While clogged drains can often be traced to poor flushing habits or clumps of hair, there’s another culprit that doesn’t receive nearly the same amount of attention—and it’s right in your backyard. Tree roots tend to cause chaos when they come into contact with the plumbing system’s pipes. If there’s enough damage, you’ll likely need a rooter service to perform drain cleaning. Here are some ways that tree roots can impact your household plumbing system.

3 Ways Tree Roots Lead to Clogged Plumbing

1. Cracks

If your pipes are cracked or damaged in any way, water, dirt, and roots can easily enter. When trees need moisture, their roots seek out any available source. Once the root finds the water in the pipe, it makes its way inside. Before long, the roots will grow and rely on your plumbing for nourishment. Unfortunately for your home, that growth fills up the pipes and backs up your system. During drain cleaning, the plumber can use state-of-the-art equipment to detect the source of the backup.

2. Droughts

Even a drought in your area can lead to an eventual need for drain cleaning. If there’s no rain, a tree’s nearest water supply may well be a leaking pipe or sewer. It’s important for pipes like these to be repaired, or the problem will simply recur.

3. Netting

Imagine the scenario underground when a small tree root starts to grow. It doesn’t take too long for it to thrive under the right conditions. As this happens, the roots start to “net”—that is, take hold of the waste and toilet paper that you send down the pipes. What results is an extensive clog that consists of both waste material and the tree’s roots. Aside from dealing with overflowing sewage in the house, you can schedule a sewer cleaning appointment to handle this problem.

Serving Fairfield and New Haven counties in CT, All Star Rooter is the area’s leading source for drain services and video sewer inspections. You can rely on these drain cleaning experts to resolve your clogged drains and eliminate the problems caused by tree roots in your pipes. Visit their website for more information on sewer cleaning and other drain services, or call (203) 286-4498 to schedule an appointment.