How Can Trees Affect My Plumbing?

Trees are like nature’s heroes; they throw awesome shade parties, purify our air, and do a bunch more cool stuff. They’re not just good; they’re **great** for us. Ever gagged on dirty air? Yuck, right? Well, trees are our best buds in keeping that air as fresh as a crisp morning. And guess what? There’s a secret side to trees not everyone knows about. They’re like magicians in how they manage to keep our planet cool and our air clean. Folks who dig nature or want to breathe cleaner air are going to love diving into this. By the end, you’ll be itching to hug the nearest tree for being such an unsung hero. Stick around, and you might just learn something that’ll blow your mind.

But according to our plumbing team, these trees can also affect your plumbing.

Here, we will discuss how trees can impact your pipes and the type of trees you need to avoid to protect your home from any unwanted leaks or clogs.

How Do Trees Affect Plumbing?

Tree roots can have a detrimental effect on your plumbing if they get too close to it.

The roots will expand and may cause your pipes to disconnect from the soil, warp, rupture, or develop cracks in their sides.

If tree roots are present near your drain pipes, they may force the pipe material apart from as water circulates through them.

In some cases, these trees actually make their way up into the sewer line and damage it was well.

This could be an expensive fix for anyone who catches this problem early enough, but dealing with this issue when you’re already having a lot of problems elsewhere might not be worth it at all.

Even if you decide that cleaning out tree branches and other obstacles is something you can take care of yourself, there are risks involved in doing this and it’s not always possible to do without professional tools.

While most trees are harmless, some types of them can help drain the water from your pipes because they have a root system that is shallow enough for it to reach into the pipeline.

When this happens, you can expect piping damage, which could lead to expensive repairs, even in homes where the trees are on their property.

The best way you can protect your plumbing from tree damage is by making sure that you have a professional tree management company that is qualified to work in the areas where your trees are located.

You may also be able to prevent the damage by wrapping your pipes in insulation, which can provide a layer of protection for the water systems.

Other than preventing pipe damages, it will also help keep temperature fluctuations low and save you on energy costs.

Types of Trees Known to Cause Plumbing Damage

There are trees that aren’t harmful to your piping, but there are specific ones you need to be aware of. All trees are different, and knowing what trees are more likely to cause damage can help you avoid future plumbing issues.

Magnolia Trees Can Affect Your Plumbing 

Magnolia trees are trees that are common in Malaysia and tend to have smooth bark. The Magnolia is a tree that loves the sun- they grow to be about 100 feet tall and exist in swamp or wetland habitats. They can cause damage around your house since their roots will seek out any cracks in paving, brickwork, pipes, or drains that may lead to blockages.

If you’ve got magnolia trees in your backyard, be sure to examine and inspect them constantly to avoid unwanted issues.

Plumbing System Gets Damaged By Willow Trees

Willow trees may look nice, but they can be a real problem for your plumbing system.

Willow trees are typically found in wet areas and often have branches that grow horizontally near the ground or water. The roots of willows also tend to seek out gaps in paving bricks, which may cause pipe leakage problems such as basement flooding.

If you’re considering planting willow trees, be sure you take into consideration the placement of these trees.

Oak Trees Damage Plumbing 

Oak trees are one of the worst trees you can have damaged your pipes because their roots can spread up to 100 feet out from the base of the tree.

Oak trees produce a large amount of sap known as tannin which will penetrate into your pipes and damage them, making it difficult for water to flow through them.

The leaves in oak trees also have a tendency to form deposits that clog sewer lines leading to backups and clogs in the pipes.

If you are planning on planting oak trees, be sure to place them at least 100 feet away from your main water source or sewer lines.

Conclusion

Now that you’re aware of how trees can affect your plumbing system, you can take proper steps to ensure your pipes are not at risk.

Even if you have a few of these trees in your yard, it is important to maintain them by keeping the roots from obstructing water and drain lines or creating leak points for tanks.

If you have any other concerns with plumbing, don’t hesitate to reach out!