Tree roots in plumbing

[Jeremy Cepress]

I have a investment property it's an 11unit  property. I have roots going threw some of my plumbing but the trees are the neighbors trees. The trees are not on my property but destroying my pipes. What do I do?

[Bjorn Ahlblad]

@Jeremy Cepress I am not a lawyer but it is my understanding your neighbor is responsible if his trees have ruined your pipes. I would assemble your case. Plumber's report, video from camera inside the pipes. Cost to repair etc. Then go see your neighbor. I wish you the best!

[Richard F.]

Aloha,

Whether or not the neighbor could be held responsible would depend on local law. If you have not already, you need to have a competent plumber with the proper equipment run a cutter through the line to clear the roots and prevent a blockage. There are treatments available that will kill the roots, but, as you noted, damage is already done. Frankly, I question how well they work, but, the key is preventative maintenance. You know you have a root issue, PLAN on clearing the line properly every year, maybe 18 months, to keep it running free and prevent any roots from doing more damage. Do not assume removing the trees you suspect will stop any intrusion. Roots are seeking out water, and will find cracks a long ways away from where you might expect. If all you have are some minor cracks with hairlike roots hanging down, that is one issue. If you have roots that have grown to a larger diameter, it has been a much longer term issue that can easily break a lot of pipe, making it un-serviceable. Then you get to have it dug up and replaced, for a substantial expense.

[Carlos Ptriawan]

have you try to waterjet it first ? usually waterjet would work to flush the root, there's other strategy as well.

or .... you could repair the pipe as last option

[Aaron Lewis]

Two thoughts on this:

1. As others have said, I'm not an attorney either, but I *believe* once things cross onto your property, you're able to do what is necessary at that point. I don't see how your neighbor can or should be liable in any way. Like, how is that their "fault" that the tree grew up a certain way? You probably just want to proceed as though it were a tree on your own property i.e. deal with the problem yourself. 

2. How to fix: you can either repeatedly apply band-aid fixes (snake the line with a blade that will chop through roots as long as they're not already too thick, and make it a recurring maintenance kind of thing), OR you can replace your sewer line. I had the same issue on a rental property of mine. The first couple times I just did the band-aid. Then eventually I sucked it up and got the sewer line replaced. It was a pain, but then once and done for another 60+ years. 

[Carlos Ptriawan]

If OP has outlet nearby, he can buy cheap camera from amazon do the waterjet himself, it's not as bad as it sounds, even if plumber has to snake/waterjet it every two years it's still worth it rather than going to anything with lawyer and stuff.

[Matthew Drouin]

@Jeremy Cepress

There’s what you might be entitled to in terms of damages or relief due to neighbors tree roots and then there’s reality. You could ask them to help you with the cost of jetting the pipes or replacing the lines but if they say “take a hike”, what are you going to do? Sue them? That’s a good way for attorneys to get paid and for you to get no results.

The problem really isn’t the trees, its your pipes. Generally roots only get into clay tile pipe or old cast iron that’s leaking at the joints under ground.

Getting the pipes jetted on a yearly or biannual basis should buy you many years of no trouble!

[Bob Stevens]

Quote from @Jeremy Cepress:

I have a investment property it's an 11unit  property. I have roots going threw some of my plumbing but the trees are the neighbors trees. The trees are not on my property but destroying my pipes. What do I do?

Not sure what else to say but fix it!! I replace sewer lines all the time, a few k,