Tree roots in sewer lines are a common nuisance that causes sewer systems to get clogged, backed up and unable to do their jobs. In older homes, especially, tree roots are the most common cause of clogged sewer lines.

This is because tree roots actively seek out the moisture within sewer lines, growing into the pipe for the water and nutrients each tree needs to survive. But luckily, there are things you can do to get rid of tree roots in sewer lines and to never have to worry about your pipes clogging again.

Want to know how you can remove these tree roots in sewer lines and get those clogged sewer lines flowing properly again? Here’s a list of the top three ways to remove tree roots from your sewer lines:

Mechanically cutting the roots with an auger

The most simple method for root removal is to physically cut the roots out. This is done with a professional sewer auger, which has rotating blades attached that can cut the roots and un-clog the sewer line. However, this technique isn’t always 100% effective, as it occasionally misses roots, and it doesn’t prevent the roots from growing back.

High-pressure blasts of water

Some professionals use hydro jetters, which are water pumps that can send blasts as powerful as 4,000 psi, or 17 to 18 gallons per minute, down a sewer line, stripping away any roots and other obstructions from the inside of the pipe. After doing this, it’s usually recommended to follow up with a chemical treatment that will keep roots from re-growing into the pipe.

Chemical root removal

A professional root-killing service often involves the use of a chemical substance that will kill any roots within the sewer lines and clear them out of the pipes. This chemical formula typically consists of metam-sodium and dichlobenil — copper sulfate crystals are also highly effective at preventing root growth in the future.

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