What Causes Roots to Grow in Pipes?
Roots are attracted to water vapor that escapes through cracks or loose joints in sewer pipes. This means roots will move towards and penetrate through cracks, loose joints or any openings in sewer pipes. This happens even in the winter when trees appear to be dormant. Once inside, roots will continue to grow and fill the pipe to create a root mass that can become matted with grease, paper and other solid matter. This is what eventually causes a clogged sewer. As roots continue to grow within a pipe, they begin to expand and exert pressure at their point of entry. This can result in a pipe rupture. A ruptured sewer pipe can be costly to fix or replace. Signs that a sewer is blocked include slow flowing drains, gurgling sounds from a toilet bowl and wet areas around washing machine floor drains. A pipe that is not cleared will become completely blocked and may rupture.
