Roots in a Sewer Line
Roots commonly enter old clay tile sewer lines at open joints or where the tile has been cracked or crushed.
If you live a wooded lot and have problems with tree roots invading your sewer system and clogging it up, don’t assume you have to cut the trees down! As you can see from the photo, the tree roots work their way through cracks or joints in older sewer lines made of clay tile, cast iron or an asphalt composite style called “orangeberg” piping. The roots are seeking that nutrient rich soup you’re sending down the drains and toilets (there’s no accounting for taste). Clay and cast iron are rarely used anymore because of those loose-fitting joints that tree roots can penetrate. These materials are also heavy, hard to work with, expensive, brittle and prone to breakage. Nowadays nearly all sewer lines are made of plastic pipe—it’s cheap, tough and lightweight, and the joints are impervious to tree roots.
You’ve got three options, none ideal: Continue reaming the lines periodically, cut down the trees, or call in the pros. Larger sewer-cleaning companies will ream out the line or actually send a mini video camera inside the pipe to determine exactly what the problem is. They’ll find out if the line is crushed, cracked, or sloped improperly, or if tree roots are worming their way through cracks or loose joints. Then they’ll recommend a course of action, which could be:
Roots commonly enter old clay tile sewer lines at open joints or where the tile has been cracked or crushed.
Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.