Signs of tree roots in a sewer line

Tree roots go looking for water, and a sewer line is a steady supply of it, with nutrients as a bonus. Root intrusion starts when a root finds a hairline gap at a joint. Once inside it branches, and the fine roots catch paper and grease until the line is partly blocked. The blockage grows slowly, so the early signs are easy to put down to something else. If you already suspect roots, our foaming root killer page covers the treatment options.

What are the signs of tree roots in a sewer line?

The main signs are slow drains in more than one fixture, gurgling toilets or tubs, a sewer smell indoors or in the yard, and clogs that return soon after clearing. Roots partly restrict the pipe, so the symptoms start mild and get more frequent over months.

A list to check against:

• Two or more drains slow at once, especially the lowest in the house.
• Gurgling from toilets, showers or floor drains.
• A sewer odor inside, or near the cleanout or front yard.
• A clog that clears and returns within weeks.
• Toilets that need frequent plunging for no obvious reason.
• A drain that backs up when the washing machine runs.
• Water or sewage at the lowest drain, in a worse case.

One slow sink alone is rarely roots. The pattern across the house is what matters.

Are there signs outside the house?

Yes. Look along the path of the line from the house to the street. A strip of lawn that stays greener, a damp patch, a sunken area, or a sewer smell near the cleanout can show that water and gas are escaping and roots are feeding. A crack in a nearby walkway sometimes follows a tree root, though not always.

These signs are suggestive, not proof. A leaking sprinkler can look the same. Tracing the line is easier if you know where your cleanout is, which is often a capped pipe near the front of the house. A plumber can also use a locator with a camera to show where the pipe runs under the yard.

Which trees are the usual suspects?

Fast-growing, thirsty trees with wide root systems cause most trouble. Plumbers in Southern California commonly name ficus, eucalyptus, pepper trees, magnolia, willow, poplar and jacaranda. Planting distance matters, and guides disagree on how far is safe, with figures from about 25 feet to 50 feet for aggressive species.

We cannot give a single safe distance, and it depends on the species, soil and the age of the pipe. What matters more is the pipe: old clay joints and deteriorating cast iron or Orangeburg pipe are far easier for roots to enter than modern plastic pipe. Orangeburg, a tar-and-fiber pipe installed until the early 1970s, softens and deforms over time, which makes it especially open to roots.

You also do not need to own the tree. A neighbor's tree or a tree in the parkway can send roots into your line, and the roots may reach it from well away from the trunk.

How can I tell roots from grease or a collapsed pipe?

A camera inspection is the only reliable way. Roots look like white or brown fibrous masses entering at a joint or crack. Grease looks like a smooth, pale coating on the pipe wall. A collapse looks like a dark, deformed or missing section. Symptoms alone cannot tell them apart.

Why it matters: each needs a different fix. Roots need cutting or jetting and then a plan to stop them returning. Grease needs hydro jetting and a change of habits. A collapse needs repair or replacement, and clearing it only wastes money. See our pages on sewer camera inspection and what dissolves tree roots in sewer lines for more.

What should I do if I think there are roots in my line?

Do not wait for a full backup. Note the symptoms, find the cleanout, and arrange a camera inspection. If the camera shows roots, cutting and jetting clears them, and the footage shows whether the pipe is sound enough to keep clearing or should be lined or replaced.

Be careful with home products. Foaming root killers and other chemicals can slow regrowth in some lines, but they do not repair the opening that roots entered, and the right choice depends on the pipe. Avoid pouring strong chemicals into a line that might be cracked.

If sewage is already coming up in the house, stop using water and read our page on emergency sewer backup.

Who is responsible for roots in the sewer line in Los Angeles?

In the City of Los Angeles, the owner maintains the private sewer lateral, including the part under the sidewalk and street. The City's permit manual treats a house connection blocked by tree roots as the owner's responsibility, whether the blockage is on your lot or in the public right of way. LA County says the same for its areas.

Trees in the parkway are a separate matter. StreetsLA requires a permit before a street tree is removed, trimmed or root pruned, and Los Angeles also protects certain native trees, including oaks (except scrub oak), California sycamore, Southern California black walnut and bay laurel that are at least 4 inches across, with a permit needed to remove one or to do work that may kill it. Do not cut a tree or its roots to solve a sewer problem before checking those rules.

Work on a lateral also needs permits, with different ones for private property and for the street. We'll arrange a local plumber who deals with that, and your quote should list who pulls what.

How much does it cost to deal with roots?

It depends on how bad the roots are and what the pipe is like. Clearing roots with a cable or jet is a smaller job than lining or replacing a pipe, and the cost goes up when roots keep returning. Our roots in pipes removal cost page lays out what drives the price.

If roots return every few months, ask about lining the pipe, since a new liner can seal the joints roots enter through. See sewer pipe lining for how that works.

To confirm whether roots are the cause, request a price and we'll arrange a camera visit. You can also go back to the LA Drain Works home page.

Questions people ask

How long does it take to clear tree roots from a sewer line?

Clearing roots with a cable or jet usually takes an hour or two once the plumber reaches the cleanout, and a camera visit comes first. Lining or replacement takes longer, and permits add time, so ask for a schedule with the quote.

What should I ask before I hire someone for root removal?

Ask whether a camera is included, what method will be used, and what the plan is if roots return. Ask whether the pipe is sound enough to keep clearing, whether any permit applies, and get a written quote before any work starts.

Do I need to be home for the visit?

Yes, at least at the start, so the plumber can reach the cleanout and see which fixtures are affected. Let us know about locked gates, pets or a cleanout hidden under plants in advance, so nobody wastes time hunting for it.

Will cutting the tree stop the roots?

Not right away. Roots already inside the pipe can keep growing, and removing a tree does not clear them. Some trees are also protected in Los Angeles, and street trees need a permit, so check the rules before cutting anything.

Do roots always mean the pipe is broken?

No. Roots can enter a small gap at a joint without the pipe being broken. But a growing root mass can widen the gap, and the pipe may have been weak already. A camera shows how much damage is there and whether the pipe can be sealed.