Tree Roots and Their Impact on Main Sewer Pipes: What Homeowners Need to Know

Tree roots may seem harmless, but they can cause significant problems when they invade your home’s main sewer line, leading from your house to the city sewer connection. This is a common yet often overlooked plumbing issue that can cause blockages, backups, and expensive repairs. Here’s a breakdown of how tree roots affect your sewer system and what you can do about it.

Sewer lines, particularly those made of older materials like clay, cast iron, or even PVC, are vulnerable to damage from tree roots. Tree roots are constantly searching for water and nutrients to fuel the growth of the tree. Your sewer pipes, which carry wastewater away from your home, provide an ideal environment for roots to penetrate, especially if the pipes have small cracks or seperated joints.

Once the roots make their way into the pipes, they can grow rapidly, causing blockages and eventually breaking or displacing sections of the pipe. This infiltration can lead to:

• Slow Draining: One of the first signs of root intrusion is slow drainage. The roots obstruct the flow of wastewater, causing a delay in drainage.

• Clogs and Backups: Roots can form dense masses that completely block the flow of sewage and grey water, leading to clogs in the system. This often results in sewage backups into your home, which can cause significant damage.

• Pipe Damage: Over time, roots can break through pipes, causing cracks, leaks, and even complete pipe failure. This type of damage is often costly to repair and can disrupt your home’s plumbing system.

When planting trees near your home, make sure to plant them at least 20 to 30 feet away from your sewer line. Choose trees with less invasive root systems, such as smaller or non-native species, to minimize the risk of root intrusion.

Regular maintenance and inspections of your sewer line can help detect root intrusion early before it causes significant damage. Video camera inspections can reveal the extent of the problem and help your plumber locate areas that may need repair.

If you suspect roots are already causing issues, professional root cutting can help. Plumbers use specialized equipment like root-cutting machines or hydro jetting to remove the roots from your sewer line. This should be done periodically to keep roots at bay.

If the roots have already caused significant damage to your pipes, you may need to repair or replace sections of the sewer line. Modern materials like PVC and ABS material pipes are less susceptible to root intrusion compared to older materials. For example, cast iron, transite and clay. If root damage is extensive, trenchless pipe repair may be an option, which minimizes disruption to your property.