Older sewer pipes buried on residential property typically are constructed of clay or concrete, which are prone to developing small cracks over time. Sometimes this causes no problems, and the homeowner never realizes the pipe has any flaws. In other cases, tree roots near the pipe are attracted to the materials they sense are available at those tiny cracks: water and fertilizer. The roots reach the pipe and actually start growing into the cracks. Eventually, this may result in the need for Sewer Line Repair in Colorado Springs if backups into the home become relatively frequent.
Backups occur when the roots block waste material and other items going down the sewer pipe, such as tampons or sanitary wipes. When the blockage becomes large enough, normal flushing of waste down the toilet or washing machine water through the laundry pipe leads to a backup. A service such as Rapid Response Plumbing can clear away the obstruction, including the roots in the pipe. If everyone in the house quits flushing anything besides toilet paper and human waste, there might never be a problem again. Unfortunately, however, tree roots tend to keep moving into the cracks, and they can eventually snarl up inside the pipe, leading to another backup. If the cracks become large enough, that may lead to sewage leaking out underground, which can become a health hazard.
After a number of these incidents, homeowners usually become frustrated enough that they schedule sewer line repair in Colorado Springs. The contractor locates the source of the problem with a video camera run down the pipe all the way to where it meets the municipal sewer line in the street. Depending on the circumstances, some excavation may be necessary, or a trenchless method may be used. The problem can be resolved by replacing the damaged part of the pipe or installing a liner that is impervious to tree roots. If the ground around the sewer line is dug up, a herbicide to kill roots nearby can be applied. This does not harm the tree, as the tree does not soak up the substance. The homeowner no longer has to worry about sewer backups, but everyone should still refrain from flushing things like feminine hygiene products and baby wipes.
