Roots in the Sewer Line

TREE ROOTS VS. SEWER LINES - it's a classic match up and one that you would expect to have a predictable outcome. (The roots always win, right?) Well, not necessarily.

Roots will most certainly take advantage of any existing break, crack, or separation in a line of sewer pipe, but they will not initiate a break. Once a crack has developed, however - due to age deterioration, shifting ground, or other damage - the roots of nearby trees and shrubs will be attracted by the warmth and moisture in the line.

The flow of warm water inside a sewer lateral causes water vapor to escape to the cold soil surrounding the pipe. Tree roots are attracted to the water vapor leaving the pipe and they follow the vapor trail to the source of the moisture, which are usually cracks or loose joints in the pipe. Once the roots reach the crack or pipe joint, they will continue to grow through the opening to reach the nutrients and moisture inside the pipe - even in winter when you might think the trees would be dormant.


Problems Caused by Roots Inside Sewers
Once inside the pipe, roots will continue to grow, and if not disturbed or impeded by standing water, they may completely fill the pipe with hair-like root masses at each point of entry. The root mass then becomes matted with grease, tissue paper, and other debris that would normally flow freely through the line. The first signs of a slow flowing drainage system are gurgling noises from toilet bowls and wet areas around floor drains. A complete blockage will almost certainly occur if nothing is done to remove the roots and partial blockage.

As roots continue to grow inside the pipe, they expand and exert considerable pressure at the crack or joint where they entered the pipe. The force exerted can break the pipe and may result in total collapse of the pipe, at which point the affected section will require replacement.

Deteriorated sewer laterals leak raw sewage into the ground, which can create a health hazard. Groundwater and rain also seep into the sewer system overloading it and the wastewater treatment facility beyond their capacity. The resulting backups and overflows lead to the discharge of untreated sewage into the Bay and the creeks.


What You Can Do to Control Roots in the Sewer Lateral
Once you suspect roots in your line (inspection with a video camera can confirm this), it is possible to clear them and, with periodic maintenance, keep them clear. Here at Boden Plumbing, we clear roots from sewer lines using what we call a "scorpion cutter" that effectively scours the line of any roots and build up. We then follow that up with the application of a foaming herbicide to retard regrowth. Continue treatment every 9 to 12 months with the herbicide and that should keep the roots from growing back.

A longer term solution is to follow up the scorpion cleaning with a reline of the sewer pipe. This can be done as a spot repair if just one section of the line is compromised or along the whole length of the pipe, but it needs to be done while the pipe still retains its form. Once a section or length of pipe has collapsed, it will need to be dug up to effect a repair.

There's no need to remove a tree solely because of roots in lines. The best defense against having tree roots in lines is to make sure that your lines are in good condition and that they're not cracked. So inspect the line if you suspect a problem, and clear those roots if you find them. If you know the condition of your sewer line you can reline before the pipe collapses!

For more info, check out these resources:

:: NuFlow technology
:: Boden Plumbing trenchless services
:: About RootX

Boden Plumbing Acquires Gene's Plumbing

It's official. In early February Boden Plumbing acquired another Sonoma Valley plumbing company - Gene's Plumbing. Gene Wade has been plumbing in this area for a long time and has many loyal and satisfied customers, but he has decided to retire. Boden was fortunate to be able to take on Gene's business, and we look forward to extending the same fine service and quality workmanship to Gene's customers that they are accustomed to - and that Boden customers enjoy.

The old telephone number for Gene's Plumbing (707-939-7586) now rings through to the Boden Plumbing office. Call us on any of our local numbers for your service area and you will reach us here at the office. We look forward to your call!

:: Sonoma 996-8683
:: Napa 255-8155
:: Petaluma 762-2769

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Boden Plumbing serves Sonoma Valley, Napa Valley, and the Petaluma area. We provide a full range of residential plumbing repairs and services.
866-663-7577
www.nodrips.com

Safeguarding Your Septic

Here at Boden Plumbing we often talk to customer's about the pros and cons of water softeners compared to other water treatment systems. One thing we haven't given a lot of thought to until recently is the impact water softeners may have on home septic systems. If the salts aren't good for you to drink and they make the discharge water unsuitable for graywater systems, what about their effect on the biology and soils associated with a septic system?

It seems the jury's out. No one is ready to give a definitive thumbs up or down on water softeners and septic systems. But there are some important things to consider if you do use a water softener or are thinking of installing one - and are on septic.

1. Do the salts in the discharge water adversely affect the beneficial bacteria in the tank?
2. Does the additional discharge from water softening system overload your system's capacity?
3. Do the salts that settle out in the leach field affect percolation?

Know where you septic system is located and familiarize yourself with how it functions. There are certainly ways to minimize negative impacts, as well as a whole host of things you can do to keep your system healthy and functioning properly.

Know Your System

Wastewater from toilets, baths and sinks flows into a septic tank. A septic tank holds the wastewater allowing solids to settle as sludge. Lighter liquids like oil float to the top as scum. Wastewater remains in the middle. Baffles at the inlet and outlet allow only the separated wastewater to flow out. A leach field drains the wastewater and allows it to leach into the ground where bacteria decomposes the sewage. Disease–causing organisms, organic matter, sewage and most nutrients are removed. The clarified wastewater moves downward into the groundwater or is evaporated from the soil. Buildup of scum and sludge should be removed every 2-3 years by pumping the tank. The distribution box channels wastewater into perforated pipes, which drain into the leach field.

Keep Your Septic Healthy

• Inspect your septic tank once every year and pump as necessary.
• Avoid putting materials such as grease, cigarettes, coffee grounds, feminine hygiene products, solvents, paints, caustic chemicals, or pesticides down your drains. Even products such as paper towels, wipes, heavy toilet paper and other sanitary items that you might think are OK to go down the drain can unduly tax your septic system and shorten the time between necessary clean outs.
  
• Avoid the use of chemical septic tank additives.
• Use water wisely. Keep your usage below the “daily designated flow” or the maximum number of gallons the system was designed to handle per day.
• Limit garbage disposal use. Better yet, do not use a garbage disposal if you're on septic.
  
• Don’t construct patios, carports, decks, or other structures over the leach field or septic tank.
• Don't use landscaping plastic over the leach field or septic tank.
• Keep vehicles and other heavy machinery off of the septic tank and leach field areas at all times.
• Don’t compact the soil over the tank or leach field in any way.
• Direct surface drainage and water from roof drains away from the drain field and septic tank.
• Don’t dispose of water from hot tubs in to the septic tank.
• Keep a detailed record of all septic system maintenance activities.
• Be aware of the location of all septic system components.
• If you have a pump system be aware of the precautions to take during a prolonged power outage.
• Don’t plant anything but grass near your septic system. Roots from shrubs and trees can cause damage.
• If your tank is over 15 years old, have it inspected for baffle deterioration (sooner if you have a water conditioner)
• Never use anti-bacterial soaps

Do Your Research

:: Water Softener Use Raises Questions for Septic System Owners
:: Biological augmentation of septic systems at Sea Ranch on the Sonoma Coast.
:: Water conditioners & septic tanks - some advice from a MD contractor.
:: BioSmart - for cleaner, healthier drains.
:: Nature's Miracle reduces scale without increasing salts.

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Boden Plumbing primarily serves Sonoma Valley, Napa Valley, and the Petaluma area. We provide a full range of residential plumbing repairs and services.
866-663-7577
www.nodrips.com