Tree roots enter pipes through tiny fractures or small gaps in search of water. Once inside they grow, damage pipes and cause blockages.
- Avoid planting near freshly laid pipes as the roots are attracted to softer soil.
- Invest in a root barrier – available from hardware stores and nurseries, root barriers are made from heavy cloth or plastic and are placed in the ground to contain a plant’s root system.
- Dial Before you Dig (1100) so you know where sewer pipes and other utilities are located.
- Ask your local nursery to recommend plants with non-invasive roots.