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Drain Services: Which Trees Cause the Most Pipe Damage?

Shrub and tree roots grow towards small cracks in sewer lines in search of oxygen and nutrients. Once it penetrates a hairline crack, it quickly pushes the crack wider and continues to grow inside the pipe obstructing flow and resulting in blockages. If left unchecked, roots in pipes can eventually cause the pipe to collapse, causing serious problems in the plumbing system.

Sewage leaks are unsanitary and can lead to health problems if it penetrates small cracks in the potable water system. Repairing the damage can cost a lot of money, depending on the severity of the issue. That's why it's best to prevent roots in pipes and sewers by regularly maintaining the sewers and pipes, and by taking precautionary measures when planning your landscaping activities.

Preventing Roots in Pipes With Smart Landscaping

Do you know where your pipes are located? If not, you can speak to your local municipality, or call Anta Plumbing to help you determine where your underground utilities are. Your next step is to create a barrier between the sewer lines and the trees by means of slow-release chemicals (potassium hydroxide or copper sulfate), or wood or metal barriers that can be buried vertically next to your sewer lines.

Horticulture: Which trees do the most damage to your sewers?

Knowing which trees to plant and which to avoid, can help save your sewers. Some of the most beautiful trees are, unfortunately, bad for your sewers. But that doesn't mean you need to avoid them completely. Speak to one of our master plumbers or a horticulture expert for some tips about how you can incorporate it into your garden in a way that minimizes the damage.

Trees that cause the most damage:

● Birch trees
● Willows
● Elm trees
● Sycamore trees
● Aspen Trees
● Oak and fig trees
● Maple trees

Plumbing-friendly trees that pose little to no risk to your underground sewer system, include:

● Magnolias
● Mediterranean fan palms
● Sabal palmetto
● Certain cedars and cypress trees
● Wafer ash
● and many species of fruit trees.

If you have to repipe and put root barriers in place, you may as well reconsider the piping material of your underground pipes while you're at it. Certain types of pipe are better able to withstand roots and the elements than others. PVC piping and steel pipes are the most durable, while cured-in-place piping doesn't have many joints or cracks that allow roots to penetrate.

Cast iron, clay, and concrete pipes are most vulnerable to roots, and they degrade significantly with use. It is more cost-effective in the long term to replace these pipes entirely, whether you opt for trenching, or the more modern no-dig pipe bursting technique. The latter method is most effective as a long-term solution to tree root intrusions.

When you call Anta Plumbing for a tree root remediation, we will first clear the roots out of your sewer line before coating the inner pipe walls with epoxy resin. After the curing process, you will have pipes that are as good as new, except, they will be much less prone to root intrusions.

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Written by Anta

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