Spring Growing Can Cause Damage to Pipes

Is Your Plumbing Being Harmed by Your Growing Garden?

With spring upon homeowners, many are plotting and planning how they want their gardens to look this spring and summer. However, some homeowners fail to realize the damaging effects overgrowing gardens can have on their plumbing systems. 

Planting a garden will need to be carefully planned out to avoid any structural, plumbing, or sewer damage, which can occur if the garden overgrows too much. 

Invading Tree Roots

Trees need plenty of room to grow, both above ground and under. Their roots will expand underground as they search for nutrients and water needed to supply their growth. As the roots search for these nutrients, they often happen upon pipes and sewer systems that house water and make their way inside through small cracks or connected pipes. 

Usually, these pipes are not built strong enough to withstand penetration from the roots, so damage to these systems, such as a burst pipe, is likely.

Willow trees, magnolia trees, birch trees, and oak trees are among some of the trees that can cause the most damage to plumbing systems. A good rule of thumb is to leave the same amount of space around the tree as it needs to grow upward. 

How Do Roots Cause Problems?

When roots expand outward in search of nutrients and water, they can penetrate through piping systems and cause obstructions that will slow and sometimes even block the system from working properly. As a result, homeowners may find that their water-based appliances are slow draining or even backing up, causing sewage to flood into their homes. They are also likely to experience low water pressure.

Additionally, roots can cause pipes to crack and, worst-case scenario, to collapse completely, which can cost thousands of dollars to repair. 

Root Obstruction Solutions

The best thing a homeowner can do to prevent root obstruction is to consult with a professional plumber or landscaping company.

There are several ways that a plumber can help fix any already damaged systems or prevent them from occurring in the first place. The method used to fix a damaged pipe will depend on the severity of the damage. 

Hydro-jetting can help if there’s only a slight intrusion of roots. This process can help clear out small blockages of both roots and years of buildup from use. 

However, for more severe cases, a repipe may be necessary through trenchless sewer repair or replacement. If this is the case, a plumber will use pipe bursting to destroy the damaged pipes. This is done by hydraulically inserting a cone through the lines to separate the damaged pipes. Once this step is complete, newer pipes are pulled into place. These pipes are usually HDPE, high-density polyethylene, one of the strongest materials on the market.

Before it gets to the point where repiping is needed, homeowners can take a few preventive measures to help protect their piping systems. These measures include planting trees and shrubbery away from water and sewer lines, creating root barriers between trees and pipes using chemical growth inhibitors or barricades made from wood or metal, and planting slow-growing plants, which often do not have such a vast root system. 

About Allore’s Plumbing Services LLC 

Allore’s Plumbing is a family-owned and operated business that takes pride in being Treasure Coast’s top state-certified and licensed plumbers. They promise reliable and professional services in Stuart, FL, and throughout Martin County, and have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Contact them today for help with burst pipe repair or repiping service. 

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