How Tree Roots Can Damage Your Sewer Line
Tree roots are drawn to the moisture inside sewer pipes. They can enter through small cracks and loose joints, then keep growing inside the line.
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Originally published May 30, 2025 · Updated
Signs of root intrusion
As roots spread, they catch waste and paper, which can lead to slow drains, gurgling fixtures and sewage backups. Problems that return soon after a line has been cleared are a common sign.
Diagnosing the problem
A camera inspection shows where roots have entered and the condition of the pipe around them, so decisions are based on what is actually in the line.
Clearing is not the same as repair
Cutting or jetting roots out can restore flow, but it does not fix the cracked or separated pipe that let them in, so roots can return. Whether a section needs repair or replacement, and which method suits it, depends on the individual line and is decided after inspection.
Learn more about our sewer services or call Coast Plumbing Solutions at (805) 691-9905.
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