Tree Roots Invading Pipes

This is a notice about a problem that two unit owners have experienced and that others should be aware of.

Two RWC1 homeowners have had pipes serviced because their unit became clogged with plant roots.


RWC1 Board has been advised by a licensed plumber that when the weather is as dry as it has been for the last 1-1/2 years in this area, it is not uncommon for a sewer pipe to have a very little crack or separation, or even a little bubble in the adhesive that is used to piece the pipes together, through which a plant root enters.

Plants have very small hair roots, or feeder roots, which are miniscule fiberous roots. Those roots help absorb moisture and are what helps the plants to grow. But again, in the dry weather of this summer and last, they are in desperate search of water. They will go wherever the water is, hence, the sewer pipe. All it takes is the most miniscule of cracks and those roots will find their way in. Once inside, they will grow larger and larger, until eventually they clog the line, which requires a plumber to come out and clear the line with a sewer rodder.

The plumber has recommend that if homeowners are concerned this happening to them, there are the following options:

1) Go to a nursery and purchase a product called “Root-X” which you just get down into you sewer pipes by flushing and it kills the root hairs and prevents them from becoming an issue. The nursery will be provide specific use instructions based on typical usage in her unit.

2) It is also recommended that maybe once a year, owners in an area experiencing these problems hire a plumber to go down the sewer pipe with a sewer machine with cutter heads on the end. That would clear out any roots that may be branching out and get them before they cause a clog.