THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM
Trees and clay pipes can increase risk of flooding and very expensive repairs
We always want to make sure our homes and surrounding property can handle the extra precipitation safely. That includes making sure our eavestroughs and gutters are clean, clear and in good working condition, having proper grading around the home, checking the foundation, and making sure any cracks are sealed and properly addressed.
But sometimes no amount of preparation can stop a flood — it happens. It can simply be Mother Nature, like a huge storm. Some other culprits include tree roots and clay pipes.
Many homes older than 60 years might still have clay pipes and, if they do, spring is a highrisk time for a cracked pipe or blockage. The problem is that clay material is very brittle, and the chances of it cracking or disjoining are pretty high.
When there is a leak underground, there’s water, which tree roots actively seek out and grow toward. As roots get stronger they can penetrate that pipe and cause a blockage. The pipes might be OK for a couple of years, but it’s only a matter of time before they cause a full blockage, or they might even crack the pipe and cause a sewer backup in the basement.
Eventually, a cracked clay pipe will need to be addressed, and it’s an expensive repair.
The ideal approach is to excavate, replace the clay pipe with PVC, install a backwater valve and then put everything back the way it was. A fix like that can easily climb to $15,000, especially if your basement is finished. Who’s stuck with the repair bill? It depends where the crack or blockage is located — on your side or the city’s.
A licensed plumber can run a video inspection and find the exact location of the blockage. If it’s on the city’s side, either you or the plumber can contact them and give them a copy of the video inspection showing the location of the blockage. Once the video is in their hands they should take care of the repair.
But if the blockage is on your side, what are your options?
If you can’t afford the right fix right away, the licensed plumber might suggest you try his maintenance service to trim the roots in the pipes (doing this twice a year can buy you a couple of years, but this is not DIY). At best it’s a temporary solution; the roots will grow back. And if the clay pipes are brittle and weak this procedure can cause more damage.
Bottom line: Once there is a crack or misalignment in the pipes with some tree root growth, you must excavate and replace the damaged section with a PVC material at some point.
And whether it’s an interior or exterior excavation, always install a backwater valve. Some municipalities might even provide subsidies for installing a backwater valve, especially if you live in an area where sewer backup is common. But a backwater valve protects you only from a city sewer backup — that’s it. Don’t think it can save you from any other kind of plumbing issues, such as a blockage and backup of your own sewage.
If you are house-hunting and looking at homes older than 50 years, hire a licensed plumber to do a video inspection of the sanitary line, also known as a drain check — that’s on top of getting a home inspection. Just because the toilets flush and the taps run, it doesn’t mean the plumbing checks out.