The
underground pipes that carry sewage away from your home
and water to your home were installed 40,50,60 even up
to 100 years ago.
You
are responsible for maintenance of these pipes even if
they travel under sidewalks, streets,and other public
structures and right of ways.
Most
of the sewerage pipes were made of organic material such
as clay or concrete and are rapidly deteriorating? Many
of these pipes were even made of a material very similar
to the asphalt shingles on your roof. It has been banned
since the early seventies, but your pipe may be made of
this material. Roots grow right through the walls of this
pipe.
Roots
invade all these pipe materials as the joints were placed
every three feet and they were not sealed? Roots can easily
break a sidewalk or even a road, and those structures
are up to 10 times as thick as the pipes servicing your
house. Plus, the roots are specifically attacking your
pipes to get at the water inside.
Cutting
the roots with some sort of drain cleaning snake like
a plumbers use can actually exacerbate the problem? When
cut, plant roots secrete an acid as a defense. This acid
causes the roots to grow thicker-further separating the
pipe sections and allowing dirt and rocks to enter the
pipe. Installing a root killer is like patching a bald
tire. Don’t waste your money.
Water
lines made of metal materials (copper, galvanized)in the
ground often react with electricity in the soil, causing
the pipe to weaken and develop pinholes. Rust, scale and
mineral deposits develop inside the pipes causing them
to become narrowed inside and restrict flow.
