Invasive Plant Species Are Creating New Sewer Line Challenges That Long Island Homeowners Can’t Ignore

Long Island’s changing landscape is presenting homeowners with an unexpected threat lurking beneath their feet. Long Island’s invasive trees and shrubs include the ubiquitous tree-of-heaven, Japanese angelica, Norway maple, and sycamore maple, plus some newcomers such as glossy buckthorn and Callery pear, and these non-native species are proving to be more aggressive than their native counterparts when it comes to seeking water sources—including your sewer lines.

The Growing Problem: Why Invasive Species Are More Destructive

Unlike native plants that have evolved alongside Long Island’s ecosystem, invasive plants and animals typically outcompete native species for resources like food and sunlight by spreading aggressively, reproducing quickly, and altering the natural environment. Once established, invasive plants begin outcompeting native plants, damaging soil, and causing adverse ecological impacts. This aggressive behavior extends underground, where their root systems actively seek out water sources with unprecedented determination.

Tree roots invade sewer lines because the pipes contain three elements necessary for tree growth: water, nutrients and oxygen. However, invasive species take this natural behavior to an extreme level. The Norway maple’s shallow, aggressive root system can prevent other plants, including grass, from growing underneath it, and this same aggressive nature makes them particularly problematic for underground utilities.

Long Island’s Most Problematic Invasive Species for Sewer Systems

Norway Maple: Perhaps the most deceptive of Long Island’s invasive trees, Norway maple has some key differences which contribute to its invasive nature: faster growth, a denser and longer-persisting canopy (with an earlier leaf out time in the spring, and later leaf drop in the fall), and a shallower root system. Another major issue with the Norway maple tree is its aggressive, shallow root system. These roots grow close to the surface and spread widely… Because the roots absorb large amounts of water and nutrients, surrounding plants struggle to survive.

Tree-of-Heaven: This invasive species is particularly problematic due to its incredible reproductive capacity. Annually, the females can produce 300,000 or more wind dispersed seeds, which deposit on open ground and germinate by the hundreds or thousands in large patches for great distances downwind of the trees. Even more concerning for homeowners, It’s roots can blast through 7 feet of volcanic rock. It can regenerate from the tiniest piece of root. If their roots are that powerful, what house foundation could withstand them?

Invasive Vines and Shrubs: Poison ivy is listed here among the non-native invasive plants because it often grows alongside the truly invasive plants such as Oriental bittersweet, English ivy, porcelain berry, Japanese honeysuckle, Asian wisteria, winter creeper, and kudzu. These vines can create dense mats of roots that aggressively seek water sources.

Why Invasive Roots Are More Dangerous Than Native Species

The difference between native and invasive plant root behavior is significant. Most Long Island soils harbor viable invasive seeds from their arrival via wind, birds, or mammals years to decades ago. Under the right conditions — exposure to sunlight being one — these seeds (herbaceous plants, shrubs, trees, or ivy) will quickly germinate and grow — typically on bare ground — to out-compete native plant species.

Several factors make invasive species particularly problematic for sewer systems:

• Aggressive Growth Patterns: The following tree species could pose problems: ash, sweetgum, poplar and cottonwood, oak (usually lowland varieties), locust, willow, basswood, tulip tree, sycamore, and many acer species (red, sugar, Norway, silver maples, and boxelder), with Norway maple being particularly aggressive among invasive species.
• Shallow Root Systems: Many invasive species develop shallow, spreading root systems that are more likely to encounter sewer lines.
• Rapid Reproduction: Tree roots can grow surprisingly fast once they access a crack in a sewer pipe. In some cases, roots may fill a 4-inch sewer pipe within a single growing season.

