How Trees Can Destroy Your Home's Sewer Line

You try to be wary and make sure you keep from putting anything down the drain that would plug your pipes. You don’t put anything down the toilet except toilet paper; you don’t put coffee grounds, meat, or oils down the kitchen sink; and you make sure to have strainers on all your drains. But have you covered all your bases in order to help stop a high-priced sewer line repair?

Check outside because you may be ignoring the most damaging problem of all: tree roots.

Trees desire nutrients and their roots are how they get it, so the end of the tree root is continuously “looking for” and “reaching for” a source of moisture and nutrients and they are very attracted to a leaking sewer line that requires repair.

Typically, tree roots will leave strong, intact sewer lines alone. They typically only occupy leaking, broken, or damaged lines buried within the top 24 inches of the ground. When this happens the first damage does not only get worse, the tree roots can completely clog the sewer system and reduce the water flow, causing overflows and even flooding your home or building.

So what do you do? Call a sewer line repair expert in Cleveland.

A sewer line repair will typically be easier (and cost less) than a completely broken pipe, so if you suspect an issue with your sewer line, especially if you believe tree roots are moving into the pipe, call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning right away.

Sewer line repair experts at Service Experts will use a sewer inspection camera to confirm whether or not the sewer system has a tree root problem. Once the issue has been determined, our sewer line repair expert will review all of your options with you and help you choose the best way to move forward, whether that’s a trenchless sewer line replacement or just getting rid of the tree roots.

Keep in mind, faster growing trees, such as cottonwood, oak, or basswood, may cause more problems because they grow more quickly. Slower growing trees are a better alternative, but they still need to be removed and another tree replanted every six to ten years to avoid their roots from damaging the sewer lines. Also, always plant trees far from your sewer lines, that way you can help avoid damage and prevent those pesky (and often expensive) sewer line repairs. If you’re not sure where your sewer lines are, ask Service Experts to flag the path of the sewer pipes.

So if you think your tree roots have entered your sewer line or you have any plumbing problems at all, call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning in Cleveland and we are happy to visit and see if you need a sewer line repair or do a seasonal plumbing maintenance to make sure your pipes are in working order.