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Neighbours tree roots are in my pipes
It can be quite frustrating when your neighbour has a beautiful big tree and its roots are growing under the fence between you and feasting in your sewer pipes.
In the interest of neighbourly relations it is very important to speak to the neighbours and work out a compromise on the control of the tree and its root system.
Vaporooter is a simple and effective way to stop the growth of tree roots in drains and control this persistent problem; because the tree roots will grow back after you cut them. Its just what trees do!
If your neighbour’s trees are blocking your pipes, they may be blocking the sewer pipes of the other neighbours around you. Why not find out if they’re affected and together work on a simple and cost effective drain maintenance strategy like Vaporooter.
Remember the Guarantee!
If you have a blocked drain caused by tree roots after we apply Vaporooter, we will clear your blockage for FREE!
Contact me for a copy of our Vaporooter Home Owners Guide to Tree Root control.
Did You Know this about tree roots in sewer pipes?
Did you know that a domestic sewer pipeline is likely to have more tree root blockages than a Council sewer main.
It’s true!
In domestic sewer lines we use our plumbing intermittently throughout the day, this allows the tree roots to drink their “fill” in the water flow and then be able to dry out when the flow is nonexistent. These are ideal conditions for tree roots to thrive!
However, in a sewer main the flow is constant; the sewer mains are like our freeways, there is always some form of traffic using them at any hour of the day.
Although there are exceptions, most trees and their root systems don’t like to have “wet feet” all the time.
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Any Questions about Vaporooter?
Every situation with tree roots in sewer pipes is different!
As a regular reader of this blog you already know there are several ways to Stop Tree Roots in Drains. If you know that tree roots are causing your blocked sewer pipes but you’re not sure Vaporooter will work in your situation, I want you to ring and ask me personally.
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: Is expensive!
Vaporooter will do what all these processes will do …..at a fraction of the cost!
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.
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!
Sewer snake is an Anaconda
Last week we removed this large tree root from a drain in Kingsford Sydney.
In fact, it was a tree root anaconda, measuring 6.3 metres long and it had completely blocked the pipeline. After removing the tree root from the pipeline and carrying out a “Drainoscopy” to determine that there was nothing else wrong, our client elected to have Vaporooter sewer root control applied to his pipeline.
He understands the Vaporooter Guarantee:
” If you have a blocked drain caused by tree roots after an application of Vaporooter, we will clear your blocked drain for free”
Now, will someone call a reptile handler and have this beast removed!
A tale of two drains
These 2 sewer drain pipes with their lids removed are taking the discharge from neighbouring properties. They are surrounded by different species of large trees. Tree roots are growing into the sewer pipe through the pipe joints
The drain on the left belongs to a client who, after many years of tree root blockages to her sewer pipes, grew tired of the sewer overflow running through her home.
The pipeline runs underneath her marble tiled entrance and the suggestion to renew the pipeline would mean excavating the black and white tiled floor. Matching the tiles would be difficult!
The drain on the right is as we found it. We told the owner about Vaporooter!
The images below show the inside of each pipe.
Guess which drain has had Vaporooter?
Tree Root Inhibiting Chemical Foam – Vaporooter
If you have roots blocking your pipes, it’s likely that your plumber will recommend a substance called tree root foam to clear your pipes. If the root obstruction is too dense, your plumber may recommend mechanical removal of some roots before the foam is applied.
The thought of adding chemicals to plumbing that carries your water is a scary one. Home and business owners anxious about the effect on their foliage and soil may also be concerned about chemical side effects.
Vaporooter
This type of root foam is made up of a combination of herbicide and root growth inhibitors. The herbicide causes the roots to decay and eventually die, while the growth inhibitor attaches to organic material in the pipe and keeps it from growing. The growth inhibitor lasts for about three years, but annual application is required for the guarantee to be valid and prevent the start of re-growth.
