Did you know that tree root intrusion in sewers is the most common cause of sewer backups? This is especially true in older homes where pipes may be more fragile due to age. If your home has several trees or bushes around it, tree roots can be a real problem. And if your neighbors have plenty of trees too, they could signal a problem for you as well. What many homeowners don’t realize is that cutting down trees may not eliminate their root problem. This is because cutting down a tree only eliminates the tree. Depending on the tree type, its roots can still continue growing underground for several years.
Stages of Tree Root Intrusion in Sewers
Stage 1: Early Intrusion
In this stage, roots creep in your sewer line through holes and cracks in the pipe joints. You most likely will not know this because your sewer system is still flowing pretty freely.
Stage 2: Advanced Intrusion
Nourished by wastewater, the tree roots begin to grow rapidly and become very thick in your pipes. Flushing toilet paper down the toilet is normal. But this toilet paper tangles in the roots, causing a blockage. At this point, you’re experiencing repeated sewer backups that basic sewer rodding is only providing a temporary fix for.
Stage 3: Structural Failure
At this time, sewer pipes weaken significantly and structural damage occurs. Collapsed pipes mean that a permanent solution to your sewer problem is necessary.
Sewer Lining as a Solution
Sewer lining consists of installing a flexible liner on the inside of your old and broken sewer pipes. A hardening resin coats the liner. Once installed, curing begins, resulting in brand new pipes in place of the old ones. Installed through existing cleanouts, the liner contains no seams or joints that allow roots in. Trenchless sewer lining results in a brand-new sewer line, with no destruction to property and no costly restoration fees after!
Our liner comes with a 50 year warranty so it’s an ideal long-term solution to your root problems. You also gain peace of mind knowing you will no longer experience untimely, unhygienic and expensive backups.
Tree roots in your sewer cause issues but don’t cut down all of the trees in your yard just yet. When you suspect tree roots may be the cause of your repeated sewer backups, the best thing to do is to have a sewer video inspection performed. Sewer inspections show the condition of your sewer line and highlight problems such as cracks and breaks in it. It also tells us if there’s roots in the line and just how bad they are. This information allows us to create a customized plan for your trenchless sewer repair and also allows you to make the best decision on how to eliminate your root problem for good.