Did you notice any issues with roots getting into the pipe over time? I keep reading mixed things about whether the fabric wrap is enough to keep stuff out long-term.
Honestly, I haven’t had root problems yet, but I guess it depends on what’s growing nearby. The fabric seems to do its job if you overlap it well and use decent gravel. As for depth, I went about a foot down—deep enough to catch water but not so deep it was a nightmare to dig. And yeah, digging always turns up the weirdest stuff... found an old spoon once, no idea how it got there.
I hear you on the weird stuff—when I dug my trench, I hit what looked like a chunk of old ceramic tile, and then a bunch of rusty nails. Never found anything valuable, though. As for roots, I’ve got a big maple about 15 feet away and so far, no issues after three years. The fabric wrap seems to hold up if you’re careful not to tear it while backfilling. I do wonder if it’s just luck or if certain trees are more aggressive than others...
Maples can be sneaky, but you might just have a chill one. I’ve seen willow roots bust through heavy-duty pipe in less than five years, but my neighbor’s oak never bothered his drain at all. Sometimes it’s just the luck of the draw... or maybe soil type plays a part too. I always double up on fabric near big trees, just in case.
Luck of the draw is right. I’ve seen roots from maples and willows wreck pipes faster than you’d think, but sometimes you get years without a problem. Doubling up on fabric’s smart—cheap insurance, really. Soil type does matter too, though folks overlook that. Clay holds moisture and draws roots in, sandy drains quick and roots don’t chase as hard. You’re covering your bases the right way.
I keep hearing about doubling up on fabric, but I’ve seen a few jobs where folks used just one layer and it seemed fine for years. Is there a point where it’s overkill, or is it really just cheap insurance like you said? I get the logic—roots are relentless, especially with willows and maples around. I’ve pulled some gnarly roots out of old clay pipes before, and it’s wild how far they’ll chase a bit of moisture.
About the soil type—clay’s a pain, no doubt. I’m still trying to figure out the best way to handle it. Some people swear by a thick gravel bed under the pipe, others say you need to wrap the whole trench in fabric, not just the pipe itself. I’ve even seen someone line the entire trench with fabric, then gravel, then pipe, then more gravel, then fold the fabric over the top. Seems like a lot, but maybe it’s worth it if you’re dealing with heavy clay and aggressive roots.
One thing I’m still not clear on: does the type of pipe matter much for root intrusion? Like, is corrugated pipe more likely to get wrecked than solid PVC? I’ve heard mixed things. Some say corrugated is easier for roots to get into because of all the little holes and seams, but others say it’s just as good if you wrap it right.
Curious what setups have actually held up for people long-term. I’ve only done a handful of these installs so far, so I’m still learning what works and what’s just overkill.
