No one ever likes to find that their plumbing has backed up, but it’s especially frustrating when the problem turns out to be in the sewer line. A sewer line clog can form due to mundane things like too much undissolved toilet paper. But another common cause is an invading tree root.
Why Tree Roots Head Toward Sewer Lines
Tree roots can invade the sewer line in your yard and eventually grow large enough to block the flow of waste. But the tree root itself isn’t punching a hole in the side of the pipe. Instead, the root is seeking moisture and nutrition, which it can find in human waste. If the pipe is damaged in any way and leaking wastewater, nearby roots will start growing toward the leak.
Once the root grows close enough to touch the pipe, it will continue growing toward the source of the moisture and nutrition. In other words, it’ll invade the pipe right at the broken section, and it will continue to grow in the pipe. Eventually, the root either grows large enough to block the pipe, or large enough to stop solid waste from flowing down the pipe. That leads to a clog.
Does That Mean You Can’t Have Trees?
You can still have a lot of trees in your yard! The roots have to be close enough to the sewer line to detect minor leaks, so trees planted far away shouldn’t be an issue. Older yards with big trees that have extensive root systems, especially aggressive roots, are the main problem. If you’re planting new trees, look for those that have vertical taproots instead of shallow, spreading root systems. Taproots grow down and not out.
How Does a Sewer Line Become Damaged in the First Place?
Old lines corrode as they age, and lines located in unstable soil can shift and break. Even a tiny gap is enough to let wastewater leak out and attract aggressive roots.
Sewer lines also become damaged when they’re put under excessive pressure. If you have yard work done, and you park some heavy machinery on the ground over the line, the machinery can press down on the soil. That can place pressure on the line, leading to damage if the pressure is too great for the line to bear.
Conclusion
Keep an eye out for unusually lush spots in your lawn or wet soil that never seems to dry. This can only be fixed by a plumber or sewer line specialist, so don’t attempt to dig up the line yourself. Don’t wait, however, because the leak will only grow worse over time, making repairs even more difficult to complete. If you live in Rochester, NY or a surrounding area and need sewer line services, make your first call to Nichols Electric and Plumbing.
