In many residential homes, tree roots, and drain pipes are often located in close proximity to each other. When the roots detect moisture coming from the pipes, that can be the start of an extensive plumbing problem. Tree roots are constantly in search of moisture, and if left unchecked, they can start to encroach upon pipes.

Enter through small cracks and poorly sealed joints until eventually, they’ll have filled up and clogged the pipe completely. To stay ahead of this problem, Edmonton plumbing professionals recommend that you take the following steps:

Take care of roots chemically

Removing roots from a pipe is often difficult because you could end up damaging the pipes and other plants. Thankfully, there are chemical solutions that kill only the roots around the pipes and leave plant life unaffected. Using such a solution does away with the need to dig up the pipes and repair the line, which can help you save thousands of dollars.

Be sure to use such products as recommended, because you could end up damaging too much plant life if you’re not careful.

Remove the roots using a sewer auger

If tree roots have become too large to be handled by chemicals, you can try using a sewer auger. This type of mechanical cutter contains a rotating head armed with sharp ‘teeth’ that can cut through the roots blocking the pipe and causing wastewater to back up. Once you have taken care of the blockage, follow it up with a chemical solution for a more permanent fix.

Dig up the clogged line and repair it

Years of living with a root problem unchecked can permit tree roots to completely destroy your sewer system. If this is the case, you may have to call upon the expertise of a licensed Edmonton plumbing professional, such as those from Capital Plumbing and Heating, Ltd., to dig up the pipes and replace the old broken system with a new one.

Trees are extremely beneficial to the overall natural landscape. Unfortunately, their roots can be a huge problem when they cause damage to a residential plumbing system. It’s worth noting that there are certain trees that can be planted over water pipes, and you can learn about them from a local arborist. For plumbing problems beyond your control, call your Edmonton plumber right away.