Tree Roots in Sewer Line? 7 Red Flags to Watch
If your sink is draining slow or your yard smells strange near the pipes, you might have tree roots in your sewer line. This is a common sewer line problem here in Utah.
Our team at Allstar Service & Repair has fixed this issue in homes all across the state. We know the signs to look for, and we know how to fix it fast.
Let's break down what causes this problem, the warning signs to watch for, and what you can do about it.
Why Tree Roots Love Utah Sewer Lines
Utah has a lot of older neighborhoods with mature trees. Cities like Salt Lake City, Sandy, Bountiful, and Provo have streets lined with big trees that have been growing for decades.
Many homes in these areas still have old clay or cast iron sewer pipes running underground.
Tree roots are naturally drawn to sewer lines because:
Older clay and cast iron pipes often develop small cracks or loose joints over time.
Tree roots constantly search for water and nutrients.
Even tiny openings in a sewer pipe allow roots to grow inside.
Once inside, roots continue expanding until they partially or completely block the pipe.
Plumbers call this tree root intrusion, and it's one of the leading causes of sewer line damage in older Utah neighborhoods. It's also one of the most common reasons we get called out for emergency sewer repair across the Salt Lake Valley.
7 Warning Signs You Have Tree Roots in Your Sewer Line
1. Slow Drains in More Than One Room
One slow drain might just be a clogged sink. But if your shower, toilet, and kitchen sink are all draining slow at the same time, that's a sign the problem sits deeper in the main drain line, not just one fixture.
2. Gurgling Sounds From Drains or Toilets
Do you hear bubbling when you flush the toilet or run the washer? That sound usually means air is trapped behind a blockage, often caused by roots pushing into the pipe.
3. Sewer Smells Inside or Outside Your Home
A clogged sewer can push gas back up through your drains. If you smell rotten eggs or sewage near your yard or in your bathroom, don't ignore it.
4. Lush, Green Patches in Your Yard
This sounds strange, but it's true. A leaking sewer line acts like fertilizer for your lawn. If you notice one section of grass growing greener and thicker than the rest, that could be where roots have broken into the pipe.
5. Repeated Clogs After Drain Cleaning
Have you called a plumber for drain cleaning more than once this year for the same clog? That's a red flag. Basic cleaning might clear the blockage for a little while, but if roots are tangled inside the pipe, the clog will keep coming back.
6. Sewer Backup During Heavy Rain or Snowmelt
If your basement drain backs up every time it rains hard or the snow melts fast, your line might already have roots blocking part of the flow. Extra water just makes the backup happen sooner.
7. Cracks or Sinking Spots in Your Yard or Driveway
Large roots can shift soil and even crack concrete near where the line runs. If you see new dips, cracks, or soft spots in your yard, it's worth getting checked out.
What Happens If You Wait Too Long
Ignoring tree root intrusion can quickly turn a small repair into a major plumbing emergency.
Waiting too long can lead to:
Complete sewer backups inside your home
Sewage coming up through sinks, tubs, or floor drains
Damage to flooring, walls, and personal belongings
Cracked or collapsed sewer pipes
A full sewer line replacement instead of a simple repair
Much higher repair costs than addressing the problem early
The longer roots remain inside the pipe, the more they grow and the more damage they can cause.
How We Find and Fix Root Problems
Here's how our team handles it.
1. Sewer Camera Inspection
First, we run a sewer camera inspection. We send a small camera down the line so we can see exactly what's happening inside the pipe.
We usually feed it through an existing access point, like a cleanout near your home, so there's no need to dig or cut into anything just to take a look.
This sewer inspection shows us where the roots are, how big they've grown, and whether there's any damage to the pipe itself. No guessing involved.
2. Hydro Jetting
Once we know what we're dealing with, we usually start with hydro jetting. Hydro jetting a sewer line uses a strong stream of water to cut through roots and clear out buildup along the pipe walls.
It's faster and more thorough than a standard drain snake, and it won't damage the pipe.
3. Trenchless Sewer Repair (If Needed)
If the pipe itself is cracked or collapsed, hydro jetting alone won't solve the long term issue. In those cases, we look at trenchless sewer repair. This method relies on trenchless technology to fix or replace the pipe without digging up your whole yard.
It saves your landscaping, your driveway, and a good amount of time and money compared to old fashioned dig and replace jobs.
4. Review the Results With You
We also record the camera footage so you can see exactly what we found. A lot of our customers like watching that video walkthrough. It helps you understand the problem and feel confident about the fix, instead of just taking our word for it.
Simple Sewer Line Maintenance Tips
You can lower your risk of sewer line issues with a little regular care.
Schedule an inspection every couple of years, especially if you have large trees near your sewer line. Catching small root growth early is a lot cheaper than fixing a collapsed pipe later.
If you've had root issues before, ask about a yearly hydro jetting service. This keeps the line clear before roots have a chance to build back up.
Pay attention to your drains. Slow draining sinks or tubs are often the first clue that something is starting to grow inside your drain pipes.
Get Your Sewer Line Checked Today
Tree roots in your sewer line are a common problem for Utah homes, but they don't have to turn into a disaster. If you've noticed any of these warning signs, our team at Allstar Service & Repair is ready to help.
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