Trees With Invasive Tree Roots and Their Potential Damage - Revolution Pipe Relining
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Trees With Invasive Tree Roots and Their Potential Damage

  1. Sydney’s lush greenery is a key part of its charm, but not all trees are suited for urban landscapes. Certain species, while beautiful and beneficial in the right setting, are notorious for their aggressive root systems that can wreak havoc on sewer lines. These roots seek out moisture and nutrients, making underground pipes a prime target for invasion.
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  3. While trees and shrubs can enhance your property by providing shade, fresh air, and aesthetic appeal, selecting the wrong species or planting them in unsuitable locations can lead to costly plumbing issues.
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  5. Keep reading as we reveal to you the list of trees with invasive roots Australia and how to identify signs of sewer line damage caused by its roots and its level of damage.

Trees to Avoid and Their Potential Damage

  1. 1️⃣ Willow Trees (e.g., Weeping Willow, Black Willow)
    • ● Root Behavior: Super aggressive and can grow in lengths, seeking out water sources like sewer lines.
    • ● Potential Damage: High. Roots can infiltrate and clog pipes, causing backups and expensive repairs.
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  2. 2️⃣ Poplar Trees (e.g., Lombardy Poplar, Aspen)
    • ● Root Behavior: Rapidly expands with widespread, invasive roots.
    • ● Potential Damage: High. Roots can crack, crush, or completely invade sewer pipes.
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  3. 3️⃣ Maple Trees (e.g., Silver Maple, Sugar Maple)
    • ● Root Behavior: Extensive and shallow, spreading over large areas.
    • ● Potential Damage: Moderate to High. Roots can infiltrate cracks in aging pipes, particularly those made of clay or concrete.
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  4. 4️⃣ Sycamore Trees
    1. ● Root Behavior: Aggressive and deep-rooted.
    2. ● Potential Damage: High. Invade sewer lines and can effortlessly weaken nearby structures.
  1. 5️⃣ Eucalyptus Trees
    • ● Root Behavior: Extremely fast-growing with long-reaching roots.
    • ● Potential Damage: High. Roots can damage pipes, foundations, and driveways.
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  2. 6️⃣ Elm Trees
    • ● Root Behavior: Broad, shallow, and invasive.
    • ● Potential Damage: Moderate to High. Roots can clog and crack sewer lines.
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  3. 7️⃣ Cottonwood Trees
    • ● Root Behavior: Fast-growing with aggressive roots.
    • ● Potential Damage: High. Known to invade sewer lines and can crawl over large areas.
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  4. 8️⃣ Birch Trees
    • ● Root Behavior: Prefers moist environments, making sewer lines a prime target.
    • ● Potential Damage: Moderate. Roots can infiltrate and clog pipes.
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  5. 9️⃣ Fig Trees
    • ● Root Behavior: Invasive and widespread, especially near water sources.
    • ● Potential Damage: High. Known to cause significant damage to sewer systems.
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  6. 🔟 Mulberry Trees
    • ● Root Behavior: Rapid-growing and aggressive.
    • ● Potential Damage: High. Roots can invade pipes and compromise nearby foundations.

Signs that Tree Roots are Compromising your Sewer Lines

  1. Tree roots can slowly and silently infiltrate your sewer lines, causing significant damage over time. Identifying the signs early can help prevent costly repairs. Here are the most common indicators that tree roots may be compromising your sewer lines:

1. Slow or Blocked Drains

 
  • What to Look For: Water movement from sinks, bathtubs, showers, or toilets, are slow despite regular maintenance.
  • Why It Happens: Tree roots can obstruct the flow of wastewater through pipes, especially when they infiltrate cracks or joints in the sewer line.
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2. Frequent Clogs

 
  • What to Look For: Repeated clogs, particularly in the lower parts of your plumbing system, like toilets and drains.
  • Why It Happens: Roots maybe growing inside sewer pipes and forming a dense mass of debris and organic material, leading to frequent clogs.
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3. Gurgling Sounds

