Scenic Rim residents are being urged to plant with caution this spring to help prevent nasty tree root blockages which could land them with a big plumbing bill.
Recent warm weather means thirsty tree roots are on the move and they can wreak havoc in household pipes.
Urban Utilities spokesperson Michelle Cull said tree root blockages could be difficult to detect and costly to repair.
“Tree roots are always on the hunt for water and nutrients, so wastewater pipes are the ideal target,” she said.
“Thin roots can creep through even the tiniest join between two pipes and swell to form a mass, catching wet wipes, tissues and other products that shouldn’t be flushed.”
Last financial year, tree roots were responsible for around 2,400 blockages in Urban Utilities’ wastewater network.
Ms Cull said they were asking people to spring into action this spring and play their part in protecting their pipes.
“The most important thing to remember is not to plant trees too close to wastewater pipes,” she said.
“Tree roots can spread two to three times the radius of the canopy and some species are more problematic than others.
“Avoid species that seek out water like figs, bottlebrushes and paperbarks and opt for those with less invasive roots such as tulipwood, lemon myrtle and native gardenias.”
