How to Prevent Tree Roots From Ruining Your Sewer Line

With spring finally underway, the growing season has arrived and will provide us with beautiful plants and flowers. Unfortunately, the beauty of nature can affect our homes in negative (and expensive) ways. Roots from trees and shrubs will begin to grow again, many of which can infiltrate and damage underground sewer lines.

Plant Smart Before you plant any new trees and shrubs on your property, know where the sewer lines run on your property. By knowing exactly where they are, you can sidestep planting trees and shrubs too close to them and avoid the problem of root infiltration altogether. However, if your green thumb is telling you to plant near a sewer line, pick a plant that has small roots that won’t extend far once it has matured.

Symptoms Clogs can occur from time to time for a multitude of reasons. However, if the drains in your home clog on a regular basis, there’s a bigger problem that needs to be addressed. When roots infiltrate a sewer line, they can cause blockages that will lead to clogs and slow-flowing drains. A telltale sign that a tree root is causing these clogs is to put your ear to the drain and listen for a gurgling or bubbling sound.

Calling in the Pros If all of the warning signs from above are present in your home, a plumber will be needed to inspect the drains and sewer lines. Upon a professional inspection, the plumber will be able to recommend the proper course of action on how to remove the blockage. If it turns out to be a tree root causing the blockage, an assessment will need to be done to see if the sewer line will need full replacement.

Having a tree root pierce through a sewer line can give homeowners a headache they surely don’t need. When your drains are clogging all too frequently, contact the plumbers at Lancaster Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at (717) 207-8198.