Dry Weather and Sewers
You may think of spring and summer as the time when trees flourish, but winter is the season tree roots grow the most. To survive through the winter (and any dry spell throughout the year), trees spend a lot of energy growing roots in search of water and oxygen. It’s also a good time to keep an eye on your sewer lines– if they don’t seem to be draining properly, you may have a tree root problem.
Sewer pipes are magnets for tree roots because they are filled with warm water. When water vapor escapes into the soil near the pipe, it’s like your pipes are screaming, “come and get me!” to those tree roots. The roots can grow along the vapor path and into the cracks in your pipe in search of a sip.
Invasive tree roots can create major problems for pipes. If you suspect tree roots are infiltrating your sewer line, give us a call, and we can help you assess the damage quickly. Depending on the extent of the damage, there are a few ways we can address the problem.
Cut the roots
One of the most common techniques we use is a mechanical auger to clear roots from the sewer line. This is the cheapest, quickest fix, but it doesn’t solve the problem. The roots will eventually grow back.
Use chemicals to kill the roots
To fight the growth of roots we may use copper sulfite, so they don’t grow back
Blast the roots with water
Using a hydro Jetter is a pricier, but effective way to clear the sewer lines. We use this machine to blast water through your pipes at a rate of up to 18 gallons per minute.
Dig up the roots
Sometimes, the damage is too severe to fix without digging up and replacing the sewer line. If this is the case, we can work with you to help make sure roots don’t ruin your pipes in the future.
Worried about root damage? Call Hope Plumbing (317) 641-4673 to have one of our professionals discuss options with you.
Sources: http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/lawn-garden/how-to/a8769/how-to-keep-roots-from-wrecking-your-sewer-line-15248761/
www.lowesforpros.com
http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/stories/how-do-trees-survive-winter