ᐅ Risk to Water and Drainage Pipes from Tree and Shrub Roots
Created on: 9 Feb 2015 18:35
W
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
M
MünchnerKindl20 Feb 2015 15:43We currently have two of these in the garden, which are planned to be used with ... but they will need to be placed in the back area of the garden.
EveundGerd21 Mar 2015 17:08I went to the nursery today to get advice.
Serviceberry trees have heart-shaped root systems. Their roots grow as large as the canopy.
I am now going to plant grasses near the water pipe. Feather grass
Serviceberry trees have heart-shaped root systems. Their roots grow as large as the canopy.
I am now going to plant grasses near the water pipe. Feather grass
M
MünchnerKindl21 Mar 2015 18:45Hello,
after our on-site appointment last week, it is now certain that we will encounter similar conditions.
We want to integrate the front yard into the garden, let’s see how we will design that.
Best regards
after our on-site appointment last week, it is now certain that we will encounter similar conditions.
We want to integrate the front yard into the garden, let’s see how we will design that.
Best regards
W
willWohnen11 Apr 2015 22:11Hello everyone,
thank you for your contributions.
My husband has done some research and found that there is now a technique where companies can inspect drainage pipes from the inside using a camera. If roots have grown inside, they are cut out and the spots are sealed with epoxy resin – all from the inside and without digging up the pipes. Basically, it’s done “endoscopically.” I don’t know the cost, but this at least makes me a bit more relaxed about the garage. It would definitely be less work than digging up paths and soil.
Unfortunately, this is not a solution for the areas further west along our house wall because drinking water pipes and hoses with cooling liquids are also buried there.
But maybe this info will help you.
At least for me, either knotweed or roses will grow by the garage!
If the house stays bare, small boxwood spheres and perennials will be planted in front anyway, so be it.
Best regards
thank you for your contributions.
My husband has done some research and found that there is now a technique where companies can inspect drainage pipes from the inside using a camera. If roots have grown inside, they are cut out and the spots are sealed with epoxy resin – all from the inside and without digging up the pipes. Basically, it’s done “endoscopically.” I don’t know the cost, but this at least makes me a bit more relaxed about the garage. It would definitely be less work than digging up paths and soil.
Unfortunately, this is not a solution for the areas further west along our house wall because drinking water pipes and hoses with cooling liquids are also buried there.
But maybe this info will help you.
At least for me, either knotweed or roses will grow by the garage!
If the house stays bare, small boxwood spheres and perennials will be planted in front anyway, so be it.
Best regards
EveundGerd11 Apr 2015 22:35The inlay method was used in our house, which we sold last year, due to water damage. It is not cheap! It cost nearly 2,000 € for 9 meters (30 feet).
We are currently working with our excavation contractor, who also partially acts as a landscaper, on the critical area.
The gardener recommends various ornamental grasses.
I hope we will finish the parking spaces in four weeks. Then I can provide more details about the plants.
We are currently working with our excavation contractor, who also partially acts as a landscaper, on the critical area.
The gardener recommends various ornamental grasses.
I hope we will finish the parking spaces in four weeks. Then I can provide more details about the plants.
W
willWohnen11 Apr 2015 22:512000 €! Ouch. Still probably much cheaper than having to remove pavers, excavate soil, take out pipes, and then put everything back.
Oh well, unfortunately, these grasses are not to my taste... They are always planted like this at offices and clinics, long stretches of sedge grass.
I think I always have my grandmother’s garden in mind.
I want sprawling shrubs, vines, and flowers!
But avoiding damage and keeping it easy to maintain comes first. So I’ll just do whatever I want in the back garden!
Oh well, unfortunately, these grasses are not to my taste... They are always planted like this at offices and clinics, long stretches of sedge grass.
I think I always have my grandmother’s garden in mind.
I want sprawling shrubs, vines, and flowers!
But avoiding damage and keeping it easy to maintain comes first. So I’ll just do whatever I want in the back garden!
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