How roots get in

Many Buena Park homes from the 1950s to the 1970s have sewer laterals made of clay or cast-iron pipe. Clay pipe comes in short sections with joints every few feet, and cast iron can crack or corrode over decades. Those joints and cracks let a little water vapor escape into the soil, and tree and shrub roots grow toward it.

Once a fine root gets through a joint, it finds a steady supply of water and nutrients and grows into a dense mass. Toilet paper and debris catch on it, and the line slows down and eventually backs up. Mature street trees and yard trees are common in older neighborhoods, which is why this is a frequent cause of backups in the area.

Signs of a root problem

  • The main line clogs, gets cleared, and clogs again months later.
  • Drains slow down gradually over weeks rather than all at once.
  • Gurgling in toilets and tubs when other fixtures drain.
  • A large tree or a row of shrubs sits near the path of the sewer line.
  • A previous camera inspection mentioned root intrusion.

Clearing the roots vs fixing the pipe

Clearing (cable or hydro jetting)

  • Cuts or scours out the roots and restores flow.
  • Less disruptive and usually the first step.
  • Roots tend to grow back through the same openings.
  • Often becomes a repeat maintenance item.

Repair, lining or replacement

  • Seals or replaces the joints and cracks roots use.
  • Larger job, often with a permit.
  • Trenchless lining or pipe bursting may avoid a long trench.
  • Addresses the cause rather than the symptom.

A sensible order of work

  1. Clear the line.Get flow back so the house is usable.
  2. Camera inspection.See where the roots are entering, how many joints are affected and whether the pipe is cracked, offset or sagging.
  3. Get the footage and a written description.Ask for the video or still frames with distances from the cleanout marked.
  4. Compare options.Spot repair of one section, lining the whole lateral, pipe bursting or open-trench replacement. Ask for each in writing.
  5. Confirm permits and the city's side.Ask whether the work needs a permit and check with the city about any part of the lateral it maintains.

What to ask the plumber

  1. How many joints show root intrusion, and where are they?
  2. Is the pipe structurally sound enough for lining?
  3. Would a spot repair fix it, or is the whole lateral affected?
  4. If we just clear it, how soon would you expect roots to return?
  5. What permit, if any, is needed for the repair you recommend?

Common questions

Do root-killing products work?
Some products are sold for this, but they do not repair the openings roots grow through. Ask a licensed plumber whether they recommend any treatment for your line and how it should be used safely.
Is a clay sewer line always a problem?
No. Clay pipe can last a long time when joints are intact. The concern is joints and cracks, which a camera inspection will show.
Who pays if roots come from a city tree?
Responsibility for the lateral and for parkway trees varies. Check with the City of Buena Park before assuming either way.

General information for Buena Park, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.