How roots get in
Sewer laterals in many 1950s to 1970s homes were built from short sections of clay or cast-iron pipe joined end to end. Over decades those joints loosen, shift with the soil and develop small gaps. Warm, moist air and a trickle of nutrient-rich water escape through the gaps, and nearby roots grow toward them.
A hair-thin root that finds its way inside thickens quickly in that environment and spreads into a mat that catches paper and waste. Mature yard and parkway trees are common sources, but shrubs and vines can do it too. The roots do not need to come from your own tree.
Signs of a root problem
- Backups that come back every few months, often worse at certain times of year
- Slow drains throughout the house rather than at one fixture
- Gurgling toilets after showers or laundry
- Root fragments brought back on a drain cable
- Unusually green or soggy patches over the line in the yard
Clearing roots: cutting or jetting
Cable with root cutter
- Blades cut through the root mass to reopen the line
- Quick way to restore flow in a blocked lateral
- Leaves root stubs at the joints that regrow
- Works in most pipe conditions
Hydro jetting
- High-pressure water cuts and flushes fine roots
- Cleans the pipe wall more completely
- Not appropriate if the pipe is cracked or collapsing
- Often done after a camera confirms pipe condition
A typical root-problem sequence
- Year one
- A first backup; the line is cleared and roots come back on the cable.
- Months later
- Drains slow again as roots regrow at the same joints.
- After a camera run
- Footage shows how many joints are affected and whether any pipe is cracked.
- Decision point
- Choose between scheduled clearing and repairing the worst sections.
Questions to ask a plumber
- How far down the line are the roots, and at how many joints?
- Is the pipe clay, cast iron or plastic at those points?
- Is any section cracked, offset or collapsed?
- Is the root intrusion on my side of the property line? (Check with the city about responsibility.)
- What repair options fit the problem, and does any require a permit?
Common questions
Should I remove the tree?
Not necessarily. Roots enter through existing defects. Repairing the pipe often solves the problem without removing a tree, and removing a parkway tree is usually a city matter.
Do root-killing products work?
Some products are sold for root control in sewer lines. Ask a licensed plumber whether any is appropriate for your pipe and follow label directions; they do not repair the joint that let roots in.
How often should a root-prone line be cleared?
It depends on how fast the roots regrow. Some owners schedule clearing before backups typically recur; a camera can help set a sensible interval.
General information for Stanton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.