Can Ivy Get Into a Sewer System?

Ivy's Effects

• Ivies such as English ivy, which trail on the ground and have rootlets that help the plants attach to masonry or brick, may invade older drainage systems in which drainage tiles were used to direct ground water. Ivy rootlets prefer a surface with a rough texture, but may take advantage of breaks or cracks in pipes and tiles. Ivy rootlets may come into contact with septic lines and other outdoor plumbing features in areas where pipes have become exposed due to erosion or lie close to the ground’s surface. Additionally, the plants’ main roots, sometimes used to prevent erosion, penetrate deeply into the soil and create a dense network of growth. These roots can reach buried pipes. Ivy may also grow over or into exposed ends of pipes.

Considerations

• Even tree roots rarely break pipes, but tree roots do cause blockages and may heave pipes in the same way they lift pavement, leading to breaks. As the invading roots grow, they may worsen existing cracks or breaks or enter pipe joints that have become loosened over time, were not well sealed when installed or that have shifted with soil movement. Ivy growing under and around trees may then take advantage of the conditions created by tree root damage.

Treatment

• Chemical root treatments will temporarily alleviate the problem when plants invade your pipes, but roots can return repeatedly, with new growth or new plants taking the place of the original invaders. In some cases, the plants may not have started the problem, but are simply taking advantage of the water and nutrients available from an already broken section of pipe. Applications of chemical treatments are often made in spring, as plants grow rapidly during the season, but homeowners may need to perform multiple treatments.

Prevention

• Replace damaged sections of pipe to prevent clogs and escalating damage. Remove or kill the ivy if you suspect ivy is causing a problem with your plumbing. Pull the plants by hand, or use a systemic herbicide such as triclopyr and glyphosate, suggests the Oregon State University Extension. Root barriers are available, but are typically used for tree root problems. Barriers can be expensive and may require extensive digging to install. Copper sulfate is one chemical option both for treating and preventing root-clogged pipes, whether you have sewer lines or a septic system. Follow the directions on the label.