Went through this same issue a couple years back. I hesitated on PVC at first because of the cost, but after my second "emergency" plumber visit, I bit the bullet. Haven't had a single problem since. Definitely hurt my wallet initially, but honestly, not having to worry every time it rains heavily...worth every penny. Sometimes spending more upfront really does save you cash (and sanity) down the road.
I totally get where you're coming from with PVC being worth the upfront cost. Had similar issues myself, but I was initially hesitant because of environmental concerns—PVC isn't exactly eco-friendly, ya know? Did some digging (literally and figuratively, haha) and found out there are some greener options out there, though they can be even pricier. Ended up going with PVC anyway, but made sure it was high-quality stuff that'll last decades, so at least I'm not replacing it anytime soon.
Honestly, after the third plumber visit in one rainy season, my cautious side gave in. Tree roots are no joke...felt like they were plotting against me every storm. Now it's been almost two years without a single issue, and I sleep way better when the forecast calls for heavy rain. Sometimes you gotta balance environmental ideals with practicality—still working on that myself. Glad to hear you're stress-free now too!
Yeah, tree roots can be relentless, can't they? PVC isn't perfect environmentally, but honestly, when you're dealing with constant plumbing nightmares, practicality usually wins out. Did you look into root barriers at all? I've seen some folks install those alongside their pipes—bit more digging upfront, but seems to help long-term. Either way, glad you're finally getting some peace of mind...nothing worse than dreading every heavy rain forecast.
I had a similar issue a few years back—massive oak tree in the yard, beautiful but a total plumbing nightmare. I considered root barriers, but honestly wasn't sure if they'd hold up long-term against something that determined. Ended up rerouting the pipes entirely, which was a headache at first but has been solid ever since. Curious though, anyone know how long those root barriers typically last before roots find their way around or under them? Seems like nature always finds a way eventually...
"Seems like nature always finds a way eventually..."
Haha, ain't that the truth. I tried root barriers once—thought I'd outsmarted my maple tree. Fast forward five years, and guess who was back knocking on my pipes? Ended up rerouting too; cheaper in the long run, honestly.
