5‌ ‌Steps‌ ‌to‌ ‌Protect‌ ‌Your‌ ‌Plumbing‌ ‌System‌ ‌from‌ ‌Tree‌ ‌Roots‌

If you

have a massive tree near your building, you would need to watch for its tree roots. Without even realizing it, the tree roots around your facility may already be causing significant damages to your plumbing system. Due to the waters inside the pipes, the roots hold a natural attraction with them. When they contact a small leak, they will quickly grow and may cause damages and blockages to your plumbing system. In these cases, having regular maintenance and inspections is essential.

If you want to find ways of preventing these instances from happening, here are some steps to protect your plumbing system from tree roots:

Step 1. Locate your plumbing lines.

The first thing that you should do to protect your plumbing system is to know the locations of your underground pipes, cables, and lines. This way, you’ll have an idea for your future landscaping and where you can plant your trees without causing any problems on your building components.

Step 2. Plan your planning wisely.

Now that you know your plumbing lines’ location uses it as a reference when planning your plants’ zones. For areas near the plumbing system, limit the number of trees and use the plant types that will not cause any future issues. If planting risky trees is unavoidable, use those with small growth and root balls. Ensure that they are unlikely to damage your underground components. You can also use alternative shading ideas for your garden if the aesthetics are your sole concern. Don't hesitate to call for professional help if you are having a hard time with the planning.

Step 3. Protect your plumbing lines.

Find ways to create a barrier or protection on your pipelines to avoid root invasion. One way to do this is by using chemicals such as copper sulfate and potassium hydroxide to inhibit the roots growing in a particular area. Some people also use metal or wood barriers and place them from six to 12 inches down the pipes. It is essential to ensure that they will run vertically to the plumbing line. 

Step 4. Perform regular maintenance.

Some building owners think that maintenance is just an additional expense when it helps prevent costly bills in the future. By picking up the threatening issues on your plumbing system before it gets worse, you can avoid further damages that may cause expensive repairs and exchanges. A consistent inspection around your plumbing line can also monitor the root development around it to ensure that it will not contact the plumbs.

If there is already damage to your plumbing system, the inspector can quickly pick it up and unclog any lodged debris along the way. Once there are inspections and maintenance, you can now devise a proper maintenance program to suit your budget and the services you need. It is also better to install a louvered access door and follow a Plumbing Maintenance Checklist.

Step 5. Know the primary signs of plumbing damages.

To prevent any plumbing damages before getting worse, ensure that you will not ignore early signs such as foul odors coming from your drains, water backups, overflow, and toilet blockages. These are the key indicators that something is wrong with your plumbing system, and you must do a proper inspection to avoid further problems. There may be cases that you are unaware of the roots getting in contact with your plumbing lines. One way to figure this out is if there is unearthed ground or collections of water pooling in your garden. When this happens, make sure to call for professional help right away.

Protect your plumbing system!

Many things may damage your plumbing system, and one of these is the unnoticeable tree roots getting in contact with them. To avoid these issues, a proper landscaping plan and regular maintenance are essential. If you need to access your plumbing system but want to prevent any infiltration, it is ideal for installing a Louvered Access Door. Contact our product specialists at Access Doors and Panels for more information about our products.