Tree Roots in Your Sewer Line? We’ll Cut Them Out and Keep Them Out
Tree roots love water, which means they love your sewer line. They grow wherever water is—and your sewer line is full of it.
In El Paso, tree root intrusion can be worse than in most other places. Our desert climate means water is scarce, so nearby trees grow roots aggressively toward any available moisture. Each tiny crack or loose joint in your sewer line is an open invitation to those pesky roots.
Once those roots get inside, they grow quickly. They block the flow, trap debris, and create clogs that keep coming back, no matter how many times you snake them.
We cut out the roots and help you keep them out for good.
How Do Roots Get Into Your Sewer Line Anyway?
It usually starts small. Your sewer line may get a hairline crack. A loose joint. A spot where the ground shifted and pulled the pipe apart slightly.
Tree roots are always hunting for water, and when they sense moisture escaping from your sewer line, they grow toward it. Then they squeeze into that tiny opening, keep going, and keep growing.
Once inside, they grow and spread fast. Your sewer pipe is always full of warm, wet nutrients, ideal conditions for root growth. A few small roots can easily become a tangled mess that catches everything flowing through your line.
Older homes in El Paso are especially at risk. Clay and cast-iron pipes have joints that roots can easily penetrate. If your home is 30+ years old with mature trees nearby, root intrusion is just a matter of time.
How We Remove Roots From Your Sewer Line
We won’t just poke a hole through the blockage and call the job done.
First, we send a camera down your sewer line to see what’s really going on. We’ll know exactly where the roots are and how far they’ve spread, and we can show you any damage to the pipe itself.
Next, we use our mechanical root-cutting tools to slice through the mass inside your pipe. These cutters spin at high speed, shearing roots away from the pipe walls without harming the line.
After cutting, we follow up with hydrojetting to blast out any remaining fragments and flush your system clean. When we’re done, your sewer line flows as it should.
We do all of this through existing cleanouts. There’s no digging required.
Keeping Those Roots Out
The truth is: root cutting solves the problem today, but roots always grow back. If the crack or joint leak in your sewer line remains, they will find it again.
As a permanent fix, we often recommend pipe relining after root removal. The epoxy liner in this pipe rehabilitation process seals every crack and gap from the inside. No entry point, no new roots. Simple as that.
Not ready for sewer pipe relining? We can set up a recurring maintenance schedule for you instead. Our annual cleanings will help keep tree roots under control until you’re ready for a long-term solution for your sewer lines.
We’ll walk you through what makes sense for your property and budget.
Root Removal for Homes and Businesses
Tree roots don’t care whether you’re a homeowner or a commercial property manager. They cause disruptions anywhere mature trees grow near sewer lines.
If you live in an older El Paso neighborhood—Sunset Heights, Kern Place, Central—chances are you’ve got mature trees and aging pipes. That tricky combination invites root problems on your property. Most of the time, homeowners don’t realize anything is wrong until drains slow down or back up completely.
Businesses and property managers can’t wait for a sewer line backup to tell them there’s a problem. Their tenants complain. Operations stop. Liability becomes a concern. To combat root intrusion in business properties, we recommend inspection and maintenance schedules that catch it early—before it disrupts your property.
Root Removal FAQs
How do I know if tree roots are in my sewer line?
Recurring clogs are often the biggest warning sign. Gurgling sounds and sewage odors can also indicate root intrusion. The most accurate way to confirm roots in your sewer line is through a professional camera inspection.
Will root removal damage my sewer line?
When performed by trained professionals, root removal can actually extend the life of your sewer line. Our mechanical cutters remove roots without harming pipe walls, and we tailor our approach based on the pipe’s material and overall condition.
How often do roots grow back?
Root regrowth depends on the tree species and how close it is to the sewer line. If the entry point isn’t sealed, roots typically return within one to three years.
Should I cut down the tree causing the problem?
Cutting down the tree won’t remove the roots already inside the pipe, and nearby trees can still invade the line. Sealing the sewer pipe with trenchless relining is usually far more effective than removing landscaping.
Can you remove roots without digging?
Yes. We access your sewer line through existing cleanouts, allowing us to remove roots without trenches, excavation, or damage to your yard.
Is it safe to use chemical root killers from the hardware store?
Over-the-counter root killers may slow growth temporarily, but they are often corrosive to older pipes and ineffective against fully blocked lines. Professional mechanical removal or hydro-jetting clears the pipe immediately, while trenchless relining is the most effective way to permanently seal root entry points.