Hydro Jetting
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Plain-English article
Tree Roots in Sewer Line in Thornton, CO: Signs and Fixes
A sound pipe is not broken by roots. They seek out a crack or a loose joint, slip in and grow, because sewer water carries moisture and nutrients. Over time the roots form a mat that catches paper and grease.
By the Thornton Plumbing Co. team ·
Signs roots are in the line
Drains that gurgle, slow tubs, toilets that bubble when another fixture drains and backups that return every few months are classic signs. A basement drain that fills first is another.
A camera inspection shows roots as fine threads or thick masses at joints. It also shows the pipe condition and where the roots enter.
Why older houses are at risk
Clay tile pipe has many joints, and joints loosen with soil movement. Fiber conduit can soften and deform. These materials were common in mid-century houses, including many built from the 1950s on.
Mature trees such as cottonwoods, willows and maples have roots that reach far. Newer plastic pipe with tight joints resists roots well, but old repairs and connections can still be weak points.
How roots are cleared
A cutting head on a cable or a hydro jet removes the root mass from the pipe. This restores flow, but it does not repair the crack. Roots often return within months to years, depending on the tree and the opening.
See hydro jetting for how a jet cleans the pipe wall, and drain cleaning for routine clearing.
Ways to deal with roots
Clearing is not the same as fixing.
| Approach | What it does | How long it lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Cable with cutting head | Cuts the root mass | Months, often |
| Hydro jetting | Cuts and flushes the pipe wall | Months to years |
| Spot repair | Fixes the entry point | Long term for that spot |
| Lining or replacement | Renews the pipe | Many years |
Lasting fixes
If the pipe is otherwise sound, a spot repair at the root entry point stops the cause. If the pipe is cracked along its length, lining or replacement is the lasting answer. See sewer line repair and replacement.
Chemical root killers can slow regrowth in some cases, but they do not fix cracks, and some products are harsh. Ask a plumber before you use one.
Prevention
Know where your lateral runs before you plant a tree. Keep large trees well away from the line, and choose species with less aggressive roots. A cleanout near the house makes maintenance easier.
Book a camera inspection every few years if your house is older or has big trees. It is cheaper to find a crack than to fix a collapse.
Who is responsible
The lateral that runs from the house to the city main is generally the owner's. Thornton maintains the main and its collection system. If roots from a city tree are involved, ask the city, but be ready to document the damage.
Insurance may or may not cover root damage. Read your policy, and ask about sewer backup coverage.
How roots get in
Roots search for moisture and nutrients. A sewer line carries both. A hairline crack, a loose joint or a failing seal lets vapor escape, and roots follow it. Once a thread of root enters, it grows into a mat that catches paper and grease and narrows the pipe.
Older clay and cast iron pipes with many joints are the most exposed. Newer PVC has tighter joints, though roots can still find a poor connection or a spot that shifted.
Signs to watch for
Slow drains in several fixtures, gurgling when a washer empties, a sewer odor in the yard and a toilet that backs up after heavy use are typical. Patches of unusually green grass over the line can also hint at a leak.
A pattern matters more than one event. If a backup returns every few months after a snaking, roots are a likely cause.
Clearing and then fixing
A cutting head on a drain machine chops roots back to the pipe wall, and hydro jetting washes the debris out. Both give relief, but roots return unless the opening is repaired. See hydro jetting and sewer camera inspection.
A camera shows where the roots enter and whether the pipe is cracked, offset or sagging. A short damaged stretch can often be repaired in place. A pipe that is failing along its length may be a candidate for replacement. Read sewer line repair and sewer line replacement to see how contractors decide.
Trees, planning and the digging rule
Before you plant, look at where the sewer line runs, and choose a spot well away from it. Thornton's lots vary, so ask the city whether it has a record of your lateral. Check before digging anywhere. In Colorado, call 811 for free line marking before breaking ground.
Never pour copper sulfate or rock salt down a drain to kill roots without reading the label and local rules, since many are restricted and can harm pipes and the environment. A plumber has safer tools for the job.
What to ask a contractor
Ask to see the camera footage, and ask the contractor to mark the depth and distance of the problem. Request a written scope that says whether the work is a cleaning, a spot repair or a replacement, and what each will cost. If the quote is for a replacement, ask why a repair will not do.
Check the contractor's license on the state's lookup tool before you sign. Colorado's State Plumbing Board sets license types, and the state posts them publicly.
Maintenance that helps
Some homeowners schedule a periodic cleaning of a line known to have roots, with a camera check afterward to see how the pipe is holding up. The interval depends on what the camera shows, so ask the contractor for a recommendation based on the footage rather than a fixed calendar.
Quick answers
Asked about tree root
Repeat clogs and gurgling are common signs. A camera inspection confirms them.
It clears the pipe, but roots return unless the crack is repaired.
If sewage backs up, yes. Stop using water and call.
Choose a spot well away, and know where the line runs.
Connected services
Sewer Camera Inspection
Feed a camera down the line to see its true condition before you pay for repairs or close on a house. Open page
Sewer Line Repair
Correct a broken, root-invaded or bellied sewer lateral, whether the repair is one spot or a longer run. Open page
Related reading
Sewer smell in the house
A rotten egg or sewage smell has a short list of sources: a dry trap, a vent, a broken pipe or a backup. Here is how to track it down. Open page
Toilet will not flush
A toilet that will not flush usually has a handful of causes, from a lifted chain to a blocked main line. Here is how to sort them. Open page
Why the water bill is so high
A jump in the bill usually has a short list of causes: a leak, a seasonal change, an irrigation setting or a billing mistake. Here is how to sort them. Open page
Roots in the line?
Call and mention the tree and how often the line slows.