It's no secret that well-maintained trees can be a beautiful addition to a yard, adding shade on summer days and even increasing your home value. However, when left unchecked, tree roots can also wreak havoc on your septic tank. While this issue develops slowly over time, it can have costly—and unsanitary—consequences when not managed properly. Below is a guide to how tree roots can damage your septic tank and what you can do about it.

How Do Tree Roots Damage Septic Tanks?

Water-loving tree roots are always searching for moisture and nutrients. Unfortunately, the thick pipes that run deep throughout your yard can be appealing to tree roots, which pry into the pipes, damaging the system and your home's water flow.

Through the weakened joints between pipe segments, tree roots can detect mild seepage, exploiting these weak spots and gaining access to the septic tank, causing a potential sewage eruption.

How Do I Prevent Tree Roots From Entering My Septic Tank?

If you're in a newer home or are in the early planning phases of tree selection, take preventative measures to avoid damage later.

For instance, choosing trees and shrubs with shallow, slower-moving roots will pose less of a threat to your septic system than aggressive, quick-growing trees such as oak, Japanese maples, or fruit trees. Find and mark utilities on your property to ensure you're not planting trees too close to septic tanks or sewage pipes. Provide ample moisture and nutrients for trees to encourage the roots to stay close, rather than seeking out water and nutrients elsewhere.

What to Know About Routine Septic Maintenance

Routine maintenance is critical when it comes to ensuring the overall safety and security of your septic tank. Through regular inspections and maintenance, you can identify and resolve issues as they arise, taking preventative measures such as replacing or fixing leaky or damaged pipes or removing roots that are growing too close to the septic tank.

Regularly inspect the yard for signs of leaking pipes, such as patches of grass that are greener than the rest of your lawn or patches that are constantly damp, which can indicate leaks. The sooner you find and address leaks, the less likely you are to experience tree root damage.

If you're experiencing tree root damage or need assistance with your septic tank, contact the professionals at Earnest Well Drilling Inc in Milford, NE. Providing professional well and pump services for more than 90 years, the licensed and certified team provides a variety of services such as septic installations, repairs, and cleanings along with well digging and related services. Call them today at (402) 761-2281 for an estimate, or visit them online to learn more about their services.