Install a Root Barrier to Prevent Pipe Damage – Sewer Surgeons

Tree roots can be a major problem for your drain pipes. As the tree searches for water it sends roots to the pipes under your home that move high volumes of water about. A lot of times they are unrelenting, slowly growing and pushing their way into pipes, they can crack certain pipes and even push through brick retaining walls! There are solutions, however, to preventing roots from growing into your pipes and clogging the plumbing of your home, one being a Root Barrier that we will talk about today.

In some situations, the location of your landscaping will conflict with the location of your plumbing in such a way that you may feel you need to decide between one or the other. Or that you may need to perform an expensive redirection of your pipes or remove that beautiful cypress altogether! Fortunately, there are other options. You can install a root barrier around plumbing systems you need protected around your home.

For example, we will look at a cluster of irrigation valves outside your home. The roots will be on the move to get to the water inside and begin to take over. First thing first is to dig out the earth around the perimeter of the valve bodies where you’re going to insert the root barrier. A root barrier is essentially a thick loop of flexible plastic that can conform to a desired area to create a barrier.

Once you’ve dug enough earth out around the perimeter, simply stand the loop up and form it comfortably around the plumbing. Ensure that the barrier is pushed down into the earth for some depth while still maintaining some height to the barrier, if the barrier does not rise high enough, the roots will simply grow upwards and over the top of the barrier. Once in place, shovel in enough earth to help the barrier keep its form. For areas that lack a strong definition, driving PVC pipes into the earth around the barrier will act as a supporting fence for the barrier wall.

Lastly, now that the pipes are secured and protected from the invading tree roots, you can purchase a valve box to cover the root barrier and valve bodies inside. Then, the project is complete. If your pipes have become damaged from tree root invasion, or you would like to schedule a professional tree root removal to clear your pipes and get them working good as new once more, give Sewer Surgeons a call at 973-579-3322 today.