One question often asked by homeowners is how to prevent tree roots from growing and blocking drains. While there are many methods you can employ to keep the roots of your trees from spreading, it is not always possible or practical to eradicate all of the tree roots in a given area. The root system of a tree is much deeper and more tangled than its leaves. Roots can penetrate the bark of the tree and extend throughout the structure. For a Drain Lining Company to help with pipes damaged by roots, consider Wilkinson Environmental
Roots need access to water and nutrients to grow. They will search for these things and will try to take as many of them up as they can. They are also spread out very thinly throughout the entire tree and will typically only seek out the areas where there is contact with the ground such as the trunk, where they attach themselves and start to grow. So while eliminating the visible tree roots is one way to prevent the growth of new ones, that is not always the best approach. It is much better to prevent the roots from getting a start in the first place so you don’t have any surprises later.
If you have existing trees, roots can be a major problem and you do not want to wait until you have had an especially bad storm before you plan to try and prevent the roots from growing back. In areas with clay soil, tree roots will seek out moist, warm areas. Soil that has already been damaged by storms or other types of damage may already have a layer of water on it and the roots will seek it out and attach themselves.
Invasive plants and damage below ground
Tree roots are not the only plant threat to your pipes. Invasive species can spread quickly, and their roots can push into important pipes and block them. Japanese knotweed is one of the best-known examples, because it grows deep into the soil and can damage pipework and foundations if left unchecked.
These plants also spread beyond your boundary. They can move into neighbouring gardens and travel along waterways, and if an invasive plant spreads from your land to a neighbour’s, you may have to pay for the whole removal, which can involve excavation. Even with treatment, some species take several seasons to clear completely.
The best defence is to identify any invasive plants on your property early and remove them before they cause more damage. Because they have no native predators or diseases to hold them back, they grow and reproduce fast and crowd out native plants. Take care when visiting places where they grow, so you do not carry seeds home.
