You Should Only Have Family Roots—Not Roots In Your Sewer Line: Calgary Homeowner’s Guide

As beautiful as trees are for residential and commercial property owners, when trees are not planted at a safe distance from your sewer, that beauty can turn to danger real quick. As one of the greatest threats to sewer systems, tree roots can make their way into the loose joints in your underground pipe systems. Even if the root is only about the width of some dental floss, wastewater gets caught on the roots. If you've ever experienced slow drains, clogged drains, or the worst case scenario, sewage backups, there is one thing to blame: tree root intrusion. When there are tree roots in the sewer line, Calgary homeowners should get in contact with a professional plumber immediately. Otherwise, a sewage backup in your home can be dangerous and lead to costly repairs and cleanups.

Our Calgary plumber at Mr. Rooter Plumbing will successfully remove roots in your sewer line. Calgary homes can benefit from our plumbing professionals to remove the roots from the insides of the sewer line before the problem manifests into something more costly and more extreme. Tree root maintenance and sewer line maintenance are crucial in order to keep tabs on what is happening deep beneath your sewer pipes. In this blog, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Calgary will take you through the effects of tree root invasions and warning signs that indicate you have roots in the sewer line. Calgary homeowners will also be guided to learn what you can do to prevent tree root damage in the future. As the most trusted plumbing company across North America, you can trust that our experienced plumbers get to the root (pun intended) of major issues within your plumbing system. The only roots that should be growing in your home are your family's. Leave the tree roots to us!

The Effects Of Roots In Sewer Lines: Calgary

Nothing is more exciting than watching the buds on trees turn green after a harsh winter in our city. You can find beautiful trees just about anywhere, including roots in your sewer line. Calgary homeowners who have mature trees on their property must consider them a threat to their plumbing. Tree roots are long and extend deep beneath the soil surface. They pull natural ingredients from the earth, like minerals and water, allowing them to prosper and grow. Trees grow horizontally because they stretch out to extract nutrients from the hidden underground systems, which necessitates digging to unveil their incredible vitality. If you think about it, tree roots can be as schematized as a plumbing system, and the roots are like underground piping!

When sewage lines and water lines develop cracks and leaks, water will seep into the soil surrounding them. This triggers the tree's root system that there has been a source of water and the roots will expand and stretch to access that water. Trees are nature, and nature goes off of basic instinct and survival. This means it doesn't matter how small a crack or leak in your sewage pipes is; those roots will suck up as much moisture as possible, no matter the cost. The roots in your sewer line will establish themselves in pipe lining, and as the roots grow and develop, any loose joints in the underground pipes will pull apart. When big and strong enough, tree roots can even cause clogging. It's important to note that certain piping materials are more susceptible to tree root damage. Let's take a look:

• Cast Iron Sewer Pipes: For homes that were built before the 1980s, cast iron drainpipes were installed below the basement slab.
• PVC Sewer Pipes: If your home was built after the 1970s, it is highly probable that you have polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes.
• Clay Sewer Pipes: Clay pipes are more susceptible to shattering when tree roots make their way into these systems. Because of this, licensed plumbers will not recommend this type of piping to building contractors.

Though it is true that trees add a great amount of curb appeal to your property, when poorly placed, the root growth will wreak havoc on your home’s plumbing system. Though tree roots in sewer lines, Calgary homeowners, are not just dependent on the piping material you currently have. What's most important is ensuring that the joints that connect piping material are secure and steadfast.

Warning Signs of Tree Roots in Sewer Line: Calgary Homeowners Must Look Out For

Invasive roots in the sewer lines of Calgary homes can cause sewer line blockages, in which the flow of water to greatly reduce. However, tree root penetration also causes annoying inconveniences like slow draining, clogged drains and toilets. As stated earlier, a sewer backup becomes more of a reality than a nightmare when there are tree roots in your sewer line. Calgary residents are likely picturing a messy sewage backup—the mess, cost, and harmful bacteria from human waste all over the floors. It's not as simple as knowing there is a tree in your yard because trees will grow at different rates, and not all tree roots enter your sewer line. Calgary homeowners, any arborist will confirm that the bigger the tree, the longer the roots. If you're concerned about the new tree landscaping your neighbour just paid for, let's look at some of the signs of tree roots in your sewer line.

