5 Plants That Ruin Sewers

Plants can make a property more beautiful and improve its personality and atmosphere. No wonder so many homeowners put a great deal of thought into deciding which plants and trees to add to their yard. However, many people fail to consider a crucial aspect of any planting decision for their property: the possibility of using plants that ruin sewers when “sprucing” up their residence.

Although it may not be fun to think about, your friends at Bob Oates Sewer & Rooter are here to tell you that many plants used in outdoor decoration can wreak havoc on sewer systems.

It is crucial that you know which ones can be harmful to plumbing before you purchase them. The right choices ahead of time can prevent a lot of expense (not to mention a big mess!) in sewer repairs down the road.

The following list should help homeowners see which plants and trees they should avoid planting if they don’t wish to put their outdoor plumbing at risk.

What Do Plants Have to Do With Plumbing and Sewers?

Before we list some of the key culprits, let’s provide an overview of why plants can damage plumbing and what kind of damage they can cause.

The main reasons that plants end up damaging plumbing systems is because they need more space or more water than is being made available to them.

Plants that need a lot of space for their root systems and don’t have enough will extend into areas that are occupied by sewer lines. Similarly, plants that have high water needs will grow their roots into the nearest water source, which may be the ground pipes.

When this type of growth happens, plant roots surround and penetrate into the pipes — what we call tree root invasion in the business. This may cause leaks and clogs, a potential nightmare for the homeowner.

Plants That Damage Sewers

1. Oak Trees

Oaks are very slow growers. As a result, the damage they can do has a tendency to sneak up very quietly and gradually on homeowners. Their root networks are extremely elaborate and are based around “tap roots,” which are sturdy and grow straight down. These root networks can surround and destroy pipes.

2. Holly Bushes

Due to their beauty, holly bushes appeal to many homeowners, who make the understandable mistake of planting them close to the foundation of their home. Very often, this places the plants in close proximity to sewer lines.

Holly roots will grow into any crack or crevice they can find, and once inside a pipe, the roots will continue to grow and clog it.

3. Willow Trees

Due to their thirst for a great deal of water, willow trees are typically found close to bodies of water. When people decide to plant willow trees in their yards, they often fail to realize that their plants will probably not have access to as much water as they need to grow properly.

As willow trees get bigger and their craving for moisture grows, the roots will often seek out pipes to get access to sufficient water. With over 30 years in the PNW, the team at Bob Oates has become specialists in how to tackle roots in pipes, repairing damaged sewer lines all across Seattle.

4. Ivy Plants

Ivy is one of the fastest-growing plants around. As a result, the damage it will do to plumbing can be very swift, and the reason it’s on our “plants that ruin sewers” list.

If ivy begins to grow near pipes, the roots will swiftly surround and obstruct them. For this reason, ivy plants are actually banned from cultivation in many areas.

5. Birch Trees

Their beautiful white-and-black bark makes birches extremely popular. They can grow to a height of more than fifty feet. However, the root system will grow to be three times the length of the tree!

Despite the birch tree’s great need for space, homeowners like to put them in their yards. Without enough space to expand to its full potential, a birch tree’s root system will almost inevitably cause sewer damage. In fact, tree roots are one of the main causes of cracked pipes that we see on a day-to-day basis.

Wrapping Up

We hope you find the above information useful. Plants and trees are indeed beautiful additions to our yards. Armed with the above knowledge, you now have a better handle on plants that ruin sewers — and how to avoid that becoming your reality.

As always, the crew here at Bob Oates is here to help, including via our FAQ page or direct (free!) advice over the phone. Don’t hesitate to give us a call or reach out to us anytime c/o our contact page!