One of the most common reasons for clogged plumbing is tree root intrusion. This usually happens if you have a lot of trees and bushes around your home. Nearby trees from neighbors can also have a huge impact on your plumbing if they are close enough. It’s incredible how far roots can grow.
Trees and plants naturally need water. Tree roots have ‘sensors’ on them that cause them to grow toward the water. If there is a leak in your plumbing, the tree roots will grow quickly toward it. Once they’ve entered your plumbing, they will grow inside the pipes. They basically get an endless supply of water. It’s good for the trees but bad for you.
If you are dealing with tree root intrusions, you should call a plumber in Irving, TX for help. This isn’t something that you should try to DIY by yourself. Depending on the thickness and length of roots that have intruded into your plumbing, the cleaning process can be quite complicated and tricky. In some cases, the plumber might even recommend that you replace certain sections of the plumbing, as tree root intrusions can cause a lot of damage.
How Are Tree Root Intrusions Diagnosed?
How do you know if a clog is caused by a tree root intrusion or something else? Maybe, the problem lies in something else that has been flushed down the drain, like starchy foods or sanitary napkins.
The problem is that it is impossible to really know what is causing the obstruction unless you contact a plumber in Irving, TX. A plumber can snake a video camera down the plumbing. With that, they can figure out where the obstruction is located, and get a good idea of how bad the tree root intrusion problem is. They might also provide you with some details as to which plant may be causing the problem due to proximity or past experience.
How to Treat Tree Root Intrusions
The solution will likely depend on the severity of the situation. If there are only a few tree roots inside the plumbing (in which case you would have experienced low water pressure rather than a complete clog), we would usually recommend that you use either an auger or a hydrojet to get rid of the roots. You’ll want to rely on a plumber to help you with either method. If you are not careful, you could end up damaging your entire plumbing.
In some severe cases, the entire plumbing may be clogged by tree roots. If that’s the case, a plumber will need to perform a thorough diagnosis to see what solution will be most effective. We might recommend that you use hydrojetting to slowly break off chunks of the tree roots. Or, we might recommend that you let us go in and replace an entire section.
For more severe cases, hydrojetting is definitely a more effective solution than using a snake auger. The high-pressure water can easily cut into the roots and break them apart. It can also clean the inside of the pipes.
Once the tree roots are removed, a plumber will need to patch up the location where the tree roots entered and reinforce it. We will also recommend that you get rid of the tree roots nearby.
Where Do Tree Roots Enter From?
In order to properly fix a tree root intrusion, you need to not only get the tree roots out of your plumbing, but also make sure that you repair the entrance where it entered. Leaks in your plumbing are most likely what’s causing you to experience this problem.
Tree roots most often enter the plumbing through leaking joints, deteriorated seals, blocked pipes, failed or dislodged joints and other areas with previous damage. If the plumbing was not already compromised, it would not be easy for the tree roots to enter. Tree roots rarely crack into a properly installed and well-maintained plumbing system, especially if it’s new.
However, with time, the plumbing will start to deteriorate. When that happens, it gives the tree roots an opportunity to enter the system. Knowing not only where these vulnerabilities are and whether there are any potential vulnerabilities is crucial. You can ask our plumber to complete a thorough evaluation and inspection. We’ll take a look at your plumbing and give you some ideas on how to reinforce it.
We can not only detect where the tree roots entered from, but also take a look at your plumbing to get a better idea as to whether there are other areas where tree roots may intrude in the future. We can reinforce these areas ahead of time, so you won’t have to worry about tree root intrusions in the future. Being proactive and taking action ahead of time can save you a lot of headaches and worries.
We Can Help You with All Your Plumbing Needs
It can be incredibly difficult to deal with plumbing problems yourself. We definitely do not recommend it, as subpar plumbing work and rookie mistakes can lead to devastating results. The last thing that you want to do is deal with water damage and other issues like that.
If you are looking for a plumber in Irving, TX, you should contact Tioga Plumbing & Electric as soon as possible. We are always here to provide prompt services and reliable results. You can trust that we always have your back and that we’ll go out of our way to ensure that you get the best results possible. We are a BBB-accredited company and have many five-star reviews on online platforms like Google and Yelp. Our dedication to excellence has earned us a lot of recognition. We are screened and approved by HomeAdvisor, an Angi Super Service Award recipient in 2022 and an Elite Service Award recipient from HomeAdvisor.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, give Tioga Plumbing & Electric a call at (682) 224-0757. We’d be more than happy to help you with any plumbing problems you’ve been facing.
Photo By Ole.CNX at Shutterstock
