How Trees Can Destroy Your Home's Sewer Line

You try to be cautious and make sure you don’t put anything down the drain that would jam your pipes. You don’t flush anything but toilet paper; you don’t put eggshells, meat, or oils down the sink in the kitchen; and you make sure to have filters on all your drains. But have you thought of everything in order to prevent a high-priced sewer line repair?

Check outside because you may be forgetting the most damaging problem of all: tree roots.

Trees want nutrients and their roots are how they get it, so the tip of the tree root is always “seeking” and “reaching to” a source of moisture and nutrients and they are enticed by a leaking sewer line that requires repair.

Usually, tree roots will leave healthy, undamaged sewer lines alone. They normally only disturb leaking, cracked, or damaged lines buried within the top 24 inches of the dirt. When this occurs the initial damage does not only get worse, the tree roots can actually clog the sewer lines and reduce the water flow, leaving you with overflows and possibly flooding your home or building.

But what should you do? Call a sewer line repair expert in Houston.

A sewer line repair will most likely be easier (and cost less) than a burst pipe, so if you think there is an issue with your sewer line, especially if you feel that tree roots are making their way into the pipe, call Church Services as soon as possible.

Sewer line repair experts at Church Services will use a sewer inspection camera to verify whether or not the pipe has a tree root issue. Once the problem has been determined, our sewer line repair technician will review all of your options with you and help you decide the best plan, whether that’s a trenchless sewer line replacement or just removing the tree roots.

Note, faster growing trees, such as ash, locust, or basswood, may cause more trouble because they grow faster. Slower growing trees are a better alternative, but they still need to be swapped out every eight to ten years to avoid their roots from becoming an issue. Also, remember to plant trees a good distance from your sewer lines, that way you can help prevent damage and prevent those pesky (and sometimes costly) sewer line repairs. If you’re unsure where your sewer lines are, ask Church Services to flag the path of the sewer pipes.

So if you think your tree roots have entered your sewer line or you have any plumbing needs at all, call Church Services in Houston and we are happy to come to your home and see if you need a sewer line repair or do a seasonal plumbing maintenance to make sure your pipes are good to go.