We love our trees in Pennsylvania. They provide shade, beauty, and privacy. But for your septic system, those beautiful trees are a relentless enemy.
Root intrusion is one of the leading causes of septic system failure. It happens slowly and silently. By the time you notice a problem, the damage is often severe. Understanding how this happens and how to stop it is essential for every homeowner in Lackawaxen and the surrounding areas.
Triple J Services specializes in battling these underground invaders. We repair the damage they cause and help you protect your investment.
The Science of Root Intrusion
Roots are smart. They are biological sensors designed to find two things: water and nutrients. Your septic system is full of both.
The water inside your septic tank and drain field pipes is nutrient-rich. It contains nitrogen and phosphorus, which acts like super-fertilizer for trees. Roots do not wander aimlessly. They grow toward moisture gradients. This process is called hydrotropism.
Even a tiny amount of moisture escaping from a pipe joint or a hairline crack sends a signal to nearby trees. The roots follow that signal directly to the source.
How Roots enter the System
You might think your heavy-duty PVC or concrete pipes are impenetrable. Unfortunately, roots are incredibly persistent and strong.
Roots start as microscopic hair-like filaments. These tiny feelers can squeeze through openings the size of a pinhead. They often enter through:
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Pipe Joints: The connections between sections of pipe are the most vulnerable points.
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Cracks: Old clay or concrete pipes develop small stress fractures over time.
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Inspection Ports: Loose covers or unsealed risers provide an entry point.
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Drain Field Perforations: The holes designed to let water out of the leach field also let roots in.
Once the tiny root hair gets inside the nutrient-rich environment of the pipe, it explodes in growth. It feeds on the waste passing through. The root thickens and expands. As it grows in diameter, it exerts immense pressure on the pipe, widening the crack and allowing even more roots to enter.
The Three Stages of Damage
Root damage usually follows a predictable pattern. Catching it early can mean the difference between a simple cleaning and a total replacement.
Stage 1: The Clog
The roots form a mesh-like mat inside the pipe. This acts like a net. It catches toilet paper, grease, and solids that should flow to the tank or drain field. Initially, you might just notice your drains are sluggish. The water eventually seeps through, but the flow is restricted.
Stage 2: The Blockage
The root mass grows until it completely fills the diameter of the pipe. Water can no longer pass. This results in backups inside the house or sewage surfacing in the yard. At this stage, the pipe is still intact, but it is non-functional.
Stage 3: Catastrophic Failure
As the main roots thicken, they act like a wedge. They split the pipe open. In the drain field, roots can completely crush the perforated piping or fill the gravel voids, rendering the soil useless. Once the physical structure of the system is broken, excavation and replacement are usually required.
Warning Signs of Root Intrusion
You do not need X-ray vision to suspect roots are attacking your pipes. Your house will tell you.
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Gurgling Toilets: If your toilet bubbles when you run the shower, air is trapped in the line due to a blockage.
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Slow Draining: If the kitchen sink takes forever to empty, the main line might be choked.
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Wet Areas Near Trees: If you see damp soil or lush grass near a tree that is close to your septic lines, that tree is likely feeding on your wastewater.
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Sudden Backups: A total blockage often happens seemingly out of nowhere after a period of heavy water use.
Dangerous Trees for Septic Systems
Not all trees are created equal. Some have aggressive, fast-growing root systems that pose a much higher risk than others. Knowing what is planted in your yard is your first line of defense.
The Worst Offenders: These trees love water and have roots that travel extensive distances. Avoid planting these within 100 feet of your septic system.
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Willows: Weeping Willows are notorious for seeking water. Their roots are aggressive and span huge distances.
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Maples: Silver Maples and Red Maples have shallow, fast-growing root systems that dominate the upper soil layers where pipes reside.
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Elms: American Elms are vigorous growers that can wreak havoc on drain lines.
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Birch: River Birch trees naturally grow near water sources and will treat your septic tank like a riverbank.
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Beech: These have dense, fibrous root systems that can mat over drain fields.
Safer Alternatives: If you must plant near the system, choose trees with deep, non-aggressive taproots or small ornamental trees. Dogwoods, Japanese Maples, and certain fruit trees like Cherries are generally less risky, though they should still be kept at a safe distance.
The Clemson University Cooperative Extension provides excellent guidance on which plants are safe for septic areas.
