Intrusive plant roots are a leading cause of pipe failures. Trees don’t care whether the pipe runs clean water or sewage. Nature will find a way, which means your water flow might be in the way. Cracked pipes and pipes with roots growing through and into them are a pressing problem, one that you can’t put off for long. There are three steps that you should take to get your intrusive root pipe problem under control. First, take out the roots with a DIY solution. Second, get professionals on the line. Finally, consider how CIPP lined pipes can protect against the problem permanently.
TRY THE DIY APPROACH
If you hear a gurgling sound every time your drain clears or you flush your toilet, it’s an early sign that you have intrusive roots. Don’t despair. Get down to a garden store and buy some copper sulfate. Be careful when you’re taking it inside. It will kill the plants that you drop it on. Wash some down your drain or flush it down the toilet. This will kill the current intrusive plant roots, but all that’s really going to do is buy you time. The roots will more than likely grow back. Buying copper sulfate forever won’t do the trick. The roots will eventually destroy your pipe. Repairs are easier when the pipe is still mostly intact. Once you’ve gotten back the use of your drains, you can start calling around for a lined pipe plumbing service.
INTRUSIVE PLANT ROOTS VS THE EXPERTS
CIPP professionals are a great resource for intrusive plant roots. Before any repairs can be made, they’re going to have to inspect your pipe. This can be done simply and easily. A camera attached to a long, flexible cord is threaded into the drain, which gives a wider view of the situation. They can check for clogs while they see what shape your pipe is left in, and then respond with the best method. Extensive root damage may require different approaches. If the pipe is not yet completely destroyed and is merely cracked or misshapen, CIPP can be a great solution.
LINED PIPES ARE A BETTER SOLUTION
Intrusive plant roots are a common but tricky problem. One solution is to remove the tree that’s causing the damage. However, there are many situations where that’s not practical. The tree may belong to someone else and is simply sending its roots across the property line. If they’re not willing to cut down their tree, there’s not much you can do. On the other hand, you may not want to get rid of your own tree. There are both sentimental and practical reasons for wanting to avoid taking an ax to a major feature of your landscape.
Lined pipes are a solution that doesn’t involve killing trees. A new pipe is formed inside the old one. Cured-in-place pipe doesn’t disrupt the landscape, and the solid-cast pipe doesn’t offer moisture for the roots to find. The solid, single pipe is also sturdy. It’s very difficult for a tree to break through a regular pipe and the lined pipe inside.
Intrusive plant roots start as an annoyance, but can easily grow into a larger threat to your property. If you suspect you have intrusive roots, start by calling the professionals at Advanced Pipe Repair. Ultimately, CIPP is a great solution to intrusive roots. Contact us now for an estimate.