It is a pretty common issue for tree roots to invade your underground pipes and block them, potentially causing a range of issues such as water draining slowly from sinks and showers to a pretty awful stench inside your home. If you think you may have tree roots blocking your drains and pipes it is something that needs investigating straight away.
Tree roots seek out water and nutrients in the soil so if you have a leak in your pipes, even a really small one, the roots will find it. Eventually the root system will continue to grow around your pipes and maybe even break through the pipe, continuing to spread until there is a noticeable blockage.
How Do You Know it is Tree Roots Blocking Drains?
There are some common signs you are likely to notice that indicate you have tree root invasion in your pipes:
Basins & Showers Are Slow to Drain
One of the first signs of a blockage is that sinks, showers and baths are slower to drain than usual. With less space to flow through the pipe, water will take longer to disappear down the plug hole.
Sudden Low Water Pressure
A sudden loss of water pressure from your taps, or a much slower flow of water generally means that there is something blocking the pipes and stopping water from flowing at its usual rate.
Smelly Drains
Tree roots in a sewer line will catch all sorts of waste and build up over time, so the smell will end up coming up through the drains and into your home.
Gurgling Noises Coming from Your Drains
Different from the normal gurgling of your bath water draining, there may be noisy gurgling coming from drains when you empty a basin or flush the toilet. Again, this is caused by the water not being able to flow freely down the drain and along the pipes.
Backed-Up Toilet
Tree roots in a toilet drain can catch toilet paper and other debris that is flushed, and therefore the blockage will worsen a lot quicker and back up your toilet.
If you notice any of these things, get onto fixing this issue immediately, before the roots cause an even larger blockage and severely damage your pipes. Don’t try to tackle this job on your own as it is definitely something you need the specialist skills of drain professionals for.
The Drain Man knows the best way to clear roots from sewer lines and stormwater pipes. They have over 30 years’ experience and all the essential specialist equipment to unblock your drains quickly and effectively.
The Steps for Clearing Roots from Pipes
When you make the call to your specialist drain company they will obtain as much information as you can provide about the blockage. They will ask questions about the symptoms, get some details about your property and how long the problem has been occurring.
A specialist will then visit your home to thoroughly assess the situation and decide how to investigate further.
The next step is to inspect and clear the blocked parts of the drains and pipes. Clearing tree roots from drains is carried out using a high-pressure water jet and maybe also a specific drain clearing machine. The cleaning allows for cameras to be passed into the drain for a visual of what the damage is and determine the best solution going forward.
You will be given advice on how to reduce future blockages and if necessary, the information about any repairs required or pipe replacement.
How to Prevent Tree Roots Blocking Drains
When your pipes have been cleared the last thing you want is the same issue to happen again. Keep in mind that tree roots will continue to grow so they will continue to block your drains if you have broken pipes.
A fantastic option to prevent blockage from tree roots again is to have your pipes relined. This process doesn’t require any digging so there is minimal disruption. The pipes are thoroughly cleaned out and then a unique liner is put inside your existing pipes to seal them from the inside. Once the liner cures the pipes will be even stronger and more watertight than they were when they were new.
There are some simple steps you can take to help prevent root intrusion if your pipes are in reasonable or good condition:
● Have your pipes checked regularly, especially the ones that have caused problems. Repair or replace them when necessary to ensure they are in good condition and therefore not as susceptible to tree roots getting inside.
● Avoid planting large trees with an aggressive root system too close to your house. Speak with your nursery and find the best trees for your property.
● Don’t plant any trees or large shrubs too closely to where your pipes are running.
● Regular clearing of your gutters must be on your home maintenance list too as any debris that lands on your roof can flow down gutters and into downpipes, contributing further to blockages.
The Drain Man are the experts at clearing roots from drains and their team can quickly unblock your pipes, so your water is flowing freely again. Don’t let your blocked drains get worse! Call today or contact them online.
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