There’s no denying trees add significant appeal and value to your home.
There’s also no denying your trees’ root systems and your sewer line are not friends.
If you’re a homeowner in Chicagoland it’s helpful to know the best ways to keep tree roots from damaging your sewer system.
Tree roots in the Chicago area grow quickly in the warm, damp & nutrient-rich environment surrounding sewer lines. They will seek out cracks and crevices to infiltrate and eventually overwhelm your pipes causing damage which is traditionally very costly to repair.
Use Preventative Maintenance to Keep Tree Roots out of Your Sewer System
Like most things we figure out once we start adulting, preventative maintenance is the best course of action.
- Avoid planting trees within 10ft of your sewer line
- Avoid planting fast-growing trees near your sewer line – Poplar, Weeping Willow, Aspen & Red Maple are a few examples
Where is My Sewer Line?
Knowing where your sewer line is will be a big step towards practicing these preventative maintenance measures. Here are 4 of the easiest ways to find your sewer line:
- Locate the sewer cleanout caps. Houses are required to have these caps in 2 places. They are typically white PVC or Black ABS pipes sticking out of the ground or in a recessed box in the lawn. One a few feet from your foundation wall and the other within 13 feet of the curb. In all but the most unique cases, the pipe will travel a straight line from one to the next. If you’re having difficulty locating these they may have been buried over the years or possibly never installed.
- Check Your Deed – Your homes deed will show you precisely where your sewer line travels from your home to the municipal sewer main.
- Ask a Neighbor – Many homes in Chicagoland neighborhoods are plumbed in a similar fashion. Asking a neighbor, especially with a similar house layout is often all it takes to locate your sewer line
- Check with Your Local Municipality – Most municipalities in Chicagoland will tell you directly over the phone where your sewer line is simply by providing them your address.
Remove Tree Roots Already in Your Sewer Line
So if you’re reading this far, you’re most likely past the preventative measures point, and you’re on to suspecting you already have tree roots in your sewer line.
Some common signs indicating tree root infiltration are:
- Drains Empty Slowly
- Gurgling Noises Coming from Your Drain
- Sinkholes
- Bad Odors
- Broken or Collapsed Pipes
If you’re experiencing any of these issues call our professional team at American Trenchless Technologies for a sewer line video inspection. You’ll see precisely what’s causing your issue and how big or small of a problem it is.
Next, we can offer solutions including:
- High-Powered hydro-jet or power auger to cut through tree roots
- Applying chemicals to temporarily stop growth for as much as 3 years
- Trenchless “no dig” repair options to permanently stop tree root intrusions
- Trenchless “no dig” sewer line replacement, another permanent solution.
In conclusion, the best way to deal with tree roots is with preventative measures. If it’s too late for this and you’re already experiencing issues, we’ve got your back. In fact, we offer Chicagoland’s largest and most complete list of options for dealing with tree roots in your sewer line. Schedule your free estimate now
