treesSummertime in New England means hot days, warm nights and lots of green growth from the coastline all the way to the hills. Unfortunately, as the grass and flowers bloom and grow in the summer months, so do trees and other large landscaping items that can find their way into your septic pipes. The roots of these big trees and bushes stretch to locate sources of water and other nutrients important to their growth and survival. A septic system provides trees with everything they need all in one convenient location.

How It Works
Tree roots work their way into a septic system through small cracks and sometimes even joints within the pipes. Once a tiny toe-hold of the root gets in, that’s when sewage blockage and back-ups will begin to happen. As the root of the tree continues to grow and gain larger access to your pipes, the chance of those blocked septic pipes completely breaking and leaking sewage into your yard also increases.

If you are experiencing slow drainage, it might indicate that you have blocked septic pipes. If you suspect that you might have tree roots making their way into your pipes, it is in your best interest to contact a professional New Bedford septic repair service to investigate the situation and find a solution before things get out of hand.

As the pipes become more and more blocked, the sewage and wastewater in your septic system will begin to accumulate, causing your system to fail. Costs associated with a failed septic system for any reason can be extremely high. It is in your best interest to prevent tree roots from ever getting into your septic pipes in the first place.

Fixing the Problem
If you have a septic system, you are likely aware of the dangers associated with putting any type of chemical down your drain – even in an attempt to kill tree roots. The negative side effects associated with using chemical treatments outweighs any benefits that you might receive. They are designed to work for the treatment of small roots and are not recommended for use in homes with septic systems. Even if you already have a failed septic system, it is important to refrain from using chemical treatments of any kind.

Contact a local New Bedford septic repair service, such as All-Clear Septic & Wastewater. Located in the Southeastern Massachusetts area, All-Clear is licensed to perform service, repairs and even inspections on septic systems in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Their highly trained service staff and technicians can help you to find a safe and effective solution for your blocked septic pipes that will protect your septic equipment.

This usually involves the use of an auger. The service technician will run the auger through your blocked septic pipes to cut the roots and clear the sewage blockage. Trees are very persistent and will likely cause more than one blockage at a time, so it is important to do everything you can to prevent this from happening again.

Worst case scenario, you might have to replace your older sewage lines to ensure that there aren’t any cracks or access points in the joints. This will prevent tree roots from being able to get back inside your pipes, resulting in a failed septic system. Your New Bedford septic repair service technician can help you find the most cost-effective solution to your problem that will help you save time and money over the life of your septic system.

Prevention is Key
The best way to treat tree roots that can cause a failed septic system is to prevent it from ever happening in the first place. Know your septic system and find out where the drainfield and sewage tank are all located on your property. If you don’t have a map of your system, check with your local records department. They are required to keep a map of each Massachusetts and Rhode Island home’s septic system layout on file.

Take a look at your drainfield. What type of landscaping do you have in this area? If your property is littered with trees and bushes, you will want to remove them from the area surrounding and on top of your drainfield. The only thing that should ever be planted over your drainfield is short-rooted grasses. These grasses help to prevent erosion of the soil, without creating potential problems caused by extensive root growth.

If you remove trees and bushes, make sure to remove the stump and roots as well. Some types of trees will continue growing beneath the surface, even when the trunk, branches and leaves are all removed. Hire a professional company to do this and do not rely on chemical solutions to kill the roots, as they might leach into the drainfield and down into your septic system.

For more tips on taking care of your residential or commercial septic system and how to prevent a failed septic system from occurring, contact All-Clear Septic & Wastewater at 508-763-4431. With over 15 years of experience serving customers throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Cape Cod, All-Clear Septic can help you with all of your preventative maintenance, repair, Title V Inspection, Rhode Island Town Inspection and other service needs.