Many homeowners worry about finding “scary” tree roots in their home’s sewer lines. While this can be a rather extensive (and sometimes expensive) situation, there are ways to find out whether there are tree roots growing in your sewage lines, as well as ways to fix the issue quickly should it arise.
One of the first steps you should take if you’re worried tree roots are growing in your sewer line is contacting the sewer department to find out where the sewer lines are located in your yard. This will help determine whether the issue at hand is in an area near the sewer line or not.
A good next step would be to contact a professional plumber who can perform a video pipe inspection to look at the issue closer and determine the best way to fix it, should they find any roots in the sewer line.
Signs you may have tree roots in your sewer line
Slow drains and noisy toilets
One of the most telltale signs of a sewer problem is a loud, gurgling toilet when flushing. If this happens, check to see if your drains are slow. If they are, even after attempting to unclog them, it’s time to contact a plumbing professional.
Foul odors
Since we’re dealing with sewage, it stands to reason that there may be an unpleasant smell in the home should your sewer line have root damage. Usually, you’ll smell the odor outside of the home, near the sewer line itself. In some cases, however, you can detect the odor inside, especially if there are drain and toilet problems, too.
Sink holes
If you suspect a sewer line issue, take a look around the yard for sink holes. These are a sign that roots have grown into the plumbing and are causing water leaks. If you see sink holes, it’s important to call a plumbing professional to fix the problem, otherwise it can lead to further damage to the yard and your home.
How to remove tree roots from the sewer line
There are several ways to remove tree roots from your sewer line, and a video pipe inspection is often the best way to determine the best method of treatment.
Mechanically
One of the most popular methods of removing tree roots from your sewer line is with a mechanical auger that can dig into the sewer line and pull away the roots.
Chemically
You can also treat and remove tree roots from sewer lines using chemicals like copper sulfate. It’s important to note that this method of treatment should be done by a professional because of the dangers of using this chemical compound.
Foaming root killers
If you’ve detected root growth in its early stages, you may be able to eradicate the problem by using a foaming root killer that uses an herbicide to kills the growth and prevents new growth from occurring. You can find foaming root killers at your local home improvement store.
Concerned you may have tree roots growing in your sewer line? Contact us at Allied Reddi-Rooter. We can schedule a $250 video pipe inspection to address and fix the problem promptly. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service. You can follow us on Facebook, @Allied Reddi-Rooter for the latest tips or to ask us a question.
When it comes time to hire a plumber, make sure you choose one that puts you, the customer, first. At Allied Reddi-Rooter, we’ve been helping Cincinnati homeowners and businesses with all their plumbing needs for 70 years, so we know a thing or two about customer service and what it takes to be a great plumbing company.
Take a look at our tips below on what to look for in a plumber. Whether you’ve got a clogged drain or need sump pump installation, every job – no matter how big or small – should be a priority for the plumbing company you choose.
No upselling. Ever. The best, most reputable plumbers never upsell. They’ll assess the problem and quote you a cost to fix it (including labor). When you receive the bill, it should be for the amount you were quoted. If it isn’t, or if the plumber suddenly tells you that you need more work than they originally thought, they’re probably trying to upsell you.
They quote over the phone. The best plumbing companies are happy to provide you with a quote over the phone. In fact, at Allied Reddi-Rooter, our team provides over-the-phone quotes for about 95% of our jobs.
Onsite quotes at no-cost, no problem. In the event that we can’t provide a quote over the phone, especially if the job is complex or extremely large, our team can visit the site and provide a quote at no cost to the customer.
They offer 24/7 service, 365 days a year. Reputable plumbing companies care about their customers and will never make them wait for a plumbing repair. That’s why we’re available 24/7, every day of the year for our customers. So, if your kitchen sink clogs while you’re cooking on Thanksgiving Day, rest assured you can call us, and we’ll come by to save the day (or at least unclog the drain).
No waiting. When you schedule service with Allied Reddi-Rooter, we can usually show up within a two-hour window. Good plumbers never make you wait all day for the plumbing services you need. Simply put, we work on your time, not ours.
They’ve got experience. When you call a plumbing company, ask them how long they’ve been in business and how much experience and training the plumbing team has under their tool belts. Allied-Reddi Rooter, for example, has been in business since 1950 and our technicians have decades of plumbing experience.
And they’re happy to share their knowledge. The best plumbing companies love serving their community and readily offer plumbing advice, including tips on doing DIY plumbing and how to avoid the need for plumbing repairs. At Allied Reddi-Rooter, we regularly update our blog with helping articles (like this one!) to keep our customers informed.
Customers leave them great reviews. Before you invest your money, invest a little of your time checking Google reviews, as well as reviews on Facebook and places like Yelp to see what people are saying about the plumbing company you’re considering hiring. Look closely at reviews, including how many “middle of the road” reviews they’ve got. Make sure to choose a plumbing company, like Allied Reddi-Rooter, that has plenty of five-star reviews.
Of course, once you do receive great service, make sure to write your own review. If you’ve got a Gmail address you can leave a review on Google. And, if you’re on Facebook, you can leave a review there, provided the plumbing company has a Facebook page, too.
Remember: if a plumbing company tries to upsell you, look elsewhere the next time you need a plumber. Better yet, give the team at Allied Reddi-Rooter a call or Contact us. We’ve been helping Cincinnati homeowners with all their plumbing needs, and are here to help you with yours, too. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service. You can follow us on Facebook, @Allied Reddi-Rooter for the latest tips or to ask us a question.