TIL the hard way that tree roots can crack a sewer line in 18 months

I spent like 3 weekends digging up my backyard after my basement flooded, only to find out the neighbor's sycamore tree (the one they refuse to trim) sent roots straight through my main drain pipe. A plumber in Maplewood quoted me $4,800 for the repair and said this is super common with older clay pipes. Has anyone else dealt with a neighbor's tree causing underground damage like this, or am I just unlucky?

3 comments

3 Comments

riverreed20d ago

Heard a plumber say those old clay pipes basically invite tree roots in for dinner.

jesser7921d ago

Friend had the exact same thing happen with a maple tree.

rubyschmidt20d ago

Maybe the tree was just looking for water in a pipe that should've been replaced decades ago.