Tree Roots in Sewer Line: Causes, What to Do & When to Call a Plumber

Short answerTree roots are likely in your sewer line if the main drain clogs repeatedly, especially in an older home with mature trees near the lateral. Roots enter through joints and cracks in clay and cast iron pipe. A sewer camera inspection confirms them; cutting removes them temporarily, while lining or replacement keeps them out.

Fix soon

Roots get worse over time and can lead to a full backup or broken pipe. Address them before the line blocks completely.

Emergency, or can it wait?

Call right away if…

Sewage backing up into the home

Usually OK to schedule if…

Slow drains with no backup — schedule a camera inspection

Signs of tree roots in sewer line

1Main line clogs that return every few months

2Gurgling toilets and slow drains throughout the house

3Backups after heavy water use

4Lush strips of grass over the sewer path

5Root fibers pulled out during drain cleaning

What causes it

Joint gaps in clay pipe

Short clay sections have many joints where roots enter.

Cracks in cast iron

Corroded or cracked cast iron lets roots through.

Mature trees near the lateral

Roots seek moisture and nutrients leaking from the line.

What you can check yourself

Do clogs return on a regular cycle?
Are there large trees between the house and the street?
Is the home older with clay or cast iron sewer pipe?

New blue water main pipe and valves exposed in an excavated trench — Stock photo: Rose Galloway Green / Unsplash

What happens when a plumber arrives

Camera inspection shows root locations and pipe condition.
Locate depth and position of root-infested joints.
Assess whether the pipe is intact enough for lining.

Repair options

Repair options
Option	When it’s used
Mechanical root cutting	Immediate relief
Hydro jetting	Clearing fine roots and debris after cutting
Root treatment	Slowing regrowth between cleanings
Pipe lining	Sealing joints in intact pipe
Section replacement	Crushed or badly damaged pipe

Tree Roots in Sewer Line: questions homeowners ask

Will tree roots come back after cleaning?

Usually yes. Cutting removes roots but not the gaps they entered through. Lining or repair is the permanent fix.

Do I need to remove the tree?

Often not. Lining seals the pipe so roots can’t enter, which lets many trees stay.

How often should roots be cleaned?

Many homeowners with known roots schedule cleaning every one to two years, based on what the camera shows.

Can roots break a sewer pipe?

Yes. Growing roots can crack and displace pipe sections, especially clay.

Does homeowners insurance cover root damage?

Standard policies often exclude it. Separate service line coverage may help.

Plumbing services for this problem

Sewer Line RepairSewer line repair fixes damage to the building sewer or lateral, the pipe that carries wastewater from a house to the public sewer main or septic system.Sewer Camera InspectionA sewer camera inspection sends a waterproof camera on a flexible push rod through the sewer lateral to record its condition.Hydro JettingHydro jetting cleans drain and sewer lines with water at high pressure, delivered through a hose with a nozzle that has rear-facing jets.Trenchless Sewer RepairTrenchless sewer repair replaces or rehabilitates a sewer lateral through small access points instead of a continuous trench.