Tree Roots in Your Sewer Line
Signs, Fixes, and Keeping Them Out
Trees add shade and character to a suburban property, but their roots can cause serious problems when they reach an underground sewer line.
Tree roots naturally seek water and nutrients. If a sewer pipe has a loose connection, crack, or other opening, roots can find their way inside. Once established, they can grow through the pipe and catch wastewater, paper, grease, and other debris.
The result can be a sewer line that has poor drainage, backs up, or repeatedly becomes clogged.
Signs Tree Roots May Be in Your Sewer Line
A single slow drain does not mean you have tree roots in the sewer. However, several recurring symptoms can point to a problem in the main sewer line.
Watch for:
- Multiple drains slowing down at the same time
- Toilets that frequently back up
- Gurgling from drains or toilets
- Sewer backups
- Clogs that keep returning after cleaning
- Unpleasant sewer odors
- Slow drainage throughout the home
Recurring problems are important. If someone cleans a sewer line and the same blockage returns, it may indicate an underlying issue inside the pipe.
How Tree Roots Get into Sewer Pipes
Tree roots do not normally break into an intact sewer pipe just because a tree is growing nearby. They take advantage of an existing opening.
Older sewer lines can develop cracks, separated joints, or other points where roots can enter. Once a small amount of root growth gets inside, it can continue expanding.
This is one reason older suburban homes can be especially susceptible to tree roots in sewer lines. The age and condition of the underground piping matter, not just the trees growing in the yard.
How We Find Tree Roots in a Sewer Line
Before deciding how to address a recurring sewer problem, it helps to see what is happening inside the pipe.
A sewer camera inspection allows us to examine the interior of the line and identify problems such as root intrusion, blockages, and damaged sections.
This can answer important questions:
- Where are the roots entering?
- How extensive is the intrusion?
- Is the pipe intact?
- Is there another obstruction?
- Does the line need cleaning, repair, or replacement?
Finding the location and cause of the problem helps prevent unnecessary work.
How We Remove Tree Roots From Sewer Lines
The appropriate cleaning method depends on the condition of the pipe and the severity of the obstruction.
Mechanical Rodding
Mechanical rodding uses specialized equipment to break through and clear obstructions inside a sewer line. It can be useful when roots or other materials are preventing wastewater from flowing.
Rodding can restore flow, but it does not remove every bit of material from the pipe walls.
Hydro Jetting
Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to clean the interior of the sewer line. At Cannonball, our equipment can deliver water pressure of up to 4,000 PSI.
Hydro jetting can remove roots, grease, sludge, scale, and other buildup from the inside of the pipe. It can be especially useful when the line needs more thorough cleaning rather than simply having a path opened through a blockage.
Does Cleaning Stop Tree Roots for Good?
Usually, no.
Sewer cleaning can remove existing root growth and restore flow, but it does not eliminate the tree or repair the opening where the roots entered.
If the pipe has a crack, a separated joint, or other structural problem, roots may eventually grow back into the same area.
That is why a recurring root problem may require more than repeated cleaning. Depending on the condition and location of the damaged section, sewer line repair or replacement may be necessary.
Can You Keep Tree Roots Out of a Sewer Line?
You cannot eliminate the possibility of root intrusion, but maintaining your sewer system can help catch problems before they become major backups.
If your property has mature trees and an older sewer line, consider having the line inspected if you experience recurring drainage problems.
It’s also helpful to address slow drains and repeated clogs rather than treating them as isolated plumbing inconveniences. Early diagnosis can reveal a developing sewer problem before wastewater backs up into the home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if tree roots are in my sewer line?
Recurring clogs, multiple slow drains, sewage backups, and problems that return soon after cleaning can be signs of root intrusion. A sewer camera inspection can confirm what is happening inside the pipe.
Can hydro jetting remove tree roots?
Hydro jetting can remove root growth and other buildup from inside a sewer pipe. However, it does not repair cracks or other structural damage that allowed the roots to enter.
Will tree roots grow back after sewer cleaning?
They can. If roots entered through a crack, separated joint, or other opening, cleaning removes the existing intrusion but does not eliminate the underlying entry point.
Do tree roots always mean I need a new sewer line?
No. The appropriate solution depends on the extent of the root intrusion and the condition of the pipe. A camera inspection can help determine if cleaning suffices or if you should consider repair or replacement.
Which is better, hydro jetting or sewer rodding?
No two issues are the same. The solution depends on the health of the pipes and what is causing the blockage. The answer may be a combination of both.
Read more about hydro jetting versus sewer rodding.
Get Help with Tree Roots in Your Sewer Line
At Cannonball Mechanical, we can inspect and clean sewer lines using camera inspection, mechanical rodding, and high-pressure hydro jetting. These services allow us to identify what is happening inside the line and determine an appropriate way to restore flow.
If you suspect tree roots in your sewer line, contact Cannonball to have the problem evaluated before a recurring clog turns into a major backup. Call 630-896-4888 to speak with one of our team members. Or fill out our form, and we will contact you to discuss your needs in more detail.
