Tree roots in drains and drain pipes are more common than you might think, but just because they’re common, it doesn’t mean they’re a welcome addition to your plumbing system. In fact, tree roots in your drain pipes can cause a huge amount of damage and cause significant issues within your home. With that being the case, read on for some information about how to deal with tree roots, from why they block sewers in the first place to when you may need a 24/7 emergency plumbing service.

Why Do Tree Roots Block Sewers?
When tree roots are looking for moisture, they spread out as far as they can until they find a good source; this might mean they reach leaking underground pipes. Even the smallest leak can attract roots which will work their way into the cracks and start to grow in the moist, dark - basically perfect - environment within the pipe itself. Not only will this block the pipe, but it will make the cracks larger too. After a little while, this will cause a lot of damage to the drainage system.

Signs of Roots in Drain Pipes
It’s not always easy to spot roots in drain pipes and know when you may need a 24/7 emergency plumbing service, so it’s crucial to understand the signs that will give you a clue that you have this problem. Some of the things you need to watch out for include:
  • Your drains are much slower than usual, and/or they gurgle when draining water
  • Your toilet is constantly backing up, but there seems to be no obvious cause
  • There is a strong smell coming from your drains
  • You have sinkholes in your garden or driveway
  • Trees on your property are growing much faster than before

DIY Solutions
You might want to try some DIY solutions to help deal with the issue of tree roots in your drain pipes. The first thing you can do if this is something you want to try is to use salt; this simple household item can do a lot of good in this situation. All you need to do is pour salt into your drains before flushing the area with water. Salt will dehydrate the roots in your pipes and soak up any additional moisture at the same time.

Copper sulphate is another potential DIY solution. Mix the copper sulphate with water as per the instructions on the bottle and flush it through the drains. This should kill the roots, and when you flush with water, this will remove the dead roots and clear the chemical away.

Professional Methods
Of course, often, it’s best to have experts help you with your problems when it comes to tree roots in your drain pipes, and knowing that you may need a 24/7 emergency plumbing service is important. There are a variety of methods professionals can employ to remove problematic tree roots, including using a mechanical auger or rooter. They might also use hydro-jetting, which would blast water at the roots to remove them.

Once the roots are removed, the pipe will need to be repaired to prevent the same issue from occurring again and to stop any further leaks. In some cases, this might not be possible, and the pipework will need to be replaced instead.

Final Thoughts
If you have tree roots in your drain pipes, they need to be removed immediately to ensure they cause as little damage and disruption as possible. Although it’s possible to do it yourself, there are times when you may need a 24/7 emergency plumbing service; this is quicker, more efficient, and will ensure the job is done right.