How roots get in
Many sewer laterals in Fullerton's postwar neighborhoods are vitrified clay pipe laid in short sections with joints every few feet, or older cast iron. Over decades, those joints shift, the seals age, and small gaps open. Warm, moist air and a trickle of water leak out of the gaps, and fine root hairs from nearby trees and shrubs grow toward them.
Once inside, the roots thrive. They spread into a mat that catches paper and wipes, and that mat grows until the line backs up. A root clog rarely appears overnight; it usually announces itself with months of slow drains and the odd gurgle before the first full backup.
Clues that roots are the cause
- The main line backs up on a rough cycle, often every year or two
- Mature trees, especially large shade trees, grow between the house and the street
- The home is decades old with an original lateral
- After clearing, the plumber's cutting head comes back with fine roots wrapped around it
- A patch of lawn over the sewer path stays greener or softer than the rest
Clearing roots vs. fixing the pipe
Root cutting (cabling or jetting)
- Restores flow, often the same visit
- Leaves the gap in the joint open, so roots return
- Often becomes a recurring maintenance job
- Reasonable while you plan or budget for a repair
Pipe repair or replacement
- Seals or replaces the joints roots are using
- Larger project; may involve excavation or trenchless methods
- May require a permit; check with the City of Fullerton
- Worth considering when backups are frequent or the pipe is cracked
A sensible sequence after a root backup
- Clear the line.Get the main opened with a root-cutting head so the house is usable again.
- Get a camera inspection.Ask for the footage, the distance from the cleanout to each root intrusion, and whether the pipe is cracked, offset or sagging.
- Decide on a plan.With one or two intrusions in otherwise sound pipe, periodic cleaning or a spot repair may be enough. Roots at many joints point toward lining or replacement.
- Get written estimates.Ask at least two licensed contractors for written scopes, and check each license at cslb.ca.gov.
Terms you will hear
- Lateral
- The private sewer pipe from the house to the city sewer main.
- Root intrusion
- Roots growing into the pipe through a joint or crack.
- Offset joint
- Two pipe sections that have shifted out of line, leaving a lip that catches debris.
- Root cutter
- A blade head on a drain machine cable that slices through roots in the pipe.
Common questions
Will root killer products fix the problem?
Some products can slow regrowth, but they do not repair the joint the roots came through. Ask a plumber whether one is appropriate for your pipe and follow the label exactly.
Do I have to remove the tree?
Not necessarily. Sealing or replacing the damaged pipe usually stops intrusion without removing the tree. Talk it through with the plumber and, for street trees, with the city.
How often will roots come back after cutting?
It varies with the tree, the season and the size of the gap. Your own history of backups is the best guide.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.