Tree Root Removal
Tree roots find their way into sewer pipes through small cracks and joints, then grow into dense masses that catch everything flowing past. This page covers removing roots from inside the pipe.
Plumbing Nation is a referral service. Your call is connected to an independent plumbing provider, subject to availability in your area. Plumbing Nation may receive compensation when your call is connected with a participating provider. Providers are independent businesses.
Common signs
- Slow drains throughout the house
- Recurring main line clogs in the same season
- Large trees or shrubs over the sewer route
- A camera showing roots at pipe joints
What the provider typically checks
Roots are cut with a cable fitted with a root-cutting head or cleared with jetting. A camera pass afterward shows how the pipe looks and whether joints need repair.
Before you call
Note any large trees near where your sewer line runs and when the last clearing was done.
Related services
- Main Line Clog: Clearing a blockage in the main sewer line.
- Sewer Line Repair: Fixing a broken, cracked or offset section of sewer pipe, including excavation.
Questions
Do roots come back after removal?
They often do if the opening in the pipe remains. Repairing or lining the affected joints is what keeps them out.
Will cutting roots hurt the tree?
Cutting roots inside a pipe removes only a small portion of the root system. Ask an arborist about tree health concerns.
Who decides what the work will cost?
The independent provider sets the scope and the charges after looking at the problem. Confirm all details directly with the provider on the call.
Connect With a Sewer Repair Provider
Calls about tree root removal are connected to an independent plumbing provider, subject to availability. Plumbing Nation may receive compensation when your call is connected with a participating provider. Providers are independent businesses.