How Tree Roots Can Cause Plumbing Problems in Oceanside CA

Trees are a great way to increase the value and beauty of your Oceanside, CA home. Unfortunately, they also have the potential to inflict real damage to your home’s plumbing. If you’ve been experiencing mysterious clogs, bad odors, and other sewer line issues, your trees could be to blame.

All It Takes is One Small Opening

In addition to support, trees depend on their roots for moisture and nutrients. Your home’s sewer line offers a steady supply of both.

The part of the tree you see growing above ground is only the tip of the iceberg – beneath it lies an extensive root system spreading throughout the surrounding soils. Generally, the larger the tree, the deeper and more complex its root system will be.

Over time, a tree’s root system can penetrate into your home’s sewer line, causing all sorts of problems. One small crack or fissure in the pipe, or a loose-fitting, is all a root requires to invade your sewer line.

With a steady source of moisture and nutrients, the roots quickly grow and expand. The pressure this growth places on the pipe is often more than it can bear. Eventually, the pipe begins to crack and break apart – inviting even more root invasion.

Warning Signs That Your Sewer Line’s Being Invaded by Tree Roots

Here are a few of the warning signs that tree roots may have entered your home’s sewer line:

• Clogged or blocked pipes
• Slow draining tubs, sinks, or bathtubs
• Gurgling sounds from your drains
• Bad odors coming from your drains
• Sinkholes or soft ground on your property
• One area of your property is greener and lusher than others

Repairing a Sewer Line That’s Been Invaded by Tree Roots

Repairing tree root-related sewer line damage is a job best left to a professional plumber. They have a whole range of special tools and equipment designed to stop your tree root invasion. This includes an endoscope – a special camera mounted onto a flexible cable that can be inserted into your pipe – to pinpoint the exact location of the problem. Once they’ve found the cause of the problem they can offer solutions for removing the roots and repairing the damaged pipe.

Mechanical augers or rooters can be used to chop up the roots. Hydro-jetters perform the same job but use high-pressure water. Once the roots have been cleared, pipe repair and replacement can begin.

Preventing Tree Root Invasions

The best way to prevent tree root invasions is by carefully considering where you place your trees. Before you start planting, find out where your home’s sewer, water, power, gas, etc. lines are located. You may want to avoid all trees with deep, extensive root systems, such as oaks and elms, in favor of trees and shrubs that don’t have such widespread root systems.

If you already have trees with invasive root systems on your property and don’t wish to have them removed, you can take steps to make your pipes less attractive to roots. Periodically flushing a half cup of copper sulfate or rock salt down your toilet will give your sewer line a bad taste that tree roots don’t like. (NOTE: Copper sulfate isn’t safe for septic systems.)

Keep an eye on your yard. Sinkholes or soft spots, as well as unusually green or lush spots, could be a sign that your sewer line is being invaded.

Stop the Root Invasion: Call 1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration

If you’ve been experiencing clogs or any of the other symptoms of a sewer line root invasion, contact 1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration without delay. We’ve been providing outstanding plumbing services to home and business owners in Oceanside, CA, and surrounding communities since 2012. Our team of highly experienced plumbers possesses the expertise and equipment to quickly locate the source of any root invasion problem and provide on-the-spot repairs.

Contact 1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration through our website, or call us at 866-437-0205 to schedule a visit from one of our licensed Oceanside, CA plumbers.