Warning Signs Your Sewer System May Be Under Attack

Homeowners should watch for these indicators of root intrusion:

• When multiple drains in your home—sinks, showers, toilets—are sluggish at the same time, that’s a red flag. It typically points to a blockage or restriction somewhere in the main sewer line
• Notice your grass or plants looking extra lush and green in one specific area, even when the rest of your lawn is dry and brown? If that vibrant growth happens to be situated right above your buried sewer line, it could mean roots have breached the pipes
• Root intrusion can cause small cracks in the pipe to expand over time. When that happens, sewage gases can escape into the surrounding soil and, in some cases, seep into your home. A persistent sewer smell near floor drains, in crawl spaces, or around your yard warrants prompt attention

Professional Solutions for Long Island Homeowners

When dealing with invasive plant root intrusion, professional intervention is often necessary. Did you know tree roots are responsible for more than 50% of all sewer blockages? When tree roots invade your pipes, they don’t just slow your drains. They can lead to backups, costly repairs, and serious health risks for you and your family.

For Long Island residents facing these challenges, The team at Long Island Sewer and Water Main is proud to have a fully licensed and insured staff that is ready to assist you with a wide array of services. Proudly serving Long Island and NYC home and business owners for almost 40 years… Available 24/7 to meet your plumbing needs in Suffolk and Nassau Counties. We are one of the only providers of trenchless sewer and water line services across both Nassau County and Suffolk County. Using our trenchless technologies, we are able to provide more efficient, convenient, and cost-effective sewer line services to residents and businesses across Long Island.

Professional Sewer Cleaning Long Island NY services can address root intrusion through several methods:

• Video Inspection: The best way to diagnose tree roots in your sewer line is to have a professional plumber perform a video camera inspection. This involves feeding a small camera through the pipes to visually inspect for any signs of root invasion. Video inspections are non-invasive and provide a clear 360° view of your pipes
• Hydro-Jetting: Hydro-jetting is another option to remove tree roots that are severely clogged main sewer pipes. When combined with trenchless technology, hydro-jetting can ensure damaged pipes can be restored
• Trenchless Repair: For moderate to low intrusions, many homeowners turn to trenchless pipe lining as an effective long-term solution to tree root intrusion. In this application, trenchless specialists will clear roots from your sewer line and coat inner pipe walls with an epoxy resin… Pressurized by an inflatable air bladder, this resin cures in-place in a few hours’ time

Prevention Strategies for Long Island Properties

The best defense against invasive plant root intrusion is prevention. Choose the Right Trees: Stick with species that have shallow or non-invasive roots. Good examples include Japanese maples or boxwood shrubs. Maintain Distance: Large trees like willows and oaks should never be planted near underground sewer pipes.

Additional preventive measures include:

• Regular Maintenance: Having your sewer line professionally cleaned and inspected annually or bi-annually goes a long way. Plumbers can use rooter tools to clear out any roots trying to gain a foothold before they really take over. And video inspections let them check for new pipe vulnerabilities… Routine maintenance nips potential problems in the bud
• Root Barriers: Root barriers made of metal, plastic, or heavy fabric can be placed around pipes to redirect roots away from vulnerable sections. When installed deep enough, they guide roots safely while allowing trees to grow normally above ground. Professional installation ensures lasting protection
• Invasive Species Removal: The Long Island Conservancy is leading the charge against invasive species on Long Island… The fact is, we need to get to at least 70% native plants to have enough to create habitat for our local critters, removing invasive species while planting native. Long Island is nowhere near that, at around 25% by my observations

The Time to Act is Now

With This year’s accelerated growth, caused by factors associated with climate change, is a stark reminder of their threat to biodiversity and forest health. Invasive plants like porcelain-berry, mile-a-minute and multiflora rose are blanketing our landscape, overtaking native plants and trees, Long Island homeowners can no longer ignore the threat these species pose to their sewer systems.

Our commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction sets us apart from the competition. We prioritize clear communication, transparency, and personalized service, ensuring that your water main installation project is completed to your satisfaction… With our unwavering commitment to excellence, you can trust Long Island Sewer and Water Main to deliver outstanding results that exceed your expectations.

Don’t wait until invasive plant roots have completely compromised your sewer system. Early detection and professional intervention can save thousands in repair costs while protecting your property from the growing threat of Long Island’s invasive plant species.