Will Sewer Jetting Permanently Solve Your Tree Root Problem?
Tree root intrusion is a common, frustrating, and sometimes costly issue faced by many homeowners. Trees use their roots to seek out new sources of nutrients, and the wastewater from your home is a treasure trove for them. Roots can move towards even tiny cracks or gaps in your pipes, and they can rapidly expand once inside. While this is good for the trees, it's less appealing to most homeowners.
Tree roots that do make their way into your plumbing can cause several problems. As they expand, they can damage the pipe. Even without causing additional physical damage, roots will block up your sewer line and ultimately generate more clogs. If you clear a clog only to have it return, you may have a woody intruder in your pipes.
Why Are Roots So Challenging to Remove?
If you've ever tried to dig up the roots from an old tree, then you know that they can be tough. The roots in your pipes are no exception. Typical methods of drain cleaning will often fail to remove all but the smallest roots, and at best, they may only loosen material stuck to them. This situation can give a false impression that you've solved the problem when you've only delayed the inevitable.
Getting your plumbing back in order means that you'll need to find a way to solve the problem permanently, and that's where heavy-duty equipment comes into play. Professional drain cleaners rely on inspection cameras, hydro jets, and heavy-duty augers to get this job done correctly and permanently.
What Steps Will a Professional Take?
If you've got a persistent sewer line clog, then a professional drain cleaner will usually attempt to break up the problem with three steps:
- Inspect
- Jet or auger, as needed
- Inspect again
Correctly identifying any problem is key to solving it, so most plumbers will use an inspection camera to locate and evaluate the underlying issue. Hydro jets are a vital part of this process, but when to use them will depend on the size of the roots. For smaller roots, a hydro jet alone will usually be sufficient to solve the problem.
If you've got a bigger problem on your hands, then your drain cleaner will first need to break up the heavier roots with a professional-grade auger. Once done, they'll use their hydro jet to clear out debris and anything small that remains. Finally, they'll use their drain camera to guarantee that they've permanently solved the underlying issue.
Although this process may not seem complicated, it relies on professional equipment and know-how to permanently resolve your clog. Working with an experienced plumber with the right tools can mean the difference between solving your issue for good and facing recurring sewer clogs. Contact a plumber for more information about sewer jetting.