Though it may sound strange, some plumbing problems may stem from your landscaping choices. To keep your home functional, here’s a breakdown of how tree roots can affect your plumbing and how an arborist can help. 

Why Tree Roots Seek Out Sewer Pipes

Roots branch out in search of water and nutrients, and sewer pipes offer a one-stop shop for everything trees need. Once the roots find the sewer lines, they continue growing, eventually penetrating the pipes to reach the water inside.

How to Know If You Have a Root Problem 

As the roots continue to grow within your sewer pipes, you’ll begin to notice the signs in your home. Toilets, tubs, and sinks will clog up. You may hear gurgling sounds from the drains. If the roots aren’t addressed, the problems will worsen, and you’ll notice a drop in water pressure, whistling or banging sounds from your plumbing, unpleasant smells, and puddles of wastewater in your yard.

What You Can Do About Tree Roots 

You’ll need a plumber’s help to address the pipes, but to prevent this from happening again, seek an arborist’s expertise. Ideally, any trees on your property should be far away from the sewer lines, so you may need to remove existing ones. In the future, plant trees at least 10 feet away. Also, avoid planting any shrubbery with aggressive root structures over your sewer pipes. 

If you’ve encountered problems with tree roots in your plumbing or are concerned that you might in the future, Carlos Tree Service in Anchorage, AK, is here to help. These skilled arborists offer expert tree removal services as well as trimming, pruning, and insect control to help maintain the health of the trees on your property. Visit them online to see their entire list of services. Call (907) 522-6049 today to schedule an appointment with an arborist.