issue after it occurs: cutting the roots, drain relining, or excavation. “Cutting the roots is not a practical long-term option. It is the equivalent of putting a plaster over a broken leg. It is only a temporary solution, as the roots will grow back over time. It is an approach that can also have a harmful effect on the environment by preventing trees from absorbing as much CO2 as they should. “Drain relining offers
quick results, but its use is highly dependent on how accessible the repair is from the line. In many cases, it isn’t a suitable choice, and an alternative solution must be found. Excavation is perhaps the most effective way to tackle severe root ingress, but it is extremely costly, disruptive, and potentially harmful to the environment. Construction work and destroying roots can cause damage to nearby trees,” he says. Leaving a legacy of expensive and damaging disruption is something that contractors will be keen to avoid. He adds that this is where merchants can help their customers by highlighting drainage products that have more innovative technology built-in.
Prevention rather than cure
“Preventing root ingress from happening in the first place is far more effective than addressing it once it has occurred. RootSeal Technology, available across Wavin’s OsmaDrain range, is an innovation that gently discourages roots from penetrating pipe joints. It does this by using an inhibitor consisting of a naturally occurring additive, which acts like a protective forcefield against root growth built around the socket and seal.” Stopping roots from entering pipes in the first place, greatly minimises the need for potentially disruptive repair work further down the line. Jeffres says that this is important for merchants’ customers from both a financial and reputation-protection perspective, with RootSeal Technology helping to ensure project longevity at no extra cost. “It has also been proven to have no negative impact on roots, surrounding soil or wildlife, which further enhances its sustainability credentials, particularly from a biodiversity perspective. The UK government has tasked projects with delivering at least 10% biodiversity net gain , which essentially requires developers to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than it was beforehand. To achieve this, projects will need to ensure that all products are contributing – and that’s where RootSeal Technology plays an important role.” Self-build projects can often be susceptible to lesser-known issues like root ingress. Many of these projects will be led by the future homeowner who might have a lesser understanding of the future problems caused by roots. “Merchants have a really important part to play in this sector, given their position of being able to offer expert advice to self-build customers, their partner builders and other contractors,” Jeffries says. “RootSeal Technology ensures the long-term health of both trees and below ground infrastructure and is therefore ideally suited to any project where shrubbery and construction come together. “As RootSeal Technology is incorporated into the Wavin OsmaDrain range, it can be used across a wide range of drainage systems.” BMJ
October 2022
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net 29
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