With growing concerns around the rise of climate change and its effects on our everyday life, the demand for future planning is paramount. Recent coverage of protests in Sheffield displays the public’s concern for urban horticulture.
Between January and May 2018, UKDN had 175 jobs involving tree root issues. This averaged more than one per day.
‘Drain maintenance: getting to the root of the issue’ explores the prevention of issues in existing structures and when planning to build.
“With the onset of climate change, better understanding of the risks trees pose for buried water utility assets is vital to asset maintenance,” says UKDN Waterflow (LG) Ltd Director Richard Leigh.
The paper highlights surprising findings from Swedish & UK researchers and the Arbroricultural Adivsory and Information Service (AAIS). Common perceptions suggest that tree roots directly cause damage to pipes. Yet research discovered that in the majority of cases, roots only take advantage of previously damaged or vulnerable pipes.
Tree roots can exert a pressure of up to 20 bar per sq. cm, far greater than the 6 bar per sq cm that most rubber seals can resist. While it might take up to 20 years for root ingress to occur, they can eventually break into a pipe by displacing a seal. Meanwhile, if a water pipe is leaking into the ground, tree roots can grow around it to absorb the moisture. This can cause soil drying and subsequent pipe movement, exacerbating cracks and gaps in joints. Additional nutrients and water in pipes encourage rapid growth to the point where the roots can fill the pipe.
UKDN suggests the best way to guard against tree root ingress is to put in place a rigorous planned and preventative drainage maintenance system. Key elements include:
- Reviewing tree planting plans and avoiding species that have particularly vigorous root systems.
- Carrying out regular CCTV drainage surveys to check for defects and signs of root ingress.
- Mapping drainage systems to support effective SuDS planning and tree planting
- Keeping pipes clean through water jetting.
- Removing tree roots with the most appropriate, cost-effective no-dig method. This may involve high pressure water jetting, electro-mechanical cutting, or robotic cutting.
- Installing glass reinforced plastic liners to create a strong barrier for pipes most at risk.
Download the white paper for more insight and solution.
Richard Leigh is the Development Director of drainage specialist Lanes Group plc.
www.lanesfordrains.co.uk