TREE ROOTS

Root infiltration in sewers is probably the most destructive problem a homeowner can have. Several types of trees can be very aggressive when looking for nourishment. Some of these are maples, willows and sycamores. These trees have root systems that grow out in search of water and rich soils. Unfortunately for homeowners, they are attracted to the moisture that forms on the crown of the clay pipe. This type of pipe, also known as terra cotta or vitreous clay pipe, was used for many years in all sewers up until the early 1970's. The moisture develops on the crown of the pipe by condensation. As warm air passes through the cold pipe, condensation from the surrounding soil forms on the outside of the pipe in droplets. These droplets of water attract the roots. Another contributing factor is that the soils have been loosened by excavation when the sewer was installed. This makes rapid root growth even more possible. Once roots find this bed of loose soil, which is the trench line, they travel along the pipe within it in search of more nourishment. Eventually the microscopic root growth finds it's way into the seams between two pieces of pipe. These seams are called joints.

The infiltration of root in the pipe joints is typically when the trouble begins. As the roots grow, cell by cell, they get bigger and hang down inside the pipe like a veil or curtain. This enables the roots to act as a filter for passing solids. The newly formed bunch of roots extract minerals from both the water and the solids they entrap.

The root problem can become more complicated over time if not controlled. As pipes become obstructed by these bunches of roots and debris, the clay pipe line begins to hold water. Clay pipe was installed largely in 2 foot lengths and the joints were sealed with mortar or cement. This type of construction did not create a water tight seal. As time passed the cement would break down and fall out of the joints aided by the pressure of the ever growing roots. Eventually the sewer leaks at the joints. The water escaping from the joints soften the soils that the pipe rests on and the pipe begins to settle. This settling can cause slumps or bellies in the pipe that further impede the flow of the water and solids within. They also cause more water to leak from the pipeline joints. More water of course will cause the soil to become saturated until the water flows along the trench line and washes away the soil under the pipe contributing to its eventual collapse.

Another dynamic occurs when the roots obstruct the flow of water. It causes the roots down stream to grow more aggressively because they are not getting any nutrients. Aggressive root growth downstream usually causes the pipeline to become so impacted with root mass that it resembles a potted plant which has outgrown its pot.

Additionally root growth exudes unusual pressures between the joints of the pipe and laterally on the pipe. This causes the clay pipe to crack and invites further infiltration.

Cutting and controlling roots in a sewer is very important and can be very costly. Many plumbers will simply snake a pipe every so often, perhaps once a year or so. Some will run a snake through the roots and when the water goes down tell you your problem is solved until the roots grow back. This is, in most cases, not true. Roots hang down like a curtain, as previously mentioned. When the snake passes through them they tend to open like a trap door and then closes again when the snake is removed. The process of collecting solids begins anew almost immediately. More diligent plumbers will run cutters through to clear out the bulk of the obstruction. This is an effective method but also has drawbacks. For one thing, most sewers are 6" and only have a 4" access or cleanout. Therefore, only a 4" fixed diameter blade can be inserted into the pipe. The 4" blade can only create a 4" opening leaving a great deal of root mass inside the pipe. These roots that are left will begin to relax and fill in the newly created void in as little as a day or two. Moreover, new growth will begin where the roots have been cut in about 6 weeks. Regrowth in roots occurs much like regrowth of pruned hedges, i.e., where one was cut several more sprout. Thus the roots which were cut away become thicker when they grow back.

A more effective method is to cut the roots away completely, all the way to the pipe joints. Cutting them away completely will provide more time and less regrowth as there will be less stems remaining.

Specialty equipment is required to cut roots away completely. Some of this equipment includes expansion cutters and flail cutters.

Simply cutting away roots is always only a temporary solution to your problem and additional measures should be undertaken to prevent further damage. Chemical root control is a good start. Foam root treatments tend to be the best alternative because they make contact with all the roots and provide more contact time between roots and chemical. Following the manufacturer's instructions are very important to insure maximum effectiveness of these treatments.

The best solution for root infiltration problems is to rehabilitate the pipeline with a pipe liner or "cured in place pipe" process. The liner or CIPP will seal off the roots permanently and renew your pipes structural integrity.

Look for explanations and information about mentioned items throughout this web site.

GREASE

Grease in the sewer can build up on the side walls of pipes and actually reduce the diameter of the pipe. This phenomenon does not just occur in restaurants, but is very common in residential sewers.

Grease buildup is not just caused by fats used to cook foods. They are also caused by soaps and other toiletries that get rinsed into sinks, showers and laundry. As a matter of fact, laundry soaps can cause some of the worst problems a plumber can encounter. The soap bubbles float on top of the water and when they pop they spray a fine residue on the top and sides of the pipes' inner wall.

The advent of antibacterial soap has also caused a great deal of trouble for sewer systems in our country. The soaps don't just kill the staphs, streps and other harmful bacteria we try to protect ourselves and our families from. They are very indiscriminate in their hunt for bacteria. When they come in contact with useful types or strains of bacteria that naturally occur in a pipeline to keep it clean, they kill them also. This enables the greases and soaps to build up and obstruct the pipe. Other household chemicals that have the same effect are chlorine bleach and dishwasher rinse agents.

As this grease problem has become more prevalent, many companies have answered the call to meet consumers' needs and begun to market build-up removers and enzyme treatments. These products introduce the bacteria back into the pipe where it eats away at the residue and digests it. Continued use of enzymes can greatly reduce problems with slow drains and build-up. Additionally enzymes can break down many of the nutrients that tree roots needs, thus starving the root mass.

Once a sewer has been obstructed with grease and sludge, it is often not feasible to expect that a passive method, such as enzyme treatment will solve the problem. Enzymes require time to digest greases. Therefore, a more aggressive approach becomes necessary. The most common approach is to reinstate the pipe diameter by mechanically cutting the greases away from the pipe walls. This method can work, but has many drawbacks. The cutters often are introduced upstream and cause large concentrations of hardened grease clumps to logger jam downstream. This causes more work to re-open the pipe to establish flow. This process can also result in obstructing the main line sewer, which causes a liability with the municipality.

Hydrojetting is typically the best method. However, even this can have drawbacks when done the same way as mechanical cutting. The same situation can occur. The most efficient method is to introduce the hydrojet from the main line back into the building along with a chemical surficant. This will change the density of the grease, thereby causing it to float on top of the water for an extended period of time. It will then clear the lateral sewer you are working on and also the main sewer. This usually will get the greases all the way to the sewage treatment plant, where it can be skimmed off and properly disposed of.

Many times, calcified or hardened grease can be difficult to remove so it is often a requirement to use a hydraulically driven flail cutter and also a spinner type nozzle on the jetter equipment.

When attempting to clear grease clogs, make sure the plumber has all the equipment and accessories to provide this service. Otherwise, the job will be incomplete and you will revisit the problem numerous times. Typically you will find plumbers without these capabilities will encourage excavation and replacement of good pipe. Insist on a proper camera inspection to ensure your pipe has been cleaned and a video to prove it.

SLUMP

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BACKFALL

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COLLASPED PIPE

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INFLOW / INFILTRATION

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OUTFLOW / EXFILTRATION

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SMELLS / ODORS

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