Roots In Sewer Line

What should you do if you have roots in the sewer line? Get the facts to ensure a job well done for your sewer system.

If your sewer line is leaking or clogged, there may be tree roots in the sewer line. Tree roots are one of the most common issues homeowners face when it comes to sewer line problems. As tree roots grow, they can cause the sewer line to leak. They can also cause the sewer line to become clogged and stop working, or—even worse—cause the raw sewage to flood into your home.

Why Are Roots in Sewer Line Bad?

When roots get into a sewer line, they break through the pipes and cause large cracks. These cracks continue to grow over time, letting sewer water leak out into your yard. Since the roots will continue to grow, they may eventually cut off your sewer line entirely. Once this happens, you’ll find your drains will stop working effectively. Furthermore, your toilets may stop flushing, and you will begin to experience sewage flowing back into your home.

If you have a tree anywhere near your property, there could be roots in your sewer line. Noting the presence of a tree nearby may not be enough, as trees can spread very unpredictably. In fact, if your sewer line has already begun to leak, it’s likely tree roots will grow towards your sewer line in search of moisture.

How Can You Tell If There Are Roots in Your Sewer Line?

Areas of your yard are growing rapidly: sewer water leaking out into your yard will, at first, cause your grass and plants to grow quickly in a single area. It will also cause the tree to grow much faster; the tree is seeking out water. However, eventually the flooding will become too much and may kill your grass and plants.
Your toilets aren’t flushing properly: Toilets that are not flushing throughout your home is a good indication you have a problem on your hands you can no longer avoid. If it’s a single toilet, it could be the toilet itself. However, if all of the toilets are having problems, it’s likely an issue with your main sewer line.
You experience backed up drains throughout your home: Just like with toilets, having multiple drains backing up in your home is an indication the main line has become damaged. If you notice just one drain is slow, it’s possible you have a problem with one area. However, like toilets, if all drains are slow, the signs point to a problem with the main sewer line.

How Do You Remove Roots from Your Sewer Line?

A professional can remove roots from your sewer line through the use of a mechanical auger tool. This tool slides down your drain and through your pipes, clearing up any debris inside of the pipes and pulling it out.

However, though this does remove the roots currently inside of your pipes, it doesn’t prevent the roots from growing back. Plants and trees are very resilient. The roots will continue to grow until you remove the tree. If you want to keep your trees, you may want to explore alternative options such as lining your pipes.

How Can You Prevent Roots in Your Sewer Line?

In general, trees are going to have a root system that is about as large as its canopy. If you have large trees on your property be aware that they may eventually infiltrate your plumbing. Making sure that trees are well away from your home’s plumbing is the first step towards avoiding roots in your sewer line. Once you find roots in your sewer line, it’s important to seek professional repair right away, so the situation doesn’t worsen over time.

Worried about roots in your sewer line? Contact our sewer experts at Morningside Plumbing today to find out what the best options are for dealing with your root problem—and to take care of the issue once and for all.

Sewer Line Repair and Replacement: The Complete Guide

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