When tree roots invade underground pipes, they can lead to cracks, leaks, and other plumbing problems. Sewer lines are especially vulnerable because they provide both moisture and nutrients that encourage root growth.
Homeowners often don’t notice a problem until symptoms begin to surface inside or around the home. Recognizing the early signs of roots in your sewer lines can help you avoid costly repairs and protect your plumbing system.
At Day & Night, we’ve helped countless homeowners eliminate stubborn tree roots in their plumbing systems. We’ll go over the main signs to look out for, your options for clearing out roots, and maintenance tips that can help prevent these issues.
Common Signs of Tree Roots in Sewer Lines
When roots enter a sewer line, they cause blockages, leaks, and even structural damage to pipes. Homeowners may notice unusual plumbing behavior inside the home, along with changes in the yard.
The following warning signs often indicate tree roots in your plumbing and should not be ignored:
1. Slow Drains, Clogged Toilets, and Weak Water Pressure
One of the first symptoms of roots in your sewer line is poor drainage. Toilets that frequently clog, sinks that drain slowly, or showers that back up can point to a partial blockage underground caused by roots.
While occasional clogs happen, consistent problems across multiple drains suggest a more serious issue inside the sewer line that requires professional sewer line repairs.
2. High Water Bills
If you’ve noticed your monthly bill creeping up without any changes in your water usage, hidden leaks may be the culprit. Tree roots can crack sewer pipes, allowing water to escape into the soil.
If your water bills continue to rise, it may be time to schedule a sewer camera inspection to locate the problem before it worsens.
3. Sinkholes
In more severe cases, tree roots can cause the ground above a sewer line to collapse. As water seeps into the soil from cracked or broken pipes, the ground softens and eventually gives way. This creates sinkholes or depressions in the yard, often near where the sewer line runs.
4. Sewer Gas Odors
Healthy sewer lines should keep odors contained underground. However, when roots crack pipes or separate joints, that gas escapes into the air. If you smell unpleasant sewage odors inside your home or around the yard, it could indicate a breach in the sewer line.
Beyond being unpleasant, sewer gas can pose a risk to your health. This makes regular inspections and prompt repairs crucial for homeowners.
5. Flooded Basement
Roots that block or break sewer lines can cause wastewater to back up into the lowest points of the home. In many cases, that’s the basement. A flooded basement can lead to water damage, mold growth, and health hazards.
Addressing the root intrusion quickly can help restore the flow of water and protect your property from further damage.
6. Bubbling Noises
When tree roots block part of the pipe, water struggles to flow freely, creating pockets of air that escape with noise. While occasional bubbling might happen during heavy water use, consistent sounds should be treated as a red flag for roots in your plumbing that need to be cleared.
7. Greener Yard
A lush patch of grass may seem like a blessing, but it can actually signal trouble below. Sewer leaks caused by root damage act like fertilizer, enriching the soil and making grass or plants above the line appear noticeably greener than the rest of the yard.
Which Pipes Are Most Vulnerable to Root Damage?
Not all pipes are created equal when it comes to resisting root intrusion. Some materials can be more vulnerable to root damage than others, such as:
- Clay pipes: Common in older homes, clay pipes are porous and prone to cracking, making it easy for roots to pierce them.
- Cast iron pipes: Cast iron is stronger than clay, but it is still susceptible to corrosion. This can create openings for roots to enter.
- Orangeburg pipes: A fiber-based material used in mid-20th-century constructions, these pipes were especially popular in Arizona. With a lifespan of 30–50 years, many Orangeburg pipes are now failing, leading to collapse due to tree root growth.
- PVC pipes: Modern PVC is smoother and less porous, giving it better resistance to root intrusion.
If your home has older pipe materials like clay or Orangeburg, the risk of roots growing in your sewer lines is significantly higher. In these cases, working with licensed plumbers in Phoenix, AZ ensures the right tools and techniques are used to assess and repair the system.
Methods Our Plumbers Use to Clear Tree Roots
When roots take hold in a sewer line, they must be removed before repairs can be made. Day & Night’s team of licensed plumbers uses proven methods to restore flow and protect your plumbing system.
We offer a handful of options to carefully remove stubborn tree roots in your sewer lines, including:
Roto Rooting
We feed special cutting tools into the sewer line to slice through roots and clear the pipe. While effective for immediate relief, the roots can regrow if the entry point isn’t properly sealed.
Hydro-Jetting
Our team will use high-pressure water jets to flush any debris out of the pipe. Hydro-jetting not only removes leftover root fragments but also clears grease, sediment, and other buildup.
Cured-in-Place Pipe Lining
For a longer-term solution, cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining creates a new pipe inside the existing one. This trenchless repair method eliminates cracks and gaps where roots could re-enter.
Because it avoids digging up large sections of your yard, trenchless sewer line repairs are less invasive and often preferred by homeowners. It also provides long-term durability and protection against future root intrusion.
Routine Sewer Line Maintenance Tips to Prevent Tree Root Growth
After clearing the roots, preventive care is essential to avoid repeat issues. Routine maintenance can extend the life of your plumbing and minimize costly repairs.
To keep your sewer line clear and root-free, you can:
- Inspect your sewer lines every two years: We recommend routine sewer camera inspections every two years to help identify root growth early. Our licensed plumbers can spot cracks, leaks, or blockages and recommend the right solution for your home.
- Use a pipe liner: Installing a pipe liner creates a seamless barrier inside older pipes. This prevents roots from re-entering weak spots and adds years of durability to your sewer line.
- Use a root barrier: Root barriers are placed in the soil to redirect tree growth away from underground pipes. They act as a physical shield between tree roots and plumbing.
- Remove trees near water pipes: If trees are planted too close to sewer lines, their roots will eventually find the moisture and make their way inside. Removing or relocating trees near your plumbing can prevent future root issues.
- Trim tree roots: Proactive root trimming in your yard helps control aggressive growth. This is especially useful for fast-growing tree species.
- Clean drains: Consistent drain cleaning keeps pipes clear of debris and catches early warning signs of root growth. This step also reduces the likelihood of stubborn sewer line clogs.
- Use chemical root inhibitors: For minor root intrusions, chemical root treatments can slow or stop root regrowth in pipes. A certified plumber typically applies these treatments after mechanical root removal or hydro-jetting.
- Repair leaks promptly: Even small leaks provide enough moisture to attract tree roots. Addressing leaks quickly prevents roots from finding a way inside and helps prevent damage to your sewer line.
Schedule Professional Trenchless Sewer Line Repair Service with Day & Night
If you find tree roots in your sewer lines, traditional repairs often mean digging up the yard, driveway, or landscaping. Fortunately, modern trenchless solutions make it possible to restore your pipes without the mess.
Day & Night is proud to offer trenchless sewer repair services in Phoenix, Arizona. Our licensed plumbers use advanced tools to diagnose the problem and recommend repairs tailored to your needs. We also offer additional plumbing services such as water heater repairs.
Contact us today to schedule an inspection and learn how our team can keep your sewer lines free of tree roots for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do tree roots damage sewer lines?
Tree roots naturally seek out water and nutrients, which makes sewer lines an ideal target. Even the smallest crack or gap in a pipe can release enough moisture to attract roots.
Once roots make it inside your sewer line, they expand and spread like a web. This leads to partial or complete blockages, pipe fractures, and even total collapse in severe cases.
How fast do roots grow in a sewer pipe?
Roots can grow surprisingly quickly once they’ve gained access to a sewer pipe. In some cases, new root growth can fill a pipe within months, restricting water flow and increasing pressure on weak spots.
Sewer camera inspections are the best way to identify root growth before it becomes unmanageable.
