Plant trees and shrubs at least ten feet away from sewer lines. Bear in mind that this does not necessarily guarantee no root intrusion issues down the line: some tree species are able to reach sewer lines nearly 100 feet away. Choose types of trees with close-spreading roots that pose little threat to sewer lines.
Keep all trees and shrubs at least 10 feet away from your sewer lateral. This goes for even the smallest, slowest growing species. Trees with spreading roots and species that require large amounts of water should be planted at least 20 feet from any underground pipe or utility line.
Golden raintree is a recommended tree for urban landscapes near sewer lines. Smoketree is a unique, diminutive tree with a small root system.
Eventually, the root growth will add too much pressure to the pipe, causing it to break and collapse, leaving you with thousands of dollars in needed repairs.
Tall growing trees should be planted a minimum of 20 feet away from power lines, and 50 feet away to avoid future pruning. A mature height of less than 15 feet is recommended for trees planted near power lines. Do not plant near underground utility services.
Woodland planting may only be carried out at distances greater than 10.0 metres from the pipe or sewer.
You probably know that trees and other plants require water and nutrients to grow, but did you know that when the ground lacks moisture, their roots will seek out any other available water source? This can result in roots infiltrating and causing damage to leaking or defective sewer pipes or joints.
For instance, residential sewer line depth ranges from 18 to 30 inches. However, city sewer line depths are different. Your city's sewer lines must always be deeper than the deepest residential pipe to allow waste to flow downhill. As such, these lines can go as deep as needed.
Use a Pipe Liner
When the resin hardens, it forms a seamless, watertight barrier that will protect the existing pipe from further damage. Furthermore, the pipe lining process can help to deflect tree roots away from pipes and prevent them from further penetrating and causing blockages.
Tree roots can grow into sewer pipes in a matter of weeks or take several years, depending on conditions. Symptoms include slow drains, strange odors, and sinkholes in your yard. Tree roots seek out moisture from even the smallest pipe cracks.
When considering what to plant near sewer pipes, especially over drain fields, opting for shallow-rooted plants is key. Grasses and small, non-invasive ground covers are ideal, as they pose minimal risk to underground systems. For instance, ornamental grasses, clover, or creeping thyme can be safely planted.
Direct all surface drainage away from the septic system. Use shallow-rooted plants (see plant list above). Tree and shrub roots can grow into the drainlines, clogging and breaking them. Avoid water-loving plants and trees.
Golden raintree is a recommended tree for urban landscapes near sewer lines. Smoketree is a unique, diminutive tree with a small root system.
So, if a tree sits on the property line, it's considered common property and you are both owners. For this reason, you can't legally plant a tree on the property line without permission from your neighbor. It's best to plan trees three to four feet from all property lines to leave room for future growth.
So, while tree subsidence is not a common occurrence, it's important to think about where you are planting in relation to the house. Don't plant an oak two metres from your front door, for example. The recommended minimum distance to plant a new tree from a building is five metres.
In some cases, tree roots can cause sewer pipes to crack or even collapse if enough pressure is on the pipe.
But generally, PVC pipes are highly resistant to root intrusions. Why Are Tree Roots Attracted To Pipes? The tips of tree roots can naturally detect the slightest differences in the level of moisture nearby so they are attracted to the warm water flow that is in sewer pipes in your yard.
Type of Problem or Repair
Removing tree roots, a common sewer line repair service can cost $300 to $1,100, depending on the method used. ¹ Snaking a line is at the lower end of the price range.
Sewer lines come in a variety of depths. They can range in depth from 12″ to 30″ and can be as deep as 6+ ft. Often, it's only a matter of the environment and climate.
Your sanitation district will be able to tell you the approximate depth by going off the plats of how that sewer system was laid out, along with all the laterals, manholes, turns of direction. Everything in Plumbing can be repaired or replaced.
Believe it or not, plumbing pipes under a slab house foundation is typically 12 to 24 inches deep. The pipes are installed into trenches and then buried before the rebar, wire mesh, and concrete slab are poured.
Plant trees and shrubs at least ten feet away from sewer lines. Bear in mind that this does not necessarily guarantee no root intrusion issues down the line: some tree species are able to reach sewer lines nearly 100 feet away. Choose types of trees with close-spreading roots that pose little threat to sewer lines.
Plant trees that grow slowly and whose mature size will be small anywhere near sewer or water lines. If you already have fast-growing trees near the line, plan to replace them often, at a frequency of at least every ten years.