Suspect Root Invasion? A Sewer Inspection May Determine Whether a Tree Stays or Gets the Axe

Every living thing needs room to grow, and that towering shade tree in your yard is no exception. While you appreciate the shade that its sprawling branches provide to your yard during the blistering summer heat, you may be blissfully unaware that deep beneath your home, your tree is struggling for survival. As moisture seeps out of the foundation of your home, your friendly backyard tree may be sending tiny, invasive root hairs into the damp cracks and crevices of your home, in an effort to find life-sustaining water.

While most homeowners would be happy to provide ample moisture for the tree that so graciously offers them a respite from the sun, usually the tree’s search for water goes undetected until the homeowner notices a problem with his home’s sewer system, an issue with his home’s foundation, or a problem with buried utility lines. The problem starts innocently enough, as the tree sends out tiny, hair-like root fibers, but once those fibers work their way into a water or sewer line, problems grow rapidly. Occasionally, an invasive root system can cause blockages so severe that water that is normally ushered away from a home is prevented from taking its normal course.

Because blockages due to a tree’s runaway root system are hidden deep beneath the foundation of a home, they are difficult for the typical homeowner to self-diagnose. Fortunately, a homeowner that suspects a runaway root system is to blame for the sewer issues he is experiencing, need not panic. A sewer inspection, performed by a professional technician, can not only pinpoint the exact area of concern, but can also help a homeowner determine whether a suspected tree root is really to blame, and whether or not that tree must come down for the sake of the future of the structure.

If you suspect that an invasive root system is causing blockages in your sewer or water lines, contact us today. A sewer inspection may prevent you from inadvertently removing a beautiful, beneficial tree.