Advice Reel: Drains
Tree Roots in Sewer Lines
Oakville is proud of its tree canopy. Underground, those same trees go looking for water, and an aging sewer line is an easy find.
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The short version
Roots do not break into sound pipe. They find a weakness first: an open joint, a hairline crack or a loose fitting. Warm, moist air from the sewer draws fine root hairs toward the gap. Once inside, they grow into a mat that catches toilet paper and waste. Slow drains turn into backups.
Clearing the roots restores flow for a while. Stopping them for good means fixing the openings they used. That is the whole story in two sentences.
What you notice, what we usually find
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Basement drain slows every spring | Roots entering clay lateral joints |
| Gurgle in the floor drain | Partial blockage in the main |
| Backup after laundry | Root mass catching lint and paper |
Step by step
- Watch for the clues. Gurgling toilets, slow drains on the bottom floor, and water coming up through the lower level floor drain when the washing machine empties are classic clues.
- Note the pattern. Root problems frequently get worse in late summer and autumn, when trees seek moisture during dry spells.
- Get a camera inspection. A sewer camera inspection shows where the roots are, how heavy they are, and what condition the pipe is in.
- Clear the line. A cutting head on a drain machine trims the roots, and hydro jetting can wash the pieces away and clean the pipe walls.
- Decide on repair. If the pipe is cracked, offset or collapsing, sewer line repair stops the roots from returning.
Mistakes to avoid
- Counting on root-killing chemicals by themselves. Some products may slow regrowth, but they do not repair the opening and can be harmful if misused.
- Clearing again and again without a camera look. Repeat clearing hides a pipe that is getting worse.
- Planting thirsty trees over the sewer line. Willow, poplar and silver maple have a reputation for aggressive roots. Ask about the line's route before planting.
- Waiting for a full backup. Sewage in the basement is far more costly than a planned visit at the first gurgle.
Stop and phone a plumber when
- 1A ceiling or wall starts dripping
- 2More than one drain backs up at once
- 3You smell gas or sewage indoors
- 4A valve will not turn or drips when touched
When to call
Call as soon as you notice more than one drain slowing at once, or the floor drain backing up. Those signs put the blame on the main line, not one fixture. If a backup is already happening, stop using water in the house and phone for main sewer line clearing.
Older Oakville neighbourhoods with mature trees and original clay or cast iron laterals see this problem most. That includes much of the south end, from Old Oakville and Kerr Village to Bronte. In those areas, a camera inspection before buying a home is money well spent. Read our buying a home plumbing checklist for more.
Straight answers to common calls
Can I remove the tree to fix the problem?
Removing the tree does not repair the pipe, and roots already inside will keep causing clogs until cleared. In Oakville, removing larger trees may also need a permit, so check with the Town first.
How often do roots grow back after clearing?
It varies with the tree, the season and the size of the openings. Some lines need attention every year or two; a repair stops the cycle.
Keep reading
- Sewer Camera Inspection in Oakville
Guessing at a buried pipe wastes money; the camera ends the guessing.
- Hydro Jetting in Oakville
A cable punches through a clog.
- Sewer Line Repair in Oakville
A cracked or collapsed sewer pipe does not heal.
- Main Sewer Line Clearing in Oakville
When every drain in the home slows at once, the trouble is not under the sink.
Ready when you are
One call books the visit. Tell us what you are seeing and we will tell you straight what it likely is.