When roots from a nearby tree begin growing into your sewer line, they are known as root intrusions. While root intrusions aren’t always a cause for concern, they can be difficult to detect and eliminate. Luckily, there are several strategies for preventing root intrusions from becoming a bigger problem. Keep reading to learn more about root intrusions and ways to prevent them from affecting your sewer line in the future.

What is a root intrusion?

A root intrusion is a tree root that has grown into a sewer line. This can be as a result of a nearby tree being overhanging and roots growing into the pipe, or if the tree is growing into a nearby manhole, roots from the tree may have breached the soil surface and extended into the pavement. When roots from a nearby tree begin growing into your sewer line, they are known as root intrusions. While root intrusions aren’t always a cause for concern, they can be difficult to detect and eliminate. Luckily, there are several strategies for preventing root intrusions from becoming a bigger problem. Read on to learn more about root intrusions and ways to prevent them from affecting your sewer line in the future.

Strategies for preventing root intrusions

There are several ways to prevent root intrusions. Some of these strategies can be implemented before construction, while others can be used after construction has finished. Below are some ways to prevent root intrusions. Keep in mind that these strategies will not work in all situations. The severity of root intrusions will depend on a variety of factors, including the type of tree growing nearby, the amount of precipitation, and the amount of organic material in the soil.

Keep the soil surface clear of organic material

Soil that has been compacted can prevent roots from growing into a sewer line. Compacted soil is when soil has been compacted due to heavy machinery or other activities. If the soil surrounding your sewer line is compacted, you may want to consider hiring a contractor to loosen it up again. If the soil is too compacted to allow roots to penetrate through, the tree roots will likely grow into the pavement or your landscaping instead. If the soil is too compacted to have roots grow through it, you may want to consider removing the soil and replacing it with new soil. This will allow the roots of nearby trees to penetrate the soil and grow into the sewer line.

Dig a trench beside your sewer line

If you have a sewer line that is running beside a tree, you may want to dig a trench beside the sewer line. This will allow you to redirect the roots of the tree away from the sewer line. While digging the trench beside the sewer line, you can also add soil to the trench to raise the soil level near the sewer line. Raising the soil around the sewer line will help prevent roots from growing into the line.

Add a barrier along the sewer line

If you have an irregularly shaped sewer line, you may want to consider adding a barrier to the sewer line. Barriers are commonly used to protect against root intrusions. They are commonly installed along the sides of the sewer line or directly on top of the pipe. Barriers can be made from a variety of materials, including plastic, steel, and concrete. When roots are unable to penetrate through a barrier, they may grow around the barrier instead. Barriers can be a great way to prevent root intrusions, especially if the distance from the tree to the sewer line is too great to dig a trench.

Conclusion

Root intrusions are a common problem in areas that experience heavy rain. When roots penetrate into a sewer line, they can cause backups that can cause property damage and sewer cleanouts. There are several strategies for preventing root intrusions, including keeping the soil surface clear of organic material, digging a trench beside the sewer line, adding a barrier along the side of the sewer pipe, and planting trees that are resistant to root intrusions. With these strategies, you can reduce the risk of root intrusions and keep your sewer line clean and flowing freely.