Top 6 Warning Signs You Have a Tree Root Intrusion in Toronto

No matter where you live in Toronto, water is essential to our way of life. Nestled on the shores of Lake Ontario stands Canada's most populated metropolis. From hot summer days spent basking in the sand to high water usage in the home, water pulses through the city's veins. Even the trees are drawn to the water. When you see tree roots stretching out of the sidewalk or bursting through a sewer pipe, they're stretching through the soil in search of water. But what if this root intrusion affects the health of your home? When tree roots invade your plumbing systems, they can have a devastating impact on property owners, leading to water damage and the structural integrity of your sacred space.

That's why you can count on our team of professional plumbers for all your tree root intrusion problems. Not sure how to spot the warning signs of tree root intrusion in your plumbing systems? You're in the right place! Read on to learn more about tree root intrusion and how to identify its presence in your home. 

What Is Tree Root Intrusion?

Tree root invasion happens when trees, which have a natural tendency to search for moisture and warmth, invade your external pipes, damaging your sewer lines. This is especially prevalent in older pipes, which can crack more easily due to age, giving roots access to get cozy in your sewer pipes and causing blockages. Once they've found their way into your pipes, the problem only worsens from there. The roots will continue to grow, causing your pipes to crack further, preventing them from draining water from your home properly and resulting in complete blockage from root masses. Debris can cause further root clogs as it flows through your pipes, getting stuck on the web of roots and other organic matter. 

But, there are a few signs that can help you identify tree root intrusion before they cause severe damage to your plumbing system. Let's take a look at 6 common identifiers:

Top 6 Signs You Have a Tree Root Intrusion in Toronto

Sinkhole Formation

If you take a walk around your property and notice unusually soft spots in your yard, these are the beginning signs of a sinkhole. If you have an advanced sinkhole, a depression will already have formed in the ground. Sinkholes happen when there is an excess of moisture, changing the natural composition of the earth. Their presence in your landscape is an indicator that the root intrusion problem you have may be more advanced, possibly affecting the foundation of your home as excess moisture is bursting out of your pipes. 

Slow Drains

Slow drains are one of the less clear signs of root intrusion because they can indicate a myriad of plumbing issues, ranging from a mildly clogged drain to a sewer line clog. But, among other things, they can definitely indicate a root intrusion issue. The blockage in your pipes, due to the intrusion, will slow the flow of water in your drains. When this occurs, your tubs, sinks, and shower will start to take longer to drain than they usually do. First, inspect the drain to ensure it isn't slowed due to hair, tissue paper or soap scum. If this is not the issue, it's best to call in one of our experienced plumbers to take a closer look at root intrusion in pipes.

Sewer System Backups

When your sewer pipelines are blocked, the water that usually flows down will be forced to come up. If you're noticing frequent toilet clogs, standing water in your basement floor drain, or your sinks won't drain, these are all signs that you could have root intrusion, preventing the water from flowing into your home's sewer pipes. If you notice any of these signs of a sewer backup, it's best to call in a professional right away before further sewer line damage occurs.

Bad Odours

Foul odours emitting from your drains are one of the most obvious signs you have tree root intrusion. When your drains are working properly, the smell of old food and dirty water will be washed down, but when there are blockages, preventing the free flow of water, this waste will get stuck in your drains, causing a sulfur-like smell. You may also notice this smell in your yard around sinkhole areas if the root intrusion is more advanced.

Water Pressure Changes

If you have tree root intrusion in Toronto, it will undoubtedly affect the water pressure coming out of your pipes. Severe blockages in sewer pipes will prevent the water from coming out at the usual flow rate and will result in fluctuating water pressures. Keep a close eye on these changes and call in a plumber to determine if the cause is root intrusion. If you can locate which pipe is bringing water into your property, you can give our team a better idea of where to get started.

Are Tree Roots Encroaching on Your Sacred Space? Contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Toronto Today!

Now that you can identify the signs of root intrusion in your home, don't hesitate to call our team of expert plumbers for diagnostic services in tree root intrusion and sewer line repair, and we'll get the problem fixed right away. Tree intrusion can sound scary, but with our efficient action and effective solutions, there's no need to stress!

We're a locally owned and operated business, so we know what the communities of Toronto, East York and Beaches need! On top of tree removal, we offer other services such as sewer and drain cleaning, septic system services, well pump services, commercial plumbing services and more! We're Toronto's #1 choice for all your plumbing services, repairs, and installations.

Contact us today to talk to one of our friendly customer care representatives, and they'll set up an appointment for you today! Don't wait another minute; we'll help rid of your tree root intrusion problems and other potential issues, so you can get back to enjoying all that Toronto has to offer!