Because pipes contain oxygen, water and other elements that roots typically seek out, they can become a true watering hole for the roots. The vapors contained within plumbing pipes over time escape to the soils surrounding them, causing roots to grow inward toward the moisture present in the pipes. Often times roots are able to make their way into the pipes by way of cracks or small holes and continue their growth, expanding the hole or crack in the pipe and causing even greater problems such as clogging or overflows over time. With that said, the team here at Steve Mull Plumbing wants to share some important facts on protecting plumbing pipes in your home.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PIPES FROM TREE ROOTS AND AVOID COSTLY PROBLEMS
Mechanical auger – For starters, we suggest removing tree roots from your plumbing pipes by utilizing a mechanical auger. The auger has a spiral head that rotates so that when you snake it into your plumbing pipes it actually shears or cuts the roots that have made their way into your pipes. This is a preliminary first step in resolving the issue and is definitely not a permanent solution to the ongoing problem.
The auger will surely cut away the roots, but it does not kill them off completely. With that said, the roots will again, over time, grow back within your pipes. If the issue is not at a high severity level and the roots are minimal, this may be something you can perform time and time again to prevent the problem from becoming more severe.
Chemical solutions – Some chemicals, such as copper sulfate, or even RootX can be used to kill off the tree roots in your pipes without actually harming or damaging the tree itself. Simply pour a cup of crystals into your toilet and flush. Remember that chemicals are toxic, so be sure to avoid direct contact with the chemicals yourself. The chemicals will find their way into the surrounding soil, which cause the roots to die before they are able to get into your plumbing pipes.
Hydro Jetter – Though quite costly, a hydro jetter is the most surefire way of resolving tree root issues. The device sends very high-pressure levels of water along with its spiral tip into your plumbing pipes which immediately shears away the roots and forces them out of your plumbing system.
Dig up and remove the tree roots – Digging up the roots is probably the least favorite option of all. However, if your plumbing pipes are truly damaged to the extreme, this is the only surefire fix it for the problem. When the plumbing pipes are severely damaged, the overall system will need to be replaced. That is where the professionals here at Steve Mull Plumbing come in. Our qualified plumbers will perform a camera inspection of your plumbing system to identify the worst damage present and its location in order to minimize the amount of digging you will have to do. Once the source of the roots is identified and the ground dug up, the roots can be removed entirely and the problem permanently resolved.
EXPERTS YOU CAN TRUST
Here at Steve Mull Plumbing our team of highly skilled and experienced plumbers and technicians is steadfast in providing all our clients with the highest quality, yet affordable plumbing parts and services this side of the state. We are on hand to tackle all your plumbing problems. For more information on protecting plumbing pipes and systems, reach out to one of our certified experts today. We look forward to serving you and to helping you to maintain a fully functioning plumbing system in your home!