Calgary homeowners should watch out for these telltale signs:

• Improper toilet flushing: If your toilet seems to belch almost every time you flush, and your plunging methods don't seem to make the gurgling noise disappear, put the plunger down. If you don't, it puts your home at risk of a sewage backup, as these are symptoms of a clogged drain line. It could very well be a tree root in your sewer line. Calgary homeowners should contact us to handle the clog.
• Pooling water: If the roots have been growing into your entire pipes for some time now, they may no longer just be leaky pipes but altogether broken pipes. When this happens, you may notice a piece of your lawn that looks rather green, spongy, and wet compared to other sections. This could indicate roots in your sewer line Calgary homeowners.
• Basement flooding: This is one of the most obvious signs that your plumbing fixtures are backed up due to a root in the sewer line. Calgary residents should know that since basements are often close to sewer pipes, a sewer blockage in the sewer lateral can send waste water back to the nearest opening, which is your basement. When your plumbing is overflowing and putting more pressure on your sewer system, it's possible that a tree root is the cause.
• Increased water bills: If you are noticing an increase in your water bills, your sewer pipe may be leaking, which will reduce the energy efficiency of your plumbing. Roots in your sewer lines Calgary homeowners will cause leaks, and leaks cause tree roots to invade. If roots haven't already invaded your sewer system, they'll be sure to grow that way once they identify a source of water.
• Slow drains, clogged toilets, and low water pressure: When you have simultaneous issues with your sewer drains, toilets, and water pressure, this is another common sign of roots in sewer lines. Calgary homeowners should know that if tree roots have invaded your home's main sewer line, all of your plumbing fixtures will show signs of a clog.

If you notice anything unusual, don’t hesitate to contact our expert plumbers for a detailed inspection!

What To Do If You Have Roots In Your Sewer Line in Calgary

Most plumbing experts will tell you that preventative maintenance is the key to success with your home's plumbing. It's like getting a car wash, oil changes, and detailing your vehicle. The more you put into your car, the longer it will function. The same can be said for healthy plumbing. Tree roots in sewer lines, Calgary homeowners, can be greatly prevented by taking the necessary precautions. Let's take a look at some cost-effective preventative solutions:

• Plant a safe distance between trees: If you're looking to add new trees to your property, always keep in your forefront where your sewage system is. Also, do some research to see approximately how large root growth gets for your specific type of tree.
• Video inspections: Don't wait for a plumbing emergency before you get a sewer inspection. In the game of plumbing, it is always best to be proactive. Our sewer camera inspections get deep beneath your sewer lines to identify all threats to their functionality, including tree roots. During the professional inspection, you will be able to see in real-time what is hanging out (or growing out) in your underground system. In the long run, annual inspections can prevent potential issues from spiralling into disasters.
• Replace old pipes with brand-new pipes: If your current piping is over 40 years old, you're probably used to clogged drains and all those other infuriating plumbing issues. The older your piping gets, the less efficient it becomes, causing more and more major repairs to your home plumbing. If you're worried about cost, we always like to put it this way: Think of all the money you could save on expensive repairs when you invest in brand-new pipes that will function with ease. Whether it results in a sewer repair or sewer replacement, our team will help you make an informed decision.

Suspecting Roots in Your Sewer Line? Calgary Residents, Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Calgary

Threats to your sewer system are major stressors in your everyday life. Needing extensive pipe repairs can be stressful, too, especially if you don't know what you're getting yourself into. If you are currently dealing with any of the above warning signs, and your neighbour's willow tree keeps getting bigger and bigger, contact our excellent customer service team today to schedule an appointment for the removal of tree roots in sewer line. Calgary homeowners should know that our plumbing professionals will be more than happy to get to the "root" issue before the issue becomes the root. When you have roots in your sewer line Calgary homeowners, you can always count on Mr. Rooter Plumbing to come up with an effective plumbing solution.