Can Hydro Jetting Clear Tree Roots?
Tree roots have the potential to cause extensive damage to your pipes, and they can do this slowly and steadily without you realizing what’s been happening.
Hydro Jetting and Tree Roots: What Melbourne Homeowners Should Know
Rainy Melbourne, FL, is a great place for growing strong, healthy trees that beautify our community. However, those same trees are developing powerful roots, which can infiltrate your sewer system. When this happens, a full or partial blockage of water and waste could occur within those pipes, and the formation of large openings can result in sewage being sent out into your yard and elsewhere, potentially contaminating groundwater.
However, many homeowners have an effective tool at their disposal to fix this issue: hydro jetting. This method involves high-pressure water that’s being sent down your pipes, clearing tree roots and everything else that’s in its way, including grease or sludge and can also clear future clogs.
Why Do Tree Roots Invade Sewer Lines?
Why do tree roots invade sewer lines? Can’t they just get their nutrients and water in another way, especially considering how wet our climate is?
Oftentimes, pipes provide a more consistent supply of water and nutrients than they had been experiencing. In addition, the nutrients that are available in those pipes may not be attainable at all elsewhere.
Also note that roots can enter your pipes through tiny cracks and then grow to considerable sizes once inside.
How Does Hydro Jetting Clear Out Tree Roots?
How can hydro jetting solve this considerable issue?
After a video inspection of your sewer line is done to see just how significant this problem is and exactly where it’s occurred, a hydro jet machine will be connected to your pipes. This will be done through an already existing access point – i.e. no digging of trenches or similar actions will need to be done.
At this point, the water will be sent into your pipes at a pressure of up to 4,000 PSI (pounds per square inch), such a powerful force that it’ll push through most blockages, including those roots as well as grease, sludge and paper. This will be done so thoroughly that once the procedure’s over, there won’t be anything at all blocking your water and waste from passing through.
Lastly, a final inspection will take place, which will ensure that all tree roots and other blockages have, in fact, been cleared. The condition of your pipes will also be checked, ensuring that this process hasn’t negatively impacted them and, if it has, handling any issues that did develop right away.
As a result of this deep cleaning, the chances of a further clog, whether from tree roots or a different source, will be much less likely in the future and generally take quite a bit longer to occur if it does. As a result, your chances of suffering a plumbing emergency in the near future will be reduced significantly.
When Hydro Jetting Isn’t Enough or Isn’t an Option
Sometimes, the use of a hydro jet isn’t enough or isn’t recommended for your sewer line.
A Hydro Jet Needs Assistance
In some cases, your issue can still be resolved relatively easily with a hydro jet doing most of the work. If your pipes can handle hydro jetting but the tree roots are too thick for this method to effectively clear them out on its own, a plumber’s snake can be the answer. This tool could potentially break up those solid tree roots, and then a hydro jet can step in to push all of that down the line and away.
Hydro Jetting Isn’t Recommended
Unfortunately, sometimes, the use of a hydro jet simply isn’t a viable option. For example, it should be avoided if you have old pipes or ones that possess PVC or thin metal or have poor seals. Since this is such a powerful method, the potential for damage in those circumstances is too high.
If a hydro jetting procedure isn’t recommended in your situation, you do have other options.
One is to solely use a plumber’s snake to clear out the tree roots as best as possible. Utilizing chemicals – i.e. sending those chemicals down your pipes – is another option that could result in tree root clearing. You can also get your pipes replaced entirely, normally a last option but sometimes necessary.
Additionally, note that CIPP (cured-in-place-pipe) lining can be applied. This trenchless method, which consists of no or minimal digging, will result in cured epoxy resin making your pipes more durable – i.e. prevent future damage.
Signs of Tree Roots Infiltrating Pipes
You should always be on the lookout for signs of tree roots negatively impacting your pipes.
One is a tree appearing much healthier than expected and thriving more than nearby ones are as this can be a sign that it now has access to more water and nutrients than it used to and than its neighbors do.
Coming across a foul smell in your yard or in other relevant areas can also be a sign that this type of damage has occurred as that often indicates that a sewer line’s clogged.
Sinkholes forming in your yard is another strong indicator of a major issue as that can be a sign that your pipes have one or more significant leaks, resulting in the ground in that area being saturated with an excessive amount of water.
Also don’t disregard a gurgling toilet as that can indicate that air’s trapped somewhere in your pipes, caused by a blockage.
What Melbourne Homeowners Should Do
If you believe that you may have tree roots clogging your plumbing system, you should schedule an inspection right away. When you do, make sure to ask if the use of a hydro jet is a viable option in your situation.
Throughout this process, keep the big picture in mind as you surely want to avoid experiencing this type of situation in the future. Yes, a hydro jet can thoroughly clean your pipes, great for long-term care, but you should also consider strengthening your sewer system. And always keep an eye out for any indications of plumbing issues.
We at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing can help clear out your tree roots. We provide that and other types of plumbing solutions to homeowners throughout the Melbourne, FL, metropolitan area and would be glad to help you. Also make sure to remember that if there’s ever any delay in us providing you service, it’s YOU we pay.