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
MünchnerKindl29 Apr 2015 18:53I can definitely imagine alternating with shrubs or hydrangeas like that.
EveundGerd29 Apr 2015 23:05I am planning to plant holly as a hedge. However, not in the endangered area, but along the street and a bit up the driveway, about 40 linear meters (130 feet). I am considering female Alaska holly (with red berries in autumn) and would plant a male holly tree as a standard near the terrace for pollination.
Hydrangeas are not really my preference. Besides, our property is too sunny for most types.
I need suggestions for a stone or gravel bed / shaded bed. It is located between the house and the carport, falls within the endangered area concerning underground utilities, and should help to break up the paved area. I can upload a picture tomorrow. I only want to place three to four containers. I was thinking about seasonal planting. What do you think?
The paving will be in a shell limestone color.
Hydrangeas are not really my preference. Besides, our property is too sunny for most types.
I need suggestions for a stone or gravel bed / shaded bed. It is located between the house and the carport, falls within the endangered area concerning underground utilities, and should help to break up the paved area. I can upload a picture tomorrow. I only want to place three to four containers. I was thinking about seasonal planting. What do you think?
The paving will be in a shell limestone color.
M
MünchnerKindl30 Apr 2015 12:15As I said, everyone has their likes and dislikes. I really like hydrangeas.
For ideas, I always search the internet... google and then look at pictures.
I can definitely imagine a gravel bed, occasionally interrupted by a section of your paving stones; such "repetitions" create a coherent look. You can also seasonally plant the containers, with a standard tree and seasonal flowers underneath.
For ideas, I always search the internet... google and then look at pictures.
I can definitely imagine a gravel bed, occasionally interrupted by a section of your paving stones; such "repetitions" create a coherent look. You can also seasonally plant the containers, with a standard tree and seasonal flowers underneath.
EveundGerd30 Apr 2015 19:11I tried planting small shrubs underneath last year. At first, it looked great, but towards the end... I just need to gather a few more ideas.
At the moment, I’m mentally a bit exhausted when it comes to ideas and the house construction. ops:
At the moment, I’m mentally a bit exhausted when it comes to ideas and the house construction. ops:
M
MünchnerKindl1 May 2015 14:59Summer flowers sometimes don’t look as nice toward the end of the season. I have had good experiences with lobelias, which still look attractive even at the end of summer.
EveundGerd1 May 2015 17:53Thanks for the tip. I hadn’t thought of lobelias yet.