Few people stop to think about how what's growing in their yard could affect something like their plumbing. If you are planning to plant something in your yard, you might want to consider how it could affect pipes below the surface that you likely had no idea were there. Read on for some help on dealing with a pipe that has been invaded by landscaping.

An Important Pipe

You may realize that your water, if you are connected to city water and sewer, comes into your home and then a pipe takes the sewage and wastewater away. The main pipe that removes wastewater is known as the lateral pipe and the location varies depending on how your home is situated. Since city water lines tend to run either under the street alongside it, chances are, your lateral pipe runs through your front yard at some point. You may be able to contact the city water department in your town to find out where your lateral pipe runs. It's important to know this information so that you can avoid planting certain plants with aggressive root systems near them. It also makes things easier when work must be done on the pipe.

How Do Roots Do Damage?

It's surprising how little moisture it takes to encourage a root to grow. Some lateral pipes begin to leak very tiny amounts of water (wastewater) and eventually, attract a root. Pipes that may have been underground for years are no match for an aggressive root. Once they invade the pipe, the root can effectively stop waste products from reaching the city pipe under the street. Unfortunately, pipes in a yard are probably not the city's problem.

Signs of Trouble

• Slow to flush toilets
• Backflow into washers, dishwashers, tubs, and sinks.
• Extremely unpleasant odors that are stronger in the bathroom or kitchen areas.
• Overflow into your home once the pipe is clogged.

What To Do

This is probably not a job for the home dweller – unless they are professional plumbers. A plumber will diagnose the problem using a small camera snaked down a drain or toilet although that might not be necessary. Once the blocked area or areas are identified, the pipe usually must be dug out and replaced with a new pipe. The roots are removed from the general area, but more work should be done to prevent the same issue from happening again. You can still plant bushes and trees near the lateral if their root systems are not far-reaching.

Call a plumber to find out more.