Tree roots are one of the most common and frustrating reasons for people to need to hire a general residential plumbing company. That may come as a surprise to you if you aren’t used to how household plumbing works. But it’s true.
How can a tree branch possibly become so strong that it breaks through the wall of your pipes? Most of the underground piping in London is made of either PVC or copper, and it’s not like either of those are particularly soft. And why bother? Wouldn’t it be easier to just go around the pipe?
What’s the story here?
How Do Trees Cause You To Need Water Line Repair?
The answer to this lies in why the tree would want to break into your water line in the first place.
A tree’s root system can go as far deep into the earth as the tree does into the air. The reason for this is partially to anchor it in place so it doesn’t blow over, but also to draw nutrients out of the ground. Two of the most important nutrients a tree will find in the ground are water and oxygen. The larger a tree’s root system is, the easier time it has finding this stuff.
So if you were a tree, and you were sending your roots underground, where do you think you’d look for a fresh supply of both oxygen and water?
Of course, your water lines. But how does a tree know there’s water in those pipes in the first place?
Most of the time, it doesn’t. Water flows through the pipes and into your sink at home with no knowledge of this from the outside world. It’s entirely contained within the pipes.
Unless you have a crack in your pipe.
Pipe cracks in themselves can cause you problems in erosion, reduced water pressure, and in particularly bad cases, basement flooding. But if a tree is snaking its roots underground and finds that there are pools of water around an area, its roots will go in that direction. And then it will eventually figure out the source of the water – the crack in your pipes – and start pushing its tendrils into the hole.
This clogs your pipes right up, and requires a water line repair to get flowing again.
But even if your pipes don’t have cracks in them, a tree can still find out there’s water in side and break through. If your pipes sweat, for example, it can cause condensation to build up around their edges. A tree may find this and grow its roots out around it. As more and more roots wrap around your pipe, it can cause the pipe to crack in the first place.
Tree roots like water, apparently, and they’ll do whatever they can to get it.
Which Trees Cause You To Need Water Line Replacement?
Any tree can grow its roots into your pipes. This is an unfortunate reality of these beautiful shade-providing friends of ours. And you can’t always control what types of tree roots end up in your backyard – sometimes they’re from the neighbour’s property, or you live in a community situation, like a townhouse or condo.
Most people don’t even consider how their landscaping will affect their plumbing. But it can be incredibly costly to repair.
But if you can control it, you should avoid planting certain types of trees. These trees include:
• Oak
• Fig
• Maple
• Birch
• Sycamore
• Aspen
• Elm
Unfortunately, that list includes most of the nicest trees you can find here in Ontario. But you can plant alternatives instead.
Fruit trees, including apple trees, are often much better for your plumbing. You could also plant some beautiful magnolia trees or wafer ash. Palm trees, too, are great for your plumbing, but good luck planting one of those in Ontario.
”But I Don’t Want To Cut My Trees Down!
Don’t worry! You don’t have to. If you have younger trees, you could always relocate them to another point in your property where it won’t affect your plumbing. But even if they’re old and well-established, you still won’t need to worry.
With some preventative maintenance, you can ensure that your trees and your pipes can live harmoniously together on your property, providing your home with shade and running water for years to come.
Contact London Plumbing today to find out more about what you can to do keep your plumbing running smoothly.
Stuck? Give Us A Call
Once you’ve shut the water off, take a deep breath, and give us a call. Here at London Plumbing, we’re here to help, no matter your plumbing needs.
London Plumbing
Serving London Ontario and the surrounding area
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