When you think about what causes blocked drains, how often do you say tree root intrusion? Despite being one of the biggest causes of blocks in drainage systems across the UK, tree roots are often overlooked. However, if roots penetrate your drains in Dartford, they can inflict serious damage. Frequent examples include overflowing grids or manholes as well as subsidence problems attributed to leaking pipes.
In fact, the potential for damage is so high that most surveyors undertaking a pre-purchase survey on a house recommend having the drains inspect if near trees, hedges or shrubs.
In this blog, we introduce tree root intrusion, from how and why they enter drains to possible repair solutions. At PMB Environmental Ltd, we not only clear blocked drains caused by root damage, but also fix any structural issues to the drainage system too.
Tree roots penetrate drainage systems through weak points in the pipework. These include:
Whether in Dartford or any other UK location, most drainage systems consist of collar and spigot pipes of vitrified clay jointed with sand and cement. These joints provide little resistance to fine tree roots.
Once inside, these fine roots develop into tap roots before becoming root masses. At this point, they reduce the internal bore of the pipe which leads to blocked drains.
Modern drainage systems use rubber sealed couplings to join pipes. However, these are still prone to tree root ingress when not surrounded in concrete or protected by a specialist root barrier.
Tree roots grow in search of water. As such, they are naturally attracted to the condensation that occurs on the outer walls of drainage pipes. Likewise, they also grow toward moisture leaking from damaged pipes or joints. In short, tree roots are simply looking for a nutritious feed.
Disturbed ground makes for much easier travel when it comes to root growth, especially when compared to virgin ground. If your Dartford property, or adjacent land, has had excavation work for trenches, drains, house foundations or services, you may experience faster root growth. Tree roots also grow well in porous and granular sub-bases for patios and driveways.
During excavation work on root-damaged systems, it’s clear to see, even at a depth of two or three metres, roots following the original trench wall line down to the pipework. In such cases, you usually then find a single large taproot running along the drain with smaller roots branching off at every collar.
First and foremost, if you experience damaged or blocked drains in Dartford due to root intrusion, only professional repair work will suffice. The extent of the drainage repair, however, depends on how severe the intrusion is.
If the roots access your system via the joints, but there’s no major displacement to these features, we can cut the roots away and perform a relining. In cases with displaced joints, or fracturing, you only face the solution of excavation work.
The drainage systems beneath Dartford properties differ from one to the next, if not by design then by the amount of damage. PMB Environmental Ltd provides bespoke solutions tailored to your specific requirements for the most effective results.