Tree Root Removal: How a Plumber Kills the Roots in Your Sewer Pipe

Do you have a tree in your yard that you are worried about? Roots from trees can cause serious damage to your plumbing system. If you are concerned about tree roots invading your pipes, read on!

What Are Signs of Roots Affecting Your Pipes?

If you are seeing any of the following signs, it means that tree roots are affecting your pipes:

• Can you hear gurgling noises coming from your drains?
• Are your drains experiencing slow drainage or clogs?
• Is wastewater backing up into your sinks, toilets, or showers?
• Are foul odors coming from your drains?

If you are experiencing any of these problems, tree roots are likely the cause.

A Widespread Issue

In the USA sewer pipe root invasion is most common in the Pacific Northwest, California, the Southwest, and the Northeast. This is believed to be caused by expansive tree root systems in those regions. The types of pipes can also relate to the risk of tree root infiltration. Clay and concrete pipes are more susceptible to tree root damage than plastic or metal pipes. This is because clay and concrete pipes are more porous and allow tree roots to grow into the pipe. Plastic and metal pipes are less porous and do not allow tree roots to penetrate as easily.

Homeowners in wooded areas are at higher risk of root invasion and should have tree roots removed every few years to prevent damage. They might also consider changing over to plastic or metal pipes. The best plastic and metal pipes to prevent root invasion are PVC and cast iron pipes. They last for an average of 50 years without root infiltration.

Pests Can Exploit Tree Root Invasion

In addition to causing plumbing problems, tree roots can also provide a bridge for pests to invade your home. One such pest is the sewer roach, which can easily access your home through tree root infiltration in your sewer line. Sewer roaches are about ½ inch long and black or dark brown in color. They live in sewers and wet, dark places. Once inside the home, they can be very difficult to get rid of. They are known to cause asthma and other respiratory problems in people who are exposed to them. Preventing tree root infiltration is not only important for your plumbing, but also the health and safety of your family!

If you see any signs of sewer roaches in your home, it is likely that tree roots are the cause. Getting rid of the tree roots before they provide access to sewer roaches is a good financial idea as well. Based on our quick research, pest control companies charge an average of $200 to get rid of sewer roaches. If you can prevent the tree roots from getting into your pipes in the first place, you will save yourself a lot of money and a headache! As if the health risks and costs of getting rid of these pests isn’t bad enough. They’re pretty alarming too. Yep, these bottom-dwelling denizens have the ability to unfurl their long wings on their backs and fly for a few meters at least. Although they typically flee when discovered, there’s a chance they’ll charge straight toward you!

Can Tree Roots Get Into Your Pipes or Sewer Lines?

Yes, tree roots can definitely get into your pipes or sewer lines. In fact, tree roots are attracted to the moisture and nutrients in plumbing systems. If you live in a heavily wooded area it increases the chances of tree roots invading your pipes. Once tree roots invade your pipes or sewer lines, they can cause serious damage. They can clog your drains and sewers, leading to backed-up water and wastewater. The roots of trees can also cause structural damage to your pipes and sewer lines.

It is important to address tree root invasion as soon as possible to avoid further damage. If root invasion is not tackled quickly, it can lead to expensive repairs and have additional effects such as damage to your home’s foundation, flooding, and pest infestations. If you need to replace sewer lines, replacement pipes can cost up to $15,000.

How Do Roots Get Into Your Sewer Lines?

There are a few ways that tree roots can get into your sewer lines:

• Roots from trees in your yard can grow directly into your sewer lines.
• Roots from neighboring trees on other people’s land can invade your pipes and sewer lines.
• Broken or cracked pipes can allow (and even encourage) tree roots to enter your system.
• Improperly installed plumbing systems can also be susceptible to tree root invasion.
• Common trees that cause plumbing system root invasion include oak, elm, and maple trees.
• Japanese Knotweed

Can You Remove Tree Roots Without Using a Professional?

Wondering how to remove tree roots yourself? Removing the roots of trees from your plumbing system is possible without using a professional, but it can be difficult and dangerous. You would need to use a shovel or root saw to cut the roots away from the pipe. We strongly advise against it. If you are not experienced in tree root removal, it is best to leave this task to the professionals. They have the tools and expertise needed to safely remove tree roots from your pipes and sewer lines.

The best way to remove tree roots from your sewer line is through the use of electric sewer machine with a full-size cutting head. It is not only the most effective and safe way to remove tree roots from your plumbing system. It also results in less disruption to your yard, there’s no need to dig trenches or disrupt the system on the same scale as cleaning properly with some other methods.

Each Procedure Type Takes A Different Amount Of Time

Proper drain cleaning is generally a fairly quick process, but it can take longer if there are a lot of tree roots to remove. It usually takes around an hour to complete proper drain cleaning.