Vaporooter also includes a surfactant blend that removes slime and grease from pipes and roots. The slime is nutritious to the tree which encourages tree root growth if left in pipes. Finally, Vaporooter includes a foaming agent that carries the chemical to where it’s needed in the plumbing system.
Vaporooter causes minimal damage to trees and surrounding foliage; it only affects the tree roots directly surrounding the pipes. However, if used in large amounts, Vaporooter can be detrimental to nearby aquatic plants. Also, methylisothiocyanate (MITC) may be created when some of the chemicals in Vaporooter encounter water. MITC has been reported to cause mild health issues such as skin irritation and respiratory issues. That’s why it is important to request a plumber who is a certified Vaporooter applicator.
Tree Root Blockages: The Ongoing Problem
So, you’ve called a plumber or expert in tree root blockages, and they’ve cleared the tree roots from your pipe. They may have even replaced damaged pipes. Problem solved, right? Well, not quite because tree root blockages can turn into a constant problem.
Most drain blockage solutions are only short term; there are only a few permanent ways to deal with an ongoing root problem.
Some home and business owners choose to replace all their older, metal pipes with new pipes made out of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC is currently the number one material for preventing the leaks and cracks that lead to root penetration. PVC will virtually guarantee that roots stay out of pipes, but it can get costly. The substitution of old pipes for PVC can be time consuming, and it can cost a fortune.
Another option (one that many folks don’t really see as an option) is removing all trees within the vicinity of the home or business. But, the removal of foliage can cause aesthetic and shade issues, and lower the value of the property.
One solution for many is routine maintenance and pipe clearing. Experts can use simple pipe treatments such as snakes and high-pressure water blasters to remove tree roots before they become a full scale blockage, but that means you keep doing it over and over again.
The best alternative is to treat your pipes with Vaporooter. It’s clean, it’s quick and it’s guaranteed.
Pros and Cons of Chemical Pipe Treatments
Chemical pipe treatments are one method to both remove and prevent tree root blockages, at the same time. These treatments have a combination of binding foam and herbicides. The force of the foam can be enough to extract the roots from your pipes. The foam then goes on to seal cracks in the pipes with a material that repels tree root growth.
On the surface, this seems like an ideal solution, but the truth is a bit more complicated. Here are the pros and cons of using chemical treatments to rid your pipes of roots.
Pros
- Gets rid of the tree roots and seals the pipes at the same time.
- Just cutting out the tree roots will promote further root growth instead of preventing it. Chemical treatments will help prevent the tree roots from growing back.
Cons
- Doesn’t work if the tree roots or blockage is too big. This means the roots need to be cut first, then the chemical applied in a two-step process.
- Has to be done at least once a year, but at least the problem is solved!
- The herbicides may harm the trees near the pipes and surrounding foliage, unless applied by a professional applicator, then there is no risk.
It’s a fact that tree root systems will continue to infiltrate your pipes, especially drains made out of older material. Chemical treatments can be heaven-sent for some. You have to carefully look at this option to be sure that it’s the right one for you.
Tree Roots Block Drains
Did you know that the majority of sewer blockages are caused by tree root systems? A recent study found that tree roots are accountable for 54% of plumbing blockages; in some areas of Australia the number is as high as 93%
Plumbing blockages are a heavy price to pay for foliage. A root blocking inbound or outbound plumbing can quickly turn into a watery nightmare for home, business, and building owners.
Luckily, there are trees to avoid and trees that are okay. Trees with fibrous, or “spread out”, root can be dangerous near homes and businesses with plumbing. Trees with taproots, or roots that grow downward, can be safer for pipes. Also, some trees that are unsafe for plumbing become safer the farther they are away from buildings.
Don’t worry, if it’s too late for preventive landscaping, there are several ways to clear those pesky roots from pipes. Experts will use different methods depending on the circumstance of the blockages. Popular methods include rodding, jetting, root cutting, the use of chemicals, and a process called dig and repair.
No matter what the root blockage issue, Australia has a wealth of tree root and plumbing experts. They help our pipes live in harmony with our world-famous fauna.