there's a crack or leak, the roots will infiltrate it, quickly inhibiting the flow of your household waste and causing all sorts of issues. Blockages that lead to broken pipes can cost a lot of money to repair. Sewage leaks can even lead to health problems, as it is unsanitary.

Since tree root damage to sewers is costly to repair, it is best avoided by taking a few precautionary measures when you maintain your pipes and when you decide to plant trees.

Here are some simple, yet effective steps to preventing tree root damage to your sewers:

Step 1 - Prevent Tree Root Damage to Your Sewers: Locate Your Sewer Lines


Before you do any planting or other landscaping, first call Anta Plumbing. We will help you locate your underground utilities, so that you don't plant trees or shrubs with strong root systems near the sewers.

Step 2 - Prevent Tree Root Damage to Your Sewers: Plant Sewer-Friendly Shrubs and Trees


Be smart about the type of plants you include in your landscaping plans, and save on costly repair costs and inconvenience. Try to limit plants around your sewer lines as much as possible, and plant larger trees far away from the sewer lines. Your sewers should not be within easy reach of the roots. If you have to plant trees near sewer lines, opt for small-growing trees with small root balls.

Step 3 - Prevent Tree Root Damage to Your Sewers: Create a Barrier


By creating a barrier between your sewer lines and tree roots, you can discourage it from growing into the sewers. Wood and and metal barriers could be buried between 6-12 inches deeper than the vertically running pipes next to the sewer lines to stop roots from growing into the sewers. Alternatively, you could use slow-release chemicals that will stop the roots without causing any other damage. Popular chemicals used in residential settings include potassium hydroxide or copper sulfate.

Step 4 - Prevent Tree Root Damage to Your Sewers: Know Your Roots


Infrequent drain clogs are normal, and there are various ways to deal with it however, if your drains clog frequently, especially in summer, it could indicate sewer damage from tree roots. Some of the problems caused by sewer damage from roots, include gurgling sounds from the toilet, slow-draining fixtures, overflowing drains, and clogs.

If you notice any of the symptoms of sewer damage, such as gurgling sounds, or frequent clogs, you need to get in touch with Anta Plumbing to do a video sewer inspection using a camera probe to see the type and extent of damage in order to assess the best ways to unclog the drains.

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Written by Anta

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