TREE ROOTS & SEWER LINE INTRUSION

Transcription

1 TREE ROOTS & SEWER LINE INTRUSION How to Prevent, Diagnose, & Correct Sewer Line Problems Associated with Tree Root Intrusion Keith S. Richey Landscape Architecture Student Clemson University

2 Tutorial Overview Introduction What is your sewer line? What does it do? Identify and recognize causes of root intrusion into sewer pipes Why do roots grow into pipes? What types of pipes foster root intrusion? How to prevent root intrusion into sewer lines Right plant, right place - thoughtful placement of trees Trees most likely to cause pipe damage How to diagnose a root-caused plumbing problem Plumbing blockages Video diagnosis How to control root growth into sewer lines Chemical control Mechanical control Removal of intrusive trees Replacement of sewer line uploads/2012/10/tall-tree-copy.jpg

3 Introduction A vital part of your home s plumbing system is your sewer line. This is the main pipe that carries sewer waste from your home to the city sewer main. Often times, this sewer line can be impeded by tree roots that grow into the pipes, leading to blockages and sewer backups. This how-to presentation will help you prevent, diagnose, and control sewer line problems caused by tree roots. Tree roots can cause costly damage and backups in homes, if the clogged sewer line is on private property, it is the homeowners responsibility to get it fixed! For individual homeowners, sewer repair costs due to tree root damage can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars.

4 Causes of Root Intrusion into Pipes WHY DO TREE ROOTS GROW INTO SEWER PIPES? Tree roots absorb nutrients for the growth of the tree. Roots are constantly growing and searching for sources of water and nutrients. Sewer lines carry water which is a source of nutrients for the tree, therefore the roots seek the nutrients that flow inside of the pipe. Roots are powerful growers. They can grow into tight spaces and cracks and easily break apart pipes to access water.

5 Causes of Root Intrusion into Pipes TREE ROOTS + SEWER PROBLEMS WHY DO TREE ROOTS GROW INTO SEWER PIPES? When sewer lines are installed, the soil around the pipe is typically dug out and backfilled, making it looser than surrounding soil. Roots favor growing in this loosened soil around the pipe. Small breaks or leaks in sewer lines allow the roots to enter the walls of the pipe. The roots then rapidly grow inside the pipe, taking in the nutrients from the water flowing through the sewer line. treeroots.jpg

6 Causes of Root Intrusion into Pipes WHAT TYPES OF SEWER LINES FOSTER ROOT INTRUSION? Many older homes have sewer lines made of clay. Clay pipes are the most susceptible to root intrusion due to their fragility and weakness at joints.

7 Causes of Root Intrusion into Pipes WHAT TYPES OF SEWER LINES FOSTER ROOT INTRUSION? Some homes have cast iron sewer lines. Although these pipes are very strong, they can corrode over time, allowing roots to enter. Most newer homes have ABS or PVC sewer lines. These plastic pipes have glued joints. ABS and PVC pipes are the least prone to root intrusion, but it is still possible for roots to enter the pipe if there are cracks or broken joints.

8 Preventing Root Intrusion into Pipes HOW DO YOU PREVENT SEWER LINE PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY START? Know where your sewer line is before you plant! Contact a marking service that can locate and mark the location of your sewer line in your yard if you don t know where it is. Do not plant on top of or too close to the pipe. It could cause potential harm to the pipe in the future.

9 Preventing Root Intrusion into Pipes HOW DO YOU PREVENT SEWER LINE PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY START? Right plant, right place! Ensure a tree has enough room for the root system to grow without coming in contact with pipes. Figure this out BEFORE planting any new trees. Keep in mind, a young tree may be small at first and pose no threat to pipes, but may do so in the future. young-tree-injured-please-help-maul1.jpg

10 Tree Selection and Placement It is possible for any species of tree to cause damage to pipes, but some trees have certain physiological characteristics that make them more likely to intrude into sewer lines. Trees that grow quickly above ground also do so below ground. If you must plant near a pipe, select a tree that is not known to be an aggressive or fast grower /10/1BlockedPipe.jpg

11 Tree Selection and Placement In general, fast growing trees should not be planted near sewer lines. The trees below have comparatively more reports of damage: - Silver and Norway Maple - Sweetgum - River Birch - Cottonwood - Aspen - Sycamore -Some species of Magnolia Plants/Sweetgum/liqsty20.jpg

12 Tree Selection and Placement In general, trees should not be planted near sewer lines, but some trees have shown to have comparatively less reports of damage to pipes. Many fruit trees including Cherry, Plum, & Peach Some evergreens including Cypress

13 Diagnosis of Tree Root Intrusion If your home repeatedly experiences plumbing stoppages, you may have roots impeding your sewer line. If the land surrounding your home is heavily wooded, or large trees are present and are close to the sewer line, a root intrusion is possible.

14 Diagnosis of Tree Root Intrusion Many plumbing companies can verify a root intrusion by inserting a video camera into the sewer line to view the blockage. %202009%20030.JPG

15 Controlling Tree Root Intrusion The best way to control tree root intrusion is to completely remove the entire sewer line, but other options are available such as: Chemical herbicides Mechanical root removal from pipes Sewer line repairs or installation of liner inserts uploads2011/08/1piperelining.jpg

16 Controlling Tree Root Intrusion Many chemical herbicides can be routinely used to kill roots that may be growing inside pipes. This is typically a temporary solution, and will not eradicate the problem completely.

17 Controlling Tree Root Intrusion If a root intrusion has become too severe for herbicides, plumbers resort to snaking the line. A flexible metal auger is inserted into the pipe to mechanically remove the built-up roots. This is a temporary solution as roots will grow back and will need repeated removal. Plumbers_snake_24695.jpg

18 Controlling Tree Root Intrusion The only permanent method to solve a tree root intrusion is to completely remove the damaged pipe. If the problem is very severe, complete removal of the tree may also be necessary, as the excavation of the pipe and removal of roots may have deadly consequences on the tree in the near future. If tree removal is necessary, plant a new tree farther away from the pipe that is known to be less invasive. null/sewer_lines.jpg

19 Sources Cregg, Bert. "When Trees Attack!." WSU Extension- The Garden Professionals. February 28 (2011): 1-3. Web. 3 Apr Cregg, Bert. "Reducing Damage Caused by Tree Roots." Michigan State University Extension. March 14 (2011): 1-2. Web. 3 Apr "Sewer Line Pest Control." Clemson Cooperative Extension. (2012): 1-3. Web. 3Apr