Tree Roots and Your Sewer Line

How roots get in

Older clay and cast iron sewer pipes have joints and small cracks. Moist air and water seep out, roots grow toward them, and fine roots slip inside. Once in, they thicken and spread.

The warning signs

Drains that slow down every few months, gurgling toilets, a backup after heavy use, or a lush patch of grass over the line. Problems often get worse in dry spells when roots hunt hardest for water.

Clearing the line

A plumber can cut roots out with a cable machine or water jetting. That restores flow, but the roots will return if the joint they came through is still open.

Finding the entry point

A camera inspection shows where the roots got in and how bad the damage is. That makes it possible to repair just the bad section rather than the whole line.

Planting with care

When planting new trees, keep them well away from the sewer line. If you don't know where it runs, a plumber can locate it during an inspection.

Next step

If drains are slow again, see sewer line repair or drain cleaning.

Keep a record

Note the dates of each cleaning and what the camera found. A pattern of root problems every year or so is a good sign that a repair at the entry point will save money over repeated cleanings.

Lining or replacing

For lines with roots at many joints, a plumber may suggest lining the pipe from the inside or replacing the run. Lining seals the joints roots get through without digging the whole yard, though it isn't right for every line. Ask what the camera showed before choosing.

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• Checking a Plumber in Texas Before You Hire