How Your Landscaping Can Impact Your Plumbing

Landscaping is one of those finishing touches that can turn a house into a home. Many homeowners understand that proper landscaping can enhance the natural beauty of a property, boost the curb appeal, and even contribute to environmental sustainability.

However, many homeowners don’t realize that making certain mistakes when landscaping can have dire consequences for your plumbing system. The following list demonstrates why it’s important to understand how your landscaping plans can impact your plumbing – and lead to costly repairs.

1. Roots can grow into pipes and cause blockages. If you don’t know where the major elements of your plumbing system are in your yard (such as the sewer line, main water line, gutter downspout, and outdoor faucets), you risk planting trees too closely. Unfortunately, this may lead to roots that grow inside piping and cause blockages. The water pressure will slowly build until the pipe bursts, which can be incredibly costly to repair. The best way to avoid this mistake is to know where all your major plumbing elements are and add landscaping at a sufficient distance to avoid problematic root growth.
2. Poorly installed root barriers can impact your plumbing. Some homeowners understand tree roots’ threat to plumbing systems and will install root barriers to prevent them. Unfortunately, improperly placed barriers can give you a false sense of security while still seriously damaging your plumbing.
3. Sprinkler system leaks can be costly to fix. When you have invested a lot of money into beautiful landscaping for your yard, it’s only natural to want to keep it looking great. And while built-in sprinkler systems are a great way to do this, they can cause much damage. If you have an unnoticed leak, it can cost you tons in repairs. This leak will slowly saturate the surrounding area, raising the risk of water damage to your home. If you suspect a leak in your sprinkler system, getting a professional consultation as quickly as possible is a good idea. You can also conduct routine testing to ensure your system isn’t leaking. This type of preventative maintenance can be well worth the investment by helping you avoid costly San Marcos plumbing repairs.
4. Improper drainage can flood your yard. Proper drainage is a vital component in any landscaped yard, but ensuring proper drainage can depend on many factors, including the grade, type of soil, water needs of plants, and the drainage channel. Improper grading can lead to many issues with a home, including cracks in the foundation, rotted walls, problems with piping, and a leaking basement. In severe instances, grading can impact your electrical systems, which is also costly. Properly grading the property can prevent water from reaching a home’s plumbing system. If the grade is too steep, you can backfill to correct it.

The reality is that landscaping can greatly impact your plumbing system and lead to major home damage. One of the best ways to enjoy the benefits of beautiful landscaping while protecting your home is to hire experts to ensure your property is protected. Proactive Plumbing is a premier plumbing service in San Marcos that can assess your landscaping and help you identify proper prevention strategies.

Proactive Plumbing has provided dependable plumbing services, installations, and repairs for more than 15 years. We service Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Vista, San Marcos, Escondido, and other areas of San Diego County.