Landscaping the Drain Field
Your leach field (or “Turkey Mound”) requires special care. You should never plant trees or large shrubs directly on top of the absorption area.
The best cover for a drain field is grass. Grass has shallow roots that stabilize the soil without threatening the pipes. It also aids in evaporation, helping the system process water.
Small herbaceous plants and wildflowers are also acceptable. They add beauty without sending roots deep enough to cause trouble. Avoid vegetables, as eating crops grown in septic soil carries a risk of bacterial contamination.
Triple J Services: The Solution to Root Problems
When roots attack, you need professional help. Triple J Services offers a full range of solutions to diagnose, clear, and repair root damage.
1. Diagnostic Inspections
We don’t guess; we look. We offer comprehensive Septic System Inspections using camera technology. We feed a camera into your lines to locate exactly where the roots are entering. We can see if the pipe is just clogged or if it has been cracked by the pressure. This allows us to recommend the right fix.
2. High-Pressure Hydro-Jetting
If the pipe is intact but clogged with roots, we use water to fight back. Our High-Pressure Drain Jetting (Hydro-Jetting)service is incredibly effective against roots.
We insert a specialized nozzle into the line that blasts water at extremely high pressure. The water cuts through the fibrous root masses like a knife. It scours the inside of the pipe, removing the roots and the sludge they trapped. This restores flow without the need for digging.
3. Excavation and Repair
Sometimes, the damage is too severe for jetting. If a tree root has crushed a section of pipe or collapsed a distribution box, we must replace it.
Triple J Services handles all Excavation & Utility Trenching. We carefully dig up the damaged section, remove the intrusive roots, and install new, heavy-duty piping. We ensure the ground is properly graded afterwards to prevent future issues.
4. Drain Field Restoration
If roots have compromised your entire leach field, we can help. We specialize in Leach Field (“Turkey Mound”) Repair & Installation. Whether you need a simple repair or a complete replacement with a modern elevated mound system, we have the expertise to get it done right.
Preventing Future Intrusions
Once we fix the immediate problem, you want to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
Root Barriers: We can install physical root barriers between your trees and your septic system. These are deep sheets of material that force roots to grow down and away from your pipes rather than sideways toward them.
Chemical Treatments: There are copper sulfate-based treatments that can be flushed down the toilet. These chemicals kill the roots that touch them without killing the whole tree. However, this must be done carefully to avoid harming the biological balance of your septic tank. Consult with us before using chemical additives.
Remove the Tree: In severe cases, the only permanent solution is to remove the offending tree. While this is a difficult decision, the cost of removing a tree is often far less than the cost of replacing a septic system every few years.
For more insights on maintaining your system, the National Environmental Services Center offers technical assistance and information for homeowners with septic systems.
The Role of Pumps in Root Defense
While pumps don’t stop roots, they are vulnerable to them. Roots can invade the pump chamber, tangling around the float switches and burning out the motor.
If your system uses a pump, regular maintenance is critical. We provide Grinder Pump Repair & Installation and Effluent Pump Service & Replacement. During these service calls, we check the pump chamber for any signs of root ingress and clean the components to ensure reliability.
Drainage Solutions
Sometimes roots grow toward your septic system because the rest of the yard is too dry. By improving the overall drainage of your property, you can keep trees happy without them seeking out your sewage lines.
We install French Drains & Drainage Solutions to manage groundwater. Proper drainage keeps your yard healthy and reduces the hydrostatic pressure on your septic components.
Why Triple J Services?
You need a partner who understands the local terrain of Lackawaxen, PA. The soil here can be rocky and challenging. Triple J Services has the local knowledge and the heavy equipment to handle any septic issue.
We are not just a pumping company. We are a full-service septic solution provider. From the initial Septic System Installation & Replacement to Emergency Septic Pumping, we cover the entire lifespan of your system.
We believe in doing the job right the first time. Our team is trained to identify the subtle signs of root intrusion that others might miss. We prioritize saving your system whenever possible, but we are fully equipped to replace it when necessary.
Take Action Today
Do not wait for a sewage backup to ruin your day. If you have large trees near your septic system or if your drains are acting up, you need an inspection.
Roots grow every day. The longer you wait, the more damage they do. A simple hydro-jetting service now could save you thousands of dollars in excavation costs later.
Visit our About Us page to learn more about our commitment to the community. Contact Triple J Services today to schedule your septic inspection. Let us stop the roots before they stop your system.
