{"id":1015,"date":"2020-05-11T11:00:08","date_gmt":"2020-05-11T15:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.relianceplumbing.com\/blog\/?p=1015"},"modified":"2026-06-16T08:49:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T13:49:30","slug":"sewer-line-vs-tree-roots-what-to-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.relianceplumbing.com\/blog\/plumbing-service\/sewer-line-vs-tree-roots-what-to-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Sewer Line Vs. Tree Roots: What To Do"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"split-drainage-pipe-with-roots\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Have you ever wondered why your plumbing system\u2019s sewer line is buried beneath your yard? You might have just assumed it looks more attractive this way. And that\u2019s true, but the real purpose of this placement is for safety and functionality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, this means it\u2019s out of sight, making it harder to spot problems right away, and making it susceptible to problems like tree roots searching for a water source. This is actually a relatively common cause of sewer line damage and clogs, both of which require professional sewer line services to resolve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you\u2019d expect, tree roots crave water and fertilization. So even the smallest leak from your sewer line can attract them. While tree roots aren\u2019t the only threat to your sewer line, they\u2019re certainly a big one, and worth discussing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can Sewer Line Cleaning Help Prevent Tree Root Damage?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sewer line cleaning helps remove debris, buildup, and small root intrusions before they develop into major blockages. Regular sewer cleaning can improve wastewater flow, reduce pressure on aging pipes, and allow plumbers to identify root-related problems early. When combined with routine inspections, sewer drain cleaning can help prevent costly sewer line damage and emergency repairs caused by invasive tree roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

More Damage Than You Might Expect<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sewer pipes seem hard and impenetrable, right? For the most part, they are <\/em>pretty sturdy. But if your sewer line is on the older side, or even just made from less durable material, then it\u2019s going to be susceptible to persistent roots. Typically, the piping most impacted by roots is clay tile or Orangeburg, but even concrete and PVC can be negatively impacted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once tree roots have damaged and infiltrated the sewer line, they create two more <\/em>problems. Number one, the affected section of piping allows sewage to leak out into your yard\u2014you might notice standing water, spongy grass, or an unpleasant odor coming from your yard. Number two, roots can continue to grow, up into the pipes as the roots absorb water, causing a partial or complete blockage in the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Prevent Tree Root Damage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The best way to fix a problem with tree roots in your sewer line is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Our professional plumbers can help you determine where exactly your sewer line is located so that you can plant trees at a safe distance away. Keep in mind, too, that some trees are more likely to put out roots more than others!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re worried about the age or condition of your sewer line for any reason, our team can perform a video pipe inspection to investigate your plumbing and see if it is, in fact, susceptible to damage or deterioration, and take the appropriate steps from there, which might mean replacing your pipes with more durable and root-resistant material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Do if Roots Already Found Your Sewer Line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to performing video pipe inspection to make sure that tree roots are actually what you\u2019re dealing with, we have a variety of other professional grade tools to help us resolve this problem for you. Most likely, we\u2019ll use augers to break up the tree roots, and scour-jet or hydro-jet equipment to blast away the remaining root blockage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From there, you\u2019ll either need repairs on your sewer line, or replacement, both of which we can help with!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Question: How do tree roots get into sewer lines?<\/b>
<\/b>Answer:<\/b> Tree roots naturally seek out moisture and nutrients underground. Even small cracks, loose joints, or weak spots in a sewer pipe can attract roots. Once they find an opening, the roots grow inside the line, where water and nutrients support rapid growth and increase the risk of blockages and damage.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Question: What are the signs of tree roots in a sewer line?<\/b>
<\/b>Answer:<\/b> Common warning signs include slow drains, recurring clogs, gurgling sounds from plumbing fixtures, sewage odors, and backups throughout the home. Outside, you may notice unusually green grass, soggy patches, standing water, or unpleasant smells in areas above the sewer line.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Question: Can tree roots damage my sewer pipe?<\/b>
<\/b>Answer:<\/b> Yes, tree roots can cause significant damage over time. As roots expand inside the pipe, they can create blockages, widen existing cracks, and weaken the structure of the sewer line. If left untreated, the damage may lead to leaks, pipe collapse, and costly repairs.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Question: What should I do if tree roots are affecting my sewer line?<\/b>
<\/b>Answer:<\/b> If you suspect root intrusion, contact a professional plumber for an inspection. A sewer camera inspection can identify the location and severity of the problem. Depending on the condition of the pipe, solutions may include root removal, pipe cleaning, trenchless repair, or pipe replacement.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Question: How can I prevent tree roots from damaging my sewer line?<\/b>
<\/b>Answer:<\/b> Prevention starts with proper landscaping and routine sewer maintenance. Avoid planting large trees near underground sewer lines, schedule inspections for older plumbing systems, and address minor pipe damage before roots have a chance to enter. Early action can help protect your sewer line from future problems.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For expert plumbing in Glenview, IL<\/a>, installations, or maintenance contact Reliance Plumbing Sewer & Drainage, Inc.<\/a> Our knowledgeable plumbers serve the North Shore and Northwest Chicago suburbs. Rely on Reliance!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As you\u2019d expect, tree roots crave water and fertilization. So even the smallest leak from your sewer line can attract them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[81],"tags":[99,36],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.relianceplumbing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1015"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.relianceplumbing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.relianceplumbing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.relianceplumbing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.relianceplumbing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1015"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.relianceplumbing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1015\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1849,"href":"https:\/\/www.relianceplumbing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1015\/revisions\/1849"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.relianceplumbing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1015"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.relianceplumbing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1015"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.relianceplumbing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1015"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}