Getting Rid of Roots in Main Sewer Line: What to Do

Tree roots in main sewer lines can damage your pipes, cause clogs, and even lead to a flooded yard. Tree roots grow toward sources of moisture, and your sewer line contains wastewater. Over time, tree roots can grow around the pipe, then into the pipe, causing cracks and clogs.

So what can you do if you suspect tree roots clogging your sewer line? We explain the warning signs of tree root growth into your sewer pipes and several methods professional plumbers use to get rid of roots in main sewer lines.

King’s Services is one of the most reliable rooter services in Winnipeg, MB, with over 35 years of experience in plumbing and septic services. Our certified technicians can inspect your main sewer line for root intrusion and remove the clogs to restore your pipe. Call us at 204-633-9010 to discuss your needs. 

Why Do Tree Roots Grow into Sewer Lines? 

Tree roots in the soil draw moisture to nourish the tree’s trunk and branches. Since your sewer line contains nutrient-rich wastewater, tree roots grow towards the sewer line, around it, and eventually into it through small cracks in the piping. 

Old sewer lines are more susceptible to tree root growth (or intrusion) than modern pipes are due to the clay or concrete piping, which breaks down after just a decade or so. 

Any pipe deterioration can lead to tree roots in your main sewer line, as the decay leaves openings for the roots to grow through.

How To Get Rid of Roots in Main Sewer Line: 4 Methods

As a property owner, it is your responsibility to keep your sewage lines clear of tree roots. While some DIY solutions can remove small tree roots, the best way to address tree root growth in a sewer line is to call a professional.

Rock Salt to Remove Roots

Since roots need moisture to survive, rock salt is a great way to moisture starve them, as the salt sucks up all moisture, eventually killing the roots. Rock salt tends to be relatively cheap and widely available, both locally and online. 

To use rock salt to get rid of roots in a main sewer line, flush one to two pounds of rock salt down your toilet, half a pound at a time. Don’t flush your toilet for 12 hours, and make sure water does not run through it. If you still notice gurgling sounds or slow draining when you flush, the clog may be too large for rock salt to remove, so call a plumber.

Foaming Root Killer 

Foaming root killer chemically kills roots in a sewer system and can even prevent more roots from growing into the pipe later. This is a powder that you flush down the toilet, following the same method as you would other chemicals or rock salt.

You can use foaming root killer once a month to keep your pipes clear of tree roots. 

Mechanical Tree Root Removal 

If the simpler DIY solutions don’t remove the tree roots from your main sewer line, the most effective method is mechanical removal. 

Mechanical tree root removal is not a DIY job. Plumbers have the tools and experience to inspect your sewer pipe, select the best rooter method for your plumbing, and efficiently remove the tree roots without damaging the pipe.

The first step is to find where the root growth is concentrated in your sewer system. This is tricky to do yourself, but plumbers insert video cameras into the pipe to examine your sewer line and find the clog.

For extreme root growth and blockages, jetters, cable machines, and root cutters work efficiently to remove the root clog. Some tools, like root cutters, have special components, like heads and bits, that facilitate root removal. Your plumber will insert the tool into your sewer line and mechanically break up the tree root to clear away the clog.

Chemicals to Prevent Future Root Growth 

One of the best preventative measures you can take against root growth is s chemical product. These can help maintain your pipes and reduce root growth. You will need to first mechanically clear your pipes before using chemical products.

Copper sulfate is a popular chemical for clearing drains of roots, and you can buy it at most hardware stores. You flush half a cup of this substance down your toilet and wait 12 hours or overnight, and the chemical dissolves the tree root. 

However, copper sulfate is toxic, so this may not be the safest method. Check your city’s legislation on whether you are allowed to use chemicals before using them to remove roots in main sewer line.

Warnings Signs of Tree Root Growth in Sewer Main Line

To keep your sewer line free of tree root clogs, you should schedule pipe inspections every two years. A few warning signs of roots blocking sewage pipes include:

• Gurgling sounds when you flush the toilet
• Slow-draining toilets
• Water backing up into the toilet bowl when you flush
• Unusually fast-growing or green foliage
• Sinkholes or soft soil in your yard

If you notice these signs, call a plumber right away to inspect your main sewer line for tree root growth clogging the pipe. The best time to call is when you notice early warning signs, like gurgling sounds and slow draining. Once the issue escalates and the pipe leaks sewage into your yard, causing a sinkhole, the damage is more extensive and costly to fix.

Contact King’s Services for Professional Plumbing and Sewer Services

Tree roots can cause major damage to your pipes, but root removal doesn’t have to be a difficult job. Winnipeg company King’s Services has decades of experience with removal of roots in main sewer lines. Our licensed and background-checked technicians are available 24/7 to respond to your call and use state-of-the-art rooter methods to clear out your sewer line.

Do you need a sewer inspection and rooter services? Call King’s Services at 204-633-9010, and say goodbye to the headache of tree roots clogging your main sewer line.