Is Root Intrusion the Source of Your Blocked Drains?
Healthy, towering trees with full crowns are sought after by many homeowners who want a lush backyard. In addition to elevating the kerb appeal of your property, one or more trees on your property can shelter you from Australia's stifling summer heat, which can eliminate the need for building an outdoor shade. But one aspect of growing trees that not many people think about is how extensive their root systems can be.
The larger these plants become, the more intrusive their roots are, as they spread in search of hydration and nutrition. If not attended to, the roots can end up piercing through your plumbing hardware, leading to plumbing problems inside your home. But considering that plumbing issues crop up from a range of issues, how can one identify if this is the underlying cause? Read on for symptoms indicating that root intrusion is the likely source of your blocked drains.
A majority of your drains are affected
While there are many issues that your plumbing can succumb to, from overflowing toilets to slow-draining shower drains, these problems tend to affect specific amenities in your home. When the issue is localised, it usually does not indicate that there is a bigger underlying problem to contend with. However, the moment that you notice that a majority of your drains are blocked, you should be concerned about the potential of root ingress.
When tree roots penetrate your plumbing, they usually do so at the main pipes. Hence, the subsidiary pipes that are connected to the main hardware all begin to exhibit signs of a blockage since water is not flowing appropriately. It is critical to enlist the services of a plumber, as they can carry out a CCTV inspection that will pinpoint the location of the root ingress.
Sinkholes are forming on your property
The second tell-tale symptoms signalling the likelihood of roots intruding into your plumbing hardware is the formation of sinkholes on your property. Once tree roots come across the water in the pipes, they will continue to grow, as they will be receiving adequate hydration to keep them alive. Not only does this mean that water will be leaking into the yard, but over time, the roots can also get big enough to split the pipes in their entirety!
Resultantly, the soil in your yard gets waterlogged, and this leads to the formation of sinkholes. If you come across spongy sections of soil on your property, you must seek professional plumbing services, as this could be the source of your blocked drains. Take note, in some instances, the pipes can damage sewer lines, exposing you and your loved ones to a health hazard.
Further signs to be on the lookout for that could mean root intrusion is causing your block drain problem are suspiciously healthy patches of lawn, several toilets backing up incessantly and more.