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How tree roots get into pipes #3
Tree roots grow into cracks in the joints of sewer pipes that may have been there even before the pipes were used.
Hard to believe but envisage this.
Your friendly plumber has dug a trench, laid the new earthenware pipes, cemented all the joints, then proceeded to back fill the trench.
The very process of backfilling the trench is enough to put pressure and fine cracks in the cement joints.
That is just enough to let the tree roots know that warm condensation is nearby.
Vaporooter Helps Strata Prevent $40,000 Sewer Replacement
Location: Clovelly, Sydney
Occupants: Mostly women over 40. 2 with teenage children.
Home: Block of four 2 bedroom flats 2 up, 2 down circa 1920
Trees in Vicinity: Tree lined Street, many large Hills Weeping Fig (Ficus Microcarpa Var.)
In total we have billed this client $9,772.00 for tree root cutting and repairs.
In March 2010, they finally indicated their interest in applying Vaporooter to control the tree roots in and around their sewer pipes.
The quote to apply Vaporooter is $1,586.00. This comes with a 12-month Guarantee.
The estimated cost to renew this sewer around both sides of the building and out to the sewer main in the street is estimated to be an astonishing $40,000.00.
The roots from the trees in this street are widespread and we have attended to blocked drains in houses and unit blocks up and down the street. The roots are getting stronger and without Vaporooter, a full sewer replacement will be the only (costly) alternative.
Some of the residents have indicated that instead of applying Vaporooter, they will lobby the Council to cut down the trees. That would change the entire streetscape and severely diminish their property value above the $40,000 sewer replacement and well beyond the preventative Vaporooter solution that is guaranteed to solve the problem.
This beautiful period block of flats, a 5 minutes walk from the beach is on a street lined with Hills weeping fig trees.
You know the kind; they produce the most beautiful summer shade with birds attracted to the fruit. The branch canopy stretches right across the street. But, so does the root system of these magnificent specimens.
We were first called to this property to attend a blocked drain in May 2005. The problem was tree roots from the specimens on the public footpath at the front of the property. The ground floor flats were the worst affected. Not only did their toilets back up when they flushed them, but when the flats upstairs flushed their toilet, that also came up and sometimes overflowed in the ground floor toilets.
That’s called The U-Tube (poo-tube) effect!
We recommended to the owner occupiers that Vaporooter would control the tree roots in their sewer. They declined to take up the offer.
In the 5 years since, we have attended to this sewer blocked by tree roots 7 times. We have carried out excavations to repair sections of drainage damaged by this aggressive tree root system. This unfortunately includes costly and inconvenient weekend and after hours callouts.
Stop Tree Roots in Pipes: Client Testimonial
Just in via email…..
Dear Dave and Leigh,
Thank you for doing the Vaporooter treatment this morning, it gives me considerable peace of mind.
As you will recall we had experienced some nasty sewer blockages previously, up to two a year, due to an invasive ficus vine spreading its tree roots into our pipes. The sewer line passes under a slab floor and access to the pipes is virtually impossible without major invasive works; Vaporooter seemed like a good option.
Once the blockage had been thoroughly cleared, you applied the treatment.
Today’s was the third annual re-treatment and I am happy to tell you that we have had no trouble whatsoever with the drains. The treatment has been successful and has avoided a costly and invasive repair job.
Why choose Vaporooter to Stop Tree Roots in pipes?
Every situation with tree roots in sewer pipes is different!
If you know tree roots are causing your blocked sewer pipes but you’re unsure if Vaporooter will improve your situation, I want you to ring and ask me personally.
As a regular reader of this blog you already know there are several ways to Stop Tree Roots in Drains:
Root cutting: Makes the roots grow back Thicker and Stronger!
Pipe excavation: Damages gardens, lawns and footpaths. It is messy and can be very expensive!
Pipe relining: Its expensive!
Vaporooter will do what all these processes will do…at a fraction of the cost! And treat your entire property.
I think that’s worth considering.
No matter where you are in Australia, if you have a blocked drain caused by tree roots and you want to discuss your particular blocked drain situation, please ring me on 1800 637 600.
Street trees block drains
Are these Beautiful Trees in your street?
