Trees are important to our health and general wellbeing with their oxygen giving properties, not to mention their aesthetic appeal. However, they can pose a risk to your plumbing. Tree roots can get into your pipework and cause serious blockages. This is one of the most common plumbing problems. Stay ahead of the game and learn what you can do to reduce and prevent it.
How Do Trees Get into Pipework?
Trees are designed to seek out moisture and nutrients and there is an abundance of moisture and nutrients inside your underground pipework. Additionally, there is notable condensation around the outside of your underground pipework too. This entices trees to head both towards and inside your pipework. During spring and autumn when trees grow rapidly there is a higher demand to seek out moisture and nutrients. This often results in blockages to your pipes. Depending on the type of tree and its growth rate it can cause severe blockages. To further exacerbate the problem, many properties in Australia have clay piping which deteriorates at a faster rate than PVC piping. This increases moisture and nutrients which becomes an attractant for tree roots.
How to Spot a Tree Root Problem?
Considering that its somewhat a sneaky process in that it takes place under the ground, most property owners don’t even realise they have a tree root problem. Below are common warning signs to be aware of. If you notice any of these, be sure to give your plumber a call right away.
Slow Drains and Gurgling Toilets
If you hear a gurgling noise when flushing the toilet, or your drains continue to move slowly there’s a high chance that you have tree roots in your pipework. The obstruction causes the flow of water to slow down dramatically. As a result, slow drains and gurgling toilets are the symptoms.
Unpleasant Smells
If tree roots are obstructing part of your pipework, you may notice unpleasant smells around different sections of your property. Either inside or outside or both. A strong indicator of this is a rotten egg smell and just unpleasant smells around your plumbing fixtures like taps and sinks.
Enhanced Tree Growth
Faster than average tree growth can be a sign of tree root obstruction in your pipework. If you notice that one or more of your trees is growing much faster than the others on your property, or that it’s greener than the others, there’s a good chance that it’s receiving more moisture and nutrients.
Visible Sink Holes
If a sink hole is forming in the yard around your property this could very well be due to a tree root problem. When roots grow into your plumbing, they cause water to start leaking out into the yard creating soft spots. These soft spots eventually sink in, becoming ‘sink holes.’
Root Control
Jetting and using a special camera to inspect the pipelines is a form of maintenance to clear blockages, remove the roots and avoid costly dig ups and repairs. A tree root obstruction is a serious problem, and you must hire professionals to clear it away as soon as possible. It’s necessary for your property to function properly and to avoid further serious problems later.
If you suspect you have tree root damage contact our expert plumbing experts at O’Neill & Brown Plumbing today.
