4 Plumber Tips To Removing Tree Root Intrusions | Hurst, TX
One of the biggest enemies of your plumbing is tree roots. According to a study from the University of Florida, tree roots can grow up to three times the branch spread within only two to three years of planting. This means that the trees that are on your property can easily get into your plumbing. In fact, the tree roots will want to get into the plumbing because they’ll be able to get an endless supply of water to help them grow.
Tree root intrusions, however, are one of the most difficult plumbing problems to tackle. Your Hurst, TX plumber will need to act quickly in order to prevent the problem from worsening. Although you won’t be doing any of the repairs yourself, it’s still a good idea to gain a better understanding of the entire process.
#1. Identify the Type of Roots That Are in the Plumbing
One of the first things that your plumber in Hurst, TX will want to do is to identify the type of roots that are in your plumbing and where they come from. This can have an effect on how the repairs will go. Your plumber will want to figure out how thick the roots are and how long they have been growing. They may even try to determine the exact plant where the roots are coming from. The roots will grow back with time, so if you’re looking for a more permanent solution, you might want to consider getting rid of the plants that are causing the problem. If the roots come from large trees, you’ll want to speak with an arborist to see how you can remove the tree. However, if the roots come from small shrubs or bushes nearby, you can probably get rid of these plants by yourself.
Some of the finer roots that look like meshes are incredibly difficult to get rid of. They will bunch together and create some type of accumulate that resembles slush. On the other hand, some of the larger tree roots are actually easier to remove. Unlike the smaller tree roots, they do not have the opportunity to bunch together and become a huge issue.
#2. Figure Out the Location
Rather than try to figure out where the tree root intrusion is through guesswork. The plumber will want to use some type of tool that can measure how far along the plumbing their camera has gone. They’ll also take this opportunity to use landmarks in the plumbing to confirm the location of the blockage. This makes it incredibly easy for the plumbers to figure out which parts of the plumbing need to be removed.
The plumbers may need to consider whether they need to move anything above ground in order to get to the plumbing if they plan on drilling downwards or replacing that section of the plumbing because it is too damaged. They’ll consider how accessible the roots are as well. Using a combination of these factors, they’ll be able to come up with a reasonable and feasible plan.
#3. Take It One Step at a Time
Tree roots are notoriously difficult to remove. Most professionals won’t recommend trying to remove the entire thing in one-go, as this can put quite a lot of strain and pressure on the equipment. It might also be difficult to get the roots out, as they might cling onto the sides as well.
The best method is to remove small parts of the roots little by little using different types of specialized equipment and tools. How you remove the roots will also depend on the type of equipment that you have. For example, if you are using a traditional drain machine, it’s better to remove several inches of the roots at a time; however, if you have a powerful jetter, you can easily punch through the roots with ease.
#4. Think of a Long-Term Plan
As mentioned above, getting rid of the tree roots may not necessarily be a permanent fix. With time, roots from the same plant or from surrounding bushes and trees will still make their way to the plumbing and attempt to get inside. As a result, you might have to call a professional to deal with tree root intrusions in several years again. If the roots grow quickly, you might have to call a plumbing company within several months.
Due to this reason, it’s vital that you sit down and think of a long-term plan. This might be anything from removing the plants and bushes that are nearby to prevent the roots from entering the plumbing again. Or, it might involve installing insulation on the plumbing, so that it becomes much more difficult for any surrounding roots to make their way into the plumbing system. Many professionals will recommend a combination of both solutions. If you don’t want to get rid of the plants nearby, you can always try to relocate them.
Try to make an effort to prevent this from happening again in the future, as tree root intrusion repairs can be rather costly. If you’re constantly dealing with this problem, plumbing that isn’t even located at the site of the intrusion may also become damaged.
Schedule an Appointment with Us!
When dealing with tree root intrusions, it’s best to act as quickly as possible. The longer that you wait, the more that the tree roots will intrude into the plumbing and the more difficult it will be for a plumber to get rid of the tree roots. If you’re looking for a plumber in Hurst, TX to deal with tree root intrusions, give us a call at 469-789-1292 or schedule an appointment online!
Tioga Plumbing & Electric has served the area for more than 60 years. We offer emergency plumbing services 24/7, 365 days a year. Our licensed plumbers have tackled all types of plumbing problems, from clogged drains to noisy plumbing to tree root intrusions, and will be able to handle and deal with any problem that you may throw our way!
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