ᐅ Risk to Water and Drainage Pipes from Tree and Shrub Roots
Created on: 9 Feb 2015 18:35
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willWohnen
Hello,
I have read that tree roots can cause significant damage to water or sewage pipes. However, these issues mostly come from older houses, where the pipes were often made of clay. The problem usually starts when small leaks allow water to escape, attracting roots that then grow toward the source.
Additional note: not only trees are potentially "dangerous," but also shrubs like lilac or butterfly bush.
In our case, the utility lines—electricity, internet, water, sewage—unfortunately run diagonally across the front yard. I would like to plant bushes or trees there. Our water pipes are made of plastic.
Apparently, root barriers made from sufficiently thick membranes can be installed. However, most of our lines have already been backfilled. I don’t want to make a mountain out of a molehill or spend money unnecessarily to dig everything up and install membranes (especially since I don’t know how to do that professionally). But I would like to plant my front yard with peace of mind and avoid having to excavate everything in 15 years.
It’s a complex topic. I am hoping for the following advice:
o Who has real, concrete experience with root-related utility line problems?
o Who has heard about this issue during their home and garden construction and possibly taken measures against it?
o Where could I turn to—what professional group, authority, or website has experienced experts on this matter?
Thanks and best regards
I have read that tree roots can cause significant damage to water or sewage pipes. However, these issues mostly come from older houses, where the pipes were often made of clay. The problem usually starts when small leaks allow water to escape, attracting roots that then grow toward the source.
Additional note: not only trees are potentially "dangerous," but also shrubs like lilac or butterfly bush.
In our case, the utility lines—electricity, internet, water, sewage—unfortunately run diagonally across the front yard. I would like to plant bushes or trees there. Our water pipes are made of plastic.
Apparently, root barriers made from sufficiently thick membranes can be installed. However, most of our lines have already been backfilled. I don’t want to make a mountain out of a molehill or spend money unnecessarily to dig everything up and install membranes (especially since I don’t know how to do that professionally). But I would like to plant my front yard with peace of mind and avoid having to excavate everything in 15 years.
It’s a complex topic. I am hoping for the following advice:
o Who has real, concrete experience with root-related utility line problems?
o Who has heard about this issue during their home and garden construction and possibly taken measures against it?
o Where could I turn to—what professional group, authority, or website has experienced experts on this matter?
Thanks and best regards
EveundGerd18 Feb 2015 23:16Did you want to green the garage with it or place it next to it?
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willWohnen18 Feb 2015 23:21Uh, well, both actually. I would have placed it next to the western side and then guided it up to the roof using wires or another climbing aid. Up there, it could have grown freely.
EveundGerd18 Feb 2015 23:35I would rather plant a clematis or a climbing rose, or both. These two grow well together. Just avoid rambler roses, as they tend to spread aggressively. Those are better suited for old trees.
Roses combined with periwinkle or boxwood in the garden would also work. Both have relatively shallow root systems, which I know from experience. In between, you could add Russian sage, which is a perennial and gets along well with roses. It also attracts bees and can be easily pruned if it becomes too unruly. It will grow back during summer. Avoid lavender near roses!
How large is the area we’re talking about here?
Roses combined with periwinkle or boxwood in the garden would also work. Both have relatively shallow root systems, which I know from experience. In between, you could add Russian sage, which is a perennial and gets along well with roses. It also attracts bees and can be easily pruned if it becomes too unruly. It will grow back during summer. Avoid lavender near roses!
How large is the area we’re talking about here?
EveundGerd18 Feb 2015 23:37willWohnen schrieb:
Uh, well, both actually. I would have placed it on the west side next to it and then guided it up to the roof using wires or another climbing aid. Up there, it could have grown wildly. Just for your information: It can grow up to 15 m (49 feet) per year and entangles itself tightly. To top it off, it also woodifies quite a bit. In that case, you’d more likely have to remove the entire trellis.W
willWohnen18 Feb 2015 23:51No, no, I would have just made something temporary as a climbing aid, like some floral wire or something. I already know that it will grow vigorously. I think it’s great. I would have really liked it if it had curled its arch up there on the flat garage roof. And when such a strong Japanese knotweed blooms, what could be more beautiful?
I even specifically planned the house downpipes on the other side to keep them safe, even though the garage doesn't directly touch the house.
So it would have been a good spot to just let the knotweed be knotweed.
And at my grandmother’s place, the birds loved the woody ball—it was their nesting spot every year, and there was always chirping going on inside it.
I even specifically planned the house downpipes on the other side to keep them safe, even though the garage doesn't directly touch the house.
So it would have been a good spot to just let the knotweed be knotweed.
And at my grandmother’s place, the birds loved the woody ball—it was their nesting spot every year, and there was always chirping going on inside it.
EveundGerd19 Feb 2015 00:52Well then, you can still make your dream come true and pursue it.
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