Project Overview
Tree Roots in the Sewer Line: Drain Cleaning and Root Treatment in Ridge Crest, Flagstaff
A homeowner in the Ridge Crest neighborhood of Flagstaff called Bear Hug Plumbing because their toilet and drains were backing up. When more than one fixture backs up, the problem is usually not in a single drain. It is further down, in the main sewer line that carries everything out of the house.
Finding the Cause With a Sewer Camera
Instead of guessing, we started by looking. We ran our sewer camera into the line through the outdoor cleanout and watched the inside of the pipe on the monitor.
The camera showed what we suspected: tree roots had worked their way into the sewer line. Roots look for moisture, and they can find their way into small cracks and loose joints in underground pipe. Once inside, they catch paper and waste until the line chokes off.
Clearing the Roots From the Line
With the problem located, we used our drain cable machine to cut through the roots and clear the line from the cleanout. You can see what came out on the end of the cable.
Treating the Roots So They Grow Back Slower
Cutting roots out restores flow, but the roots that remain will keep growing. To slow that down, we applied a foaming root-control treatment to the sewer line. The foam fills the pipe and reaches the roots that cutting alone leaves behind.
While we were there, we also made a small repair to the toilet. The work was finished the same day, in about three hours on site, and came with a 90-day warranty.
What This Means for Flagstaff Homeowners
Tree roots are one of the most common causes of sewer backups in Flagstaff, especially on properties with mature trees and older sewer lines. A few things to keep in mind:
- If more than one drain backs up at the same time, call a plumber instead of reaching for a plunger or chemical drain cleaner.
- A camera inspection shows whether roots, a sag, or broken pipe is causing the problem, so you can decide on a repair with real information.
- Root treatment can keep a line flowing longer between cleanings. If the pipe itself is badly damaged, sewer line repair or trenchless replacement may be the longer-term fix.
Drain Cleaning and Sewer Help in Flagstaff
If your toilet or drains are backing up, Bear Hug Plumbing can find the cause and clear it. Learn more about our drain cleaning services in Flagstaff, or call (928) 774-4357.
