Open initial flow
A cable or suitable nozzle may first establish drainage and access through the obstruction.
Done Right Since 1950 ✦
Root Cutting & Sewer Cleaning
Root cutting removes intruding roots to restore flow and make the pipe visible for diagnosis. It does not seal the joint, crack, or opening where roots entered, so regrowth is likely unless the structural defect is repaired, lined, or replaced.
Warning Signs & Reasons to Schedule Service
- Recurring sewer backups during wet or growing seasons.
- Roots are retrieved by a cable or visible on camera.
- An older clay, cast iron, or jointed line crosses landscaped areas.
- Flow improves temporarily after cleaning and then declines again.
- The camera cannot pass a dense root mass.
What the Process Usually Includes
Cut and flush roots
Root-cutting tools are selected for pipe size, material, condition, and access.
Camera the cleaned line
The entry points, offsets, cracks, joints, and remaining roots are documented when visibility allows.
Plan correction or maintenance
Repair, lining, replacement, or a defined cleaning interval is discussed based on defects and risk.
Advice for Common Situations
Do not treat root killer as a structural repair
Chemical products cannot close a broken joint or cracked pipe.
Avoid oversized cutters in fragile pipe
Tool selection should account for offsets, corrosion, and remaining wall strength.
Repair the entry point when practical
Long-term correction requires addressing the defect that admits roots.
Consider consequence of failure
A line serving finished space or critical operations may justify proactive repair rather than repeated emergency cleaning.
Root Cutting & Sewer Cleaning FAQs
Will root cutting permanently solve the problem?
No. Roots can regrow through the same opening unless the defect is corrected.
Can hydro jetting remove all roots?
It can remove many roots with appropriate nozzles, but dense or woody intrusion may require mechanical cutting or repair.
How soon do roots return?
Timing varies with species, moisture, defect size, season, and how completely roots were removed.
Can a root-damaged sewer be lined?
Sometimes, after cleaning and evaluation, if the pipe has suitable shape, continuity, access, and structural conditions.