Signs
- Slow drains throughout the house
- Gurgling toilets
- Backups through the floor drain
- Recurring clogs in the main line
Treatment
- Cut roots with a powered cable.
- Camera the line to see the damage.
- Repair or line damaged joints.
- Replace the line if many joints are affected.
Prevention
Plant trees away from the sewer line and schedule cleanings if roots are a known problem.
City trees
If roots come from a city tree, the City may have a role. Ask before removing boulevard trees.
Which trees cause trouble
Willow, poplar and silver maple roots travel a long way looking for a damp pipe joint. Many older Brampton boulevards are lined with maples planted when the subdivisions were new. If you are planting, choose smaller species and keep them well away from the line between your house and the street. A camera locate can mark the sewer route on your lawn so you know where not to plant.
Root-killing products sold for drains can slow regrowth after cutting, but they do not repair the joint the roots entered through. Read the label carefully and keep them away from septic systems.
Rather hand it over? Our plumbers handle backwater valve installation and main shut-off valve replacement along with everything else on our residential plumbing list.