If you have an unidentified stoppage in your plumbing and there doesn’t seem to be any problem emanating from inside the home, your trouble could be caused by that wonderful shade tree in the yard. Root systems can break or lift lateral sewer lines. Sometimes they may force the line downward, which is known as “bellying”. Any of these conditions can be enough to stop the plumbing works in your residence.
When your sewer line was first set the tree may have been small or non-existent, but, over time, the roots grow longer and thicker. The tree might even be one that is growing in your neighbor’s yard. So, what can be done to alleviate the situation? Obviously, some digging will be involved. You may be able to locate the breakage or shift in the line easily if you spy wet spots in the yard or places where the soil has compacted, causing a depression, but that won’t always be the case. Tree roots don’t grow in straight lines, so the tree that’s causing you grief may be some distance away.
If you can find the area where the trouble is located, you can lop off part of the root system and repair or replace the damaged pipe. You’ll need to exercise care so as not to destroy the tree with your excavation. Then, after fixing the pipe, you may want to install plastic root guards to ward off future headaches.
You don’t want a yard that looks like an army of prairie dogs moved in as you try to find the source of the problem, so it could make a lot of sense to get professional help with your sewer problems right away.