Liquid amber, London plane tree, Golden Robinia, Hills weeping fig, Brush box.
Every year as they grow a little bigger their expanding canopy adds thousands of dollars to the value to your home, bringing energy saving cool shade from the summer heat, the beauty of the colours of autumn, some, when they lose their leaves, provide much needed natural lighting and in some cases a windbreak in winter.
These same trees help replenish our oxygen supply and bring birdlife in abundance, a place for the kids to play, making your street one of the most sought after in your suburb.
Imagine your street without the trees.
Now if you have lived in your tree-lined street for some time, you will know that there is a downside to having these trees.
Did you know their luxurious canopy is fed by a root system that is fed nutrition from the non-stop supply running through that main artery from your home, also known as your sewer pipes?
Tree roots are growing around the clock; they don’t just grow overnight. They start, finer than the hairs on your head, searching for that hint of moisture or condensation on the top of your sewer pipes. (Condensation is caused as the water running through the sewer is slightly warmer than the pipes and the earth they are laying in).
Their task has been made easier by the trench excavation, breaking up soils to fit the pipes in the first place. Backfill and compaction is still way easier for tree roots to penetrate than virgin soils.
Once the fine hairs get in through the slightest crack in old earthenware or terra cotta pipe joints, they feast on the nutrients available, and grow constantly. They can end up as thick as your arm with a horse tail attached.
Amazing!
We have cut tree roots from sewers that fit this description and up to 8 metres in length.
As the roots grow in length they grow in diameter and can actually crack the earthenware pipes as they grow.
They don’t just grow overnight.
Who knows how a tree thinks?
Once they get in the pipe and have a constant source of moisture and nutrients they will keep coming back for more. Having their roots cut by drain cleaners is like pruning the roots. As any gardener will tell you, pruning makes them grow thicker and stronger. Think hedges or Rose bush.
It’s the same with the root system.
How can tree roots destroy pipes?
Tree root cells, which can be microscopic in their first stages of development, look for warmth and humidity so that they can mature.
In their search, they are attracted to and discover drain lines, which they can penetrate through extremely small openings in the pipe joints and gradually grow inside them.
As the tree roots mature inside the pipes, they create blockages when waste water is flushed through them.
Now, one of the least efficient methods of unblocking the pipes is cutting the roots. This “pruning” action actually leads to a more vigorous tree root regrowth.
Spring brings shoots and tree roots
Spring in Australia brings new growth to our trees and shrubs. New shoots above ground means the trees are growing underground as well, and new tree roots means blocked drains.
As Australia’s leading authority on tree roots in drains, with over 15,000 blocked drains under my belt and I’ve used all kinds of drain cleaners, its safe to say I know a lot about fixing blocked drains.
Having said that, I can tell you that there is a simple way to Stop Tree Roots in Drains. It’s called Vaporooter!
Over the next few weeks I’ll share some of my blocked drain experiences and how you can prevent them from happening at your place ever again!
No more Blocked Drains?
Did you know……….
85% of all blocked sewer drains are caused by tree roots?
Simply put, there is a way to prevent blocked drains from happening ever again.
It’s easy, it’s safe and it Works!
It’s called Vaporooter
Vaporooter stops tree roots in Council drains
Tree lined streets in big cities and country towns across Australia have many benefits, but there are also negatives.
Tree roots from street trees invade the council and water authorities mains, reducing the flow and block the sewer mains.
When it comes to blocked drains, Council manpower and budgets are stretched by tree root affected drain maintenance.
There is a safe alternative! Vaporooter Stops Tree Roots. Period!
Tree roots in sewer mains? Vaporooter kills roots. Period!
Tree roots will travel to find your pipes
Quite often a sewer blockage can be caused by the roots from trees that are not even on your property.
Tree roots will travel great distances to seek moisture and nutrients readily found in sewer pipes, especially during periods of extended drought. Amazingly in some cases the roots will travel from the base of the tree up to 3 times the height of that same tree. So a 15 metre high tree will spread its roots up to 45 metres from the base of the tree.
Check out this Youtube video to see how far tree roots travel to find sewers and pipes just like yours!