 
  • What to Look For: Hearing gurgling noises from toilets, drains, or sinks after flushing or draining water.
  • Why It Happens: Unsettling sounds are produced when air is trapped in pipes due to partial blockages caused by tree roots.
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4. Sewage Backup

 
  • What to Look For: Foul odours, sewage coming up in drains, or even sewage backups in toilets or tubs.
  • Why It Happens: High chance of severe root intrusion which causes a blocked drain or full blockage situation, preventing wastewater from flowing properly and leading to backups.
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5. Wet Spots or Soggy Ground

 
  • What to Look For: Unexplained wet spots or soggy areas on your lawn, especially in areas where your sewer lines run.
  • Why It Happens: When roots infiltrate sewer pipes, waste water can easily escape through leaks into the surrounding soil, leading to moisture buildup or visible damp spots on the ground.
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6. Lush or Abnormally Healthy Tree Growth

 
  • What to Look For: Trees near your sewer lines growing more vigorously, with larger-than-usual roots or canopy.
  • Why It Happens: If the tree roots are already present in the sewer line, the higher the chance of rapid growth due to access to nutrients and moisture.
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7. Foul Smell or Sewer Odors

 
  • What to Look For: A musty or unpleasant sewer-like odour coming from drains, bathrooms, or outside near the sewer line.
  • Why It Happens: There may be roots inside sewer pipes causing blockages or leaks, and in turn lead to unpleasant smells due to trapped waste or sewage.
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8. Cracks or Damage to Foundation

 
  • What to Look For: Visible damage to concrete or flooring or cracks in the foundation of your house.
  • Why It Happens: If roots are growing toward the sewer lines, they might also damage the foundation as they spread, exerting pressure on the surrounding soil and pipes.
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9. Root Intrusion During a Sewer Inspection

 
  • What to Look For: A plumber or technician uses a camera to inspect your pipes and finds tree roots growing inside or around your sewer lines.
  • Why It Happens: This firsthand observation confirms that the roots are physically obstructing with the flow of wastewater and can lead to damage over time.
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10. Sudden and Unexplained Water Bill Increase

 
  1. What to Look For: A noticeable increase in your water or sewer bill without any change in usage habits.
  2. Why It Happens: If roots are compromising the pipes, they may cause leaks, resulting in increased amount of water your system uses to compensate for water loss or wastewater leaks.

What to Do If You Suspect Tree Root Damage

  •  ●  Professional Inspection: Hire a plumber to conduct a video inspection of your sewer lines to confirm the presence of roots and assess the damage.
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  • ●  Root Removal: If roots are found, they can be removed using specialised tools like a root cutter or hydro-jetting. Whilst effective, this does not prevent regrowth.
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  • ●  Pipe Repair or Replacement: If roots have caused significant damage, the affected pipe sections may need to be completely replaced.
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  • ●  Preventative Measures: Consider installing root barriers or using pipe materials that are more resistant to root intrusion (e.g., PVC). 
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  • ●  Permanent Solution: Hire a professional plumber that deals with roots through pipe relining. They will install a resin-coated liner inside your existing pipe, to seal cracks and prevent roots from infiltrating your pipe again.
  1. Preventive Tips

  •  ● Maintain Distance: Plant trees with invasive roots at least 20–50 feet away from sewer lines.
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  • ● Opt for Safe Trees: Choose less aggressive species, like dogwoods, Japanese maples, or magnolias.
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  • ● Inspect Regularly: Hire a plumber for camera inspection to monitor sewer line conditions.

Deal with tree roots once and for all…

  1. Trees, even those of your neighbors, are apt to put roots in your drainage system, especially if they’re not of a good variety. Simply because you can’t completely take them out of the picture, or you don’t have all authority to remove it. One thing you can do is to find a means for them to reduce their chances to get into and damage your drainage system.
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  3. Work with a licensed plumber or drain specialist to assess your situation and recommend the best long-term solution. They can also identify any structural issues in your sewer lines that may contribute to root infiltration.
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  5. Revolution Pipe Relining specialises in dealing with tree roots in drainage and sewer systems with pipe relining and pipe replacement in Sydney. If you’re concerned you have trees that spread by roots, call us up right away at 1300 844 353.

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