I have to admit that I am very frugal, but I have to be with my large family. When heating and air-conditioning bills were just becoming too much to bear, I finally caved in and bought new windows that I was told were more energy-efficient. They weren't as expensive as I thought they would be, which was great news. I had them installed just before winter began, and I received the lowest heating bill for the month of November that I had received in years! I was so happy that I had those windows installed, especially after being so hesitant to spend the cash on them. I created this blog to help other frugal people like me realize that sometimes spending money on home improvements really does pay off in the long run! I am now looking into new home insulation to save even more cash!
Tree roots aren't the first thing you'd expect to pose a threat to your septic system. Roots that invade your septic lines or septic tank can cause serious problems as they grow uncontrollably. Here's what homeowners should know about septic system root intrusion.
Why Do Tree Roots Invade Septic Systems?
Tree roots constantly search for moisture, heat, and nutrients as they grow. Septic lines are a rich organic food source for plant life, and nearby tree roots will readily seek them out. Roots break into your septic system by following the path of least resistance. A minor crack or loose connection may provide just enough space for small feeder roots to work their way into your septic system.
What Are the Risks of Septic System Root Intrusion?
A tight bundle of invading roots in your septic system can act as a bottleneck for your home's entire drainage system. Root intrusion may cause all the drains in your home to back up since wastewater has nowhere to go when it reaches the root blockage. Blockages between your septic inlet pipe and septic tank are most likely to cause drain backups.
In other cases, septic lines or leach lines that have been punctured by roots may leak liquid waste called effluent. Effluent will gradually rise to the surface of your yard as the soil becomes saturated with water. Effluent waste in your yard is a health hazard since it is high in pathogenic bacteria.
How Can You Prevent Septic System Root Intrusion?
Before you can protect your septic system from root intrusion, you have to know where it is. If you're unsure exactly where your septic lines and septic tank are buried, enlist the help of a plumber. Once you've learned the layout of your underground septic system, you can avoid planting trees nearby that may compromise the system.
Choosing the right types of trees to grow on your property is just as important as choosing their location. If protecting your septic system is a primary concern, stick to trees with shallow, slow-growing root systems. Crabapple trees, Japanese dogwood trees, and several varieties of maple trees will all pose little risk to your septic system.
How Do Plumbers Repair Septic System Root Intrusion?
Plumbing contractors use specialized equipment to remove tree roots from buried septic lines without excavating them. The first step is usually a video inspection, during which your plumber will use an extendable camera to pinpoint the roots causing problems in your septic system.
Next, a bladed auger or auto-rooter can be fed into the inlet pipe to mechanically remove root blockages. If necessary, your plumber will finish the job by relining the damaged septic line with epoxy to discourage further root intrusion.
Root intrusion is another common source of septic system issues that plumbers must be prepared to deal with. Schedule a septic system inspection if you're struggling with slow drains, drain backups, or wastewater in your yard. For more information, visit a site like http://sullivanseptic.net.
Share