Plumbing Signs You Have Roots in Your Pipes

 

Trees are a must for many home-owners But, while trees are often a welcome addition, they can easily wreak havoc on your sewage and water pipes beneath it. when root obstruction happens, it’s a serious issue that must be dealt with immediately. Miss the warning signs and you could wind up with severe issues, including plumbing system failures and other costly problems.

Why Do Roots Grow in Pipes?

 A tree’s root system is generally two or three times longer than the tree is tall, it’s that big and that wide-reaching. The larger the tree, the deeper and more complex its root system will be, and the further it will have to travel for moisture and nutrients.  

Cracks in pipes and small leaks create humidity that attracts roots, causing them to enter the pipe and grow, slowly expanding and filling the pipe until it’s completely blocked.

Left unattended, root obstruction can quickly become a serious problem, threatening the structural integrity of your sewer system and property.

Here are some signs to watch for:

 Slow Emptying Drains. 

Slowly flowing drains are often the first sign of root damage. If you flush your toilet and it drains very slowly or you hear a gurgling noise, there’s a good chance roots have entered the pipes. Note: The risk is especially high in older homes or properties with large trees nearby!

 

Sink-holes

 Sink-holes are normal in some parts of Pretoria, but they can also be a sign of serious pipe damage caused by roots.

 If a visible sink-hole forms in your lawn, stay away from it and immediately call VIP Plumbers to come out and inspect the issue. If the problem has advanced to the sink-hole stage, 

your foundation may be in danger and you should take care immediately.

 Collapsed and Blocked Pipes

 Toilet backups are always a huge inconvenience. When it comes to roots, however, you may find yourself wishing the problem came from something the kids flushed down the toilet. The reality is that root obstruction is one of the leading causes of clogged pipes, and it won’t go away without professional help.

 Bad Odors

 Tree roots can damage sewer lines, leading to unpleasant odors inside and outside the home. If you smell rotten eggs or other bad odors, you might have a serious blockage.

 How to Remove Tree Roots from Pipes

Tree roots can severely your plumbing, sewer system, front yard, property foundation and lead to a wealth of internal and exterior problems. Since tree root obstruction is a serious and potentially costly problem, it’s important to contact VIP Plumbers in Pretoria to correct the issues as soon as possible.

If you think you may have roots in your pipes, contact VIP Plumbers today to schedule a free consultation.

 

Home Plumbing Projects You Can Do on Your Own

1. Turn Off Your Home’s Water Supply

What You’ll Need: Your bare hands

What It’ll Cost: R0,00

What You Could Save: N/A

How Long will it Take: 5 minutes

How to Do It: If this sounds like a straightforward task to you, that’s because it usually is. However, it’s essential that you know how to get it done.

Every modern home has a main water shut-off valve somewhere on the property. The valve’s location depends on where the main water line enters the home:

How to Do It: If this sounds like a straightforward task to you, that’s because it usually is. However, it’s essential that you know how to get it done.

Every modern home has a main water shut-off valve somewhere on the property. The valve’s location depends on where the main water line enters the home:

• On the outside of your home: the water line usually enters through the wall. The valve should be near the entry point.

• Exterior: If you can’t locate your valve inside the yard then look at the entry point near the fence where the line enters or on the outside of the fence at the water meter.

Depending on the type of valve your valve should have an obvious flow handle. If the water is on, this handle will be parallel to the pipe. Turn the water off by rotating the handle 90 degrees, so that it’s perpendicular to the pipe. Reverse to turn the water back on.