Q: I live in the Rita Ranch area, and someone planted a mesquite in my front yard about 15 feet away from the house? Is that too close to my home? Will the roots of the tree get into my water or sewage pipes?
A: Fifteen feet is probably far enough away from your home to avoid any problems with roots invading your plumbing. One way to keep the roots of the tree from spreading out to find new water sources is to be sure to water frequently and deeply. If you do that, you probably wonβt have any problems.
If youβre worried about the location of a tree, you can also have a tree or landscape company install a root barrier between your tree and the hardscape elements or plumbing that you want to protect. Then, as the tree grows and its roots spread out, they will be deflected away from your sidewalk, fence or building. These barriers can be installed when you plant a tree or even afterward.
Tree companies tell us that tree roots donβt really βlookβ for plumbing lines underground; what they do is exploit existing leaks. Roots in the soil keep growing and if they detect a water source, like moisture from leak, they then follow it to the break in the pipe and breach it. Then you can have plumbing problems due to roots inside pipes.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
