Minneapolis Sewer Cleaning Helps Keep Thirsty Trees Out of Sewer Lines

When conditions become dry throughout the Twin Cities area, the trees look for water and this means that they will turn to the sewer systems to get the sustenance that they need. This can cause unexpected issues for homeowners. The tree roots will literally grow into the sewer lines, breaking or clogging them.

As the weather becomes dryer, our Minneapolis sewer cleaning company sees an uptick in the number of sewer lines that are infiltrated by roots. The most costly consequence of this is excavation, which can run in the thousands of dollars. By cleaning sewer lines annually or every two years, root growth can be taken care of before it becomes a serious issue.

Avoiding Tree Growth In Sewer Lines

There are some things that you can do to keep trees from turning to sewer lines since they do not actively seek out these lines. The roots are simply attracted to the soil’s moisture. Sewer lines hold moisture, oxygen, nutrients, and the elements that trees need to grow. You can contact your water department regarding the location of sewer lines that are near or on your property. You can then take the proper precautions to make sure the sewer lines are free of tree roots.

A general guideline is that trees should not be planted closer than 10 feet from the lines. Trees that are planted closer than this can grow into the sewer lines, causing flooding and backups. Planting a tree far enough away from the lines can prevent plumbing problems and exposure to raw sewage.

However, how far you plant the tree from the sewer lines sometimes depends on the type of tree. There are some trees that love water and they have aggressive roots that can cause problems. If the tree is a willow or a fast-growing thirsty tree, then you want it to be 20 to 30 feet away from sewer lines. Slower growers, such as maples and oaks, still need to be planted far from the lines because their root systems become rather large.

The best trees to plant are those that are small and slow-growing. Eastern redbud, smoke tree, crabapple, and Japanese maple are all examples of favorable trees.

Working With All Types Of Pipes

The type of pipe is also a player. Tree roots growing into sewer lines are not necessarily a major problem in newer home developments because they use PVC piping. It is clay pipes that are found in the older neighborhoods that become a problem. The pipes crack over time, which leads to water and nitrogen leaking into the soil and this is attractive to tree roots.

Contact An Experienced Minneapolis Sewer Cleaning Company

We are a highly experienced sewer cleaning company that serves Minneapolis and the remainder of the Twin Cities area. If you are having issues with your sewer system, we want to help you. Whether the problem is tree roots or something else, we have the equipment and the expertise to handle it. To find out more about how we can help you, call us at 612-721-5413 for a free estimate.