Excavation is the most time-consuming method of removing tree roots. It usually takes around two to three days to excavate tree roots from a plumbing system. It can also have knock-on effects and impact the health of your tree. That’s why we always recommend proper drain cleaning as our preferred technique for tree-removing roots and fixing plumbing systems. It’s the quickest, most effective way to get the job done right.

Can All Plumbers Remove Roots From Pipes and Sewer Lines?

Not all plumbers are equipped to remove tree roots from pipes and sewer lines.

It is important to choose a plumber who has experience in tree root removal. Here at Atomic Plumbing, we have the tools and expertise needed to safely remove the tree roots from your plumbing system. If you are experiencing problems with tree roots, be sure to contact a professional plumber. They will be able to assess the situation and recommend the best course of action for removing the tree roots.

There are health risks associated with damaged sewerage pipes. Not only can tree roots cause sewage to back up into your home, but they can also contaminate the water supply.

Groundwater can also be contaminated if the tree roots are not removed properly. Contaminated water and groundwater can cause a variety of health problems, such as skin irritations, respiratory problems, and gastrointestinal issues. If water is rising from the ground, bubbling up in the sink, or there is an unusual smell coming from your drain, act fast. Contaminated water can contain a host of harmful bacteria and viruses. For example, E. coli and MRSA can be found in sewage water.

Don’t put yourself or your family at risk, contact a professional plumber if you are experiencing problems with tree roots. They will be able to safely remove the tree roots and restore your plumbing system to working order.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Root Removal From Pipes or Sewer Lines?

It depends on your home owner’s insurance policy. Some policies will cover the cost of tree root removal from pipes or sewer lines. Other policies will not cover this type of damage. It is important to check with your insurance company to see if they will cover the cost of tree root removal. If you are experiencing problems with tree roots, be sure to contact a professional plumber like us. They will be able to assess the situation and recommend the best course of action for removing the tree roots. They may also be able to help you file a claim with your insurance company.

Do You Love Your Trees? We Do Too

Sometimes our clients are upset about the situation because they are worried their trees will have to be destroyed to remedy the issue. We’re delighted to say that’s often not the case.

Ask us if we love beautiful old trees and our answer is always the same. Of course, we do!

Trees are a crucial part of our ecosystem and provide many benefits to our community.

That’s why we always recommend tree root removal as a last resort. We hate to see trees removed, but when it becomes necessary, we want to make sure it is done safely and effectively.

Some plumbers and other contractors will not be as sensitive about your yard and plants as we are. Chemicals that they want to use to solve the issue could get into your groundwater and kill your prized flowers or contaminate your vegetable plot.

We’re different. We care.

If you’re dealing with tree roots in your plumbing, give us a call. We’ll take care of everything for you, from assessing the situation to removing the tree roots and restoring your plumbing system to working order. We promise to be kind to your trees too if you ask us to.

Something reassuring to remember about your trees is that we often think of trees as anatomically similar to a piece of broccoli. However, that’s not strictly true. The shape of a tree is much more like a weight-lifting dumbbell. The root system below ground mirrors what we can see above ground. In 99% of cases, it’s perfectly possible to fix tree root invasion negatively affecting your pipes without having to kill the tree.

Tree Root Invasion Prevention Tips

In order to prevent tree root invasion from happening again in your pipes, there are a few things you can do:

• Make sure the trees around your home are properly trimmed and maintained.
• If you have a tree that is close to your house or plumbing system, consider having it removed.
• Regularly inspect your plumbing system for any signs of tree root invasion.

If you do suspect there are tree roots in your pipes, call a professional plumber right away to remove them. Prevention is always the best solution when it comes to tree roots in your plumbing system. By following these tips, you can help reduce the chances of having this problem occur. However, if tree roots do invade your pipes, don’t hesitate to call a professional plumber for help. The sooner the issue is assessed the sooner it can be fixed and the cheaper the work will be.

What Is the Average Cost of Removing Roots?

It depends on the size of the tree and the extent of the damage. The cost of tree root removal can range from $100 to $2000 or more. It is important to contact a skilled and experienced plumber to assess the situation and get an estimate for removing the tree roots.

Do You Still Have Questions About Tree Root Removal?

Tree root removal is a serious problem. It’s critical to get it fixed as soon as possible because tree roots can wreak havoc on your system and cause backups. You could try digging out the tree roots with a shovel or saw, but it’s usually preferable to hire someone who specializes in this sort of thing. Some previous customers who tried to resolve the issue themselves actually made it worse! So, they ended up calling us in the end anyway. Call us today and we’ll help you to get your plumbing system back in working order.