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Owner of Robins Plumbing, Stephanie Robins featuring titled blog 'Landscaping Upgrades and Plumbing Thoughts'

Landscaping Upgrades and Plumbing Thoughts

November 7, 2023

An Arizona backyard with trees, cactuses and a path to a house.

Are you getting ready to do some landscaping upgrades? A few words of caution before you start digging.

Before You Start Your Landscaping Upgrades Keep Your Plumbing In Your Thoughts

In Phoenix, roots are often the culprit of stoppages. In the Phoenix area we are taught to plant drought tolerant landscaping so that we use less water. This is of course a fabulous idea, and very responsible with our resources here in the beautiful desert.

These plants come with one setback – they are genius at finding water sources! Our desert landscapes will seek out and locate even the smallest amount of water. If you have even the smallest crack in your sewer line, those roots will penetrate the line and infest your sewer with roots. Many trees have very powerful root systems. Root systems that will literally crush the sewer line in order to access the water source. This is why it is important to keep your plumbing in your thoughts and plans before you start any of your landscaping upgrades.

How Do Roots Impact Your Plumbing?

Are roots a problem? The fast answer is yes they’re a problem. The size of the problem often depends on the size of the roots. Either way it means your sewer pipe is broken and this can also lead to a seal being compromised.

Right now you might be thinking I know what a broken pipe is, but what do you mean about a seal? Roots will grow as long as they want. They will follow the pipe uphill. They will grow up through the gap between the concrete and your sewer line underneath your toilet. At that point it will reach the wax seal underneath your toilet. This seal is what  keeps water and sewer gas from coming out from between your toilet and your floor. It is what joins your toilet to your sewer line. These roots will find that, go right through it. They will build a mass of fine roots that can confuse and perplex even a seasoned professional. Having a stoppage below your toilet seal where the roots are in your sewer line will often lead homeowners to plunge there stopped up toilet to the point of ruining what seal is left.

Five Ways Landscaping Projects Can Damage Your Plumbing Infographic

Advice From Your Plumbing Professionals

Some advice from your local plumbing professional in Phoenix. Get to know your plumbing before you plant. You can schedule an appointment to have your sewer line located. This will help you plan your landscaping accordingly and avoid costly repairs in the future. This knowledge will empower you to make better decisions with regard to your landscaping and allow you to enjoy the beauty for years to come. We also recommend speaking to a landscaping professional that is very knowledgeable in the plant choices for Phoenix. Letting the professional know what your goals are and where your plumbing system runs will help them to choose the right trees and plants for you.  That professional should know the characteristics of the root system and guide you in the right direction.  A company that we have had great results from is Dig it a boutique nursery in Phoenix, we recommend giving them a call. Very knowledgeable, friendly and not only do they have an extensive inventory of Phoenix friendly plants they also have a background in landscaping design.

Services in Phoenix & Beyond

When you’ve found yourself in need of plumbing services in the Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, or Chandler area, you can trust Robins Plumbing. We will provide you with prompt and expert care.  Contact our team today! In addition to our sewer line services, we also offer a variety of residential and commercial plumbing services. Our services include: drain cleaning, water heater repair and replacement, sewer camera inspection and locating, backflow prevention, commercial and residential jetting, water treatments, and more. Visit our reviews online to see what others have to say about our local plumbing company!

We Specialize in All Your Plumbing Needs

Below are just a few of the services we offer.

We are licensed, bonded and insured experts here to help you with all of your residential plumbing needs.

We are licensed, bonded and insured experts here to help you with all of your commercial plumbing needs and we will get your business back up and running.

From whole home filtration systems to just having clean purified water at your kitchen sink, we're here.

You can count on us to handle your drain cleaning with quick, affordable and reliable service.