Monday, November 23rd, 2020

How to detect and remove tree roots from your sewer line

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.