Tree roots growing into sewer pipes is a common and expensive problem. This occurs when there is a crack in the pipes and water vapor leaks into the soil. Any trees nearby will sense the water vapor and their roots will grow toward it. Eventually they make their way into the pipe, where they find enough oxygen, water and nutrients to thrive. The roots grow and expand, creating blockage and backups and spilling harmful waste into homes and businesses. Keeping roots from growing into the pipe is difficult, but with attention and care it can be done effectively. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Assess the situation. Know where sewer lines are placed around your home and business. Look at the trees in the area and research their root structures and growing pace. Generally, roots will grow up to 2.5 times the height of the tree, but with some trees the roots can be five to seven times their height.
2. Use chemicals to kill root growth for a temporary fix. Pour drain-cleaning products with copper sulfate down the drains in the spring and fall. According to the Washington State Department of Agriculture, this option is not always effective and sometimes just causes systemic damage to the tree. A more effective chemical option is trifluralin. This is a fabric or rubber filled with time-release pellets of trifluralin, which you can place between the pipes and tree roots.
3. Replace or line the pipes as soon as possible to keep water and nutrients from escaping. Have maintenance done on the pipes to prevent any hairline cracks. This can be done with a total replacement of the old pipes with new, airtight pipes or pipe lining. These processes can be expensive but are the only way to keep tree roots out of sewer pipes for good.
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