Are you considering hydro-jetting for pipes that have been clogged up by underground tree roots? Trees and landscaping add a lot to a property, but anyone with an abundance knows that they can also cost a fortune in repairs and upkeep, either from limbs falling, changing city ordinances, trimming costs or the roots cracking sidewalks or getting into sewer pipes.
But how can sewer pipes be cleared of those roots? How can you tell if roots are the problem?
How do tree roots get in pipes?
Trees are seeking water and fertilizer, and unfortunately, sewer lines are filled with both. The roots naturally seek these nutrient-rich pipes, which can cause untold damage to the entire system.
When it comes to clay pipes, which are an older but still used type of pipe, it is relatively easy for roots to penetrate. The material is more porous and brittle, which makes cracks and fissures more common. The small roots are able to thread through these tiny cracks and grow larger as they are fed until they finally cause enough damage to the pipe to break it entirely. Or, the roots will expand deep into the pipe, creating impenetrable nests of thin roots that ultimately block anything trying to come through.
It is more difficult for tree roots to penetrate modern PVC pipes, but it is not impossible. Roots are more likely to enter PVC pipes through loose joints where two pipes connect and will do the same kind of damage as listed for clay pipes above.
The damage tree roots can cause
Tree roots can cause thousands of rands’ worth of damage to sewer lines and pipes and can even require pulling up and replacing all the pipes if they go unchecked.
How to tell if tree roots are causing the problem
First, find out where the sewer lines are buried on the property. The best way is to find the sewer clean-out tap, which is a little plastic plug about the size of a tea saucer with a squared-off protrusion in the center. This is used by plumbers to clear clogs (and for hydro-jetting) and will tell you where the line is.
Are there trees within five yards of the cleanout? If the house is suffering from seemingly random clogs and backups and the cleanout is located near a group of trees, there is a good chance that roots are the problem.
Hydro-jetting clears roots and debris
Hydro-jetting is one of the best ways to clear roots out of a clay or PVC sewer pipe. Hydro-jetting uses high-pressure water to chop the roots up, flush away the debris and generally clear out every square inch of the pipes far better than any physical methods.
Hydro-jetting rockets water through the pipes from a specialty device at pressures of over 5,000 psi. Few clogs or roots can stand up to that kind of deluge.
Call us today if you suspect root intrusion on your property.