Tree roots are one of the most common causes of sewer line and septic system failure. While trees add beauty and value to your Lackawaxen, PA, property, their root systems are relentless. They seek out moisture and nutrients. Your sewer pipes are a perfect source for both.
Once a root finds a tiny crack or a loose joint in a pipe, it enters. Inside the pipe, the root grows quickly. It creates a “nest” that catches grease, toilet paper, and waste. Eventually, this causes a total blockage. If left untreated, the roots will expand until the pipe shatters.
Signs You Have Roots in Your Pipes
You usually cannot see the problem until it becomes an emergency. However, your plumbing will give you warnings.
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Slow Drains: If every sink and tub in the house is draining slowly, the problem is likely in the main line.
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Gurgling Sounds: Listen to your toilets. If they make a bubbling or gurgling noise after you flush, air is being trapped by a root mass.
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Sewage Backups: This is the most obvious sign. If water backs up into the lowest drains in your home, the line is blocked.
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Green Patches: Is one area of your lawn much greener or faster-growing than the rest? This often indicates a leaking sewer line feeding the grass.
Mechanical Root Removal Methods
The first step in fixing a root problem is physically removing the obstruction. There are several ways to do this depending on the severity of the intrusion.
Mechanical Augers and Snakes
A professional plumber or septic technician uses a motorized auger. This tool has a rotating head with sharp blades. As the cable is fed into the pipe, the blades spin and cut through the roots like a saw.
This method is effective for restoring flow immediately. However, it does not remove all the hair-like fibers of the roots. It is a temporary fix because the roots will begin to grow back almost immediately.
High-Pressure Hydro-Jetting
At Triple J Services, we recommend high-pressure drain jetting (hydro-jetting). This process uses water pressurized to several thousand pounds per square inch. A specialized nozzle is inserted into the pipe.
Hydro-jetting does more than just cut the roots. It scours the interior walls of the pipe. It blasts away grease, scale, and the fine root hairs that augers miss. This leaves the pipe nearly as clean as the day it was installed. It is the most thorough way to clear a line without digging.
Chemical Root Treatments
Once the main blockage is cleared, you need to stop the roots from returning. Chemical treatments are a popular follow-up to mechanical cleaning.
Copper Sulfate
Copper sulfate is a common root killer. It creates a toxic environment for the roots without killing the entire tree. When poured down a toilet, it travels to the root mass and begins to dehydrate the plant tissue.
Foaming Root Killers
Foaming chemicals are often more effective than liquids. Because roots enter through the top and sides of a pipe, liquids often flow right past them on the bottom. Foaming agents expand to fill the entire diameter of the pipe. They coat the roots at the top where they are most likely to enter. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it is important to use products specifically labeled for residential septic use to avoid killing the beneficial bacteria in your tank.
Structural Repairs for Root Damage
If the roots have caused significant structural damage, cleaning the line is not enough. You must seal the entry points.
Pipe Lining
Trenchless pipe lining involves inserting a resin-coated sleeve into the existing pipe. Once the resin hardens, it creates a new “pipe within a pipe.” This new surface has no joints or cracks, making it impossible for roots to enter in the future.
Sectional Replacement
In cases where the pipe has collapsed or shifted, excavation is necessary. Triple J Services provides excavation and utility trenching for these exact scenarios. We dig down to the damaged section, remove the old pipe, and install modern, root-resistant PVC. We ensure the new joints are sealed tightly to prevent future intrusions.
Dealing with Roots in the Leach Field
Roots don’t just attack the main sewer line. They can also infiltrate your leach field or “Turkey Mound.”
The leach field is designed to disperse effluent into the soil. Because this soil is constantly moist, it is a magnet for tree roots. When roots clog the perforated pipes in your leach field, the system cannot “breathe.” This leads to surfacing sewage and foul odors.
Repairing a leach field is a specialized task. We often have to clear the lines or, in severe cases, replace the distribution box and piping. Maintaining a clear perimeter around your septic system is the best way to prevent this expensive repair.
Preventative Measures for Homeowners
Prevention is always cheaper than repair. If you live in a wooded area like Lackawaxen or the surrounding Poconos, you must be proactive.
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Map Your Lines: Know exactly where your septic tank and sewer lines are located.
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Strategic Planting: Never plant trees directly over or within 10 feet of your sewer lines.
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Choose “Safe” Trees: If you must plant near a line, choose slow-growing species with non-aggressive root systems. Avoid willows, maples, and elms near your septic components.
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Regular Inspections: Schedule a septic system inspection every few years. We can use cameras to see inside the pipes and catch root growth before it causes a backup.
The Role of the Grinder Pump
If your property uses a grinder pump or effluent pump, root intrusions are even more dangerous. Roots can block the inlet to the pump basin. This causes the pump to run dry or burn out. If the pump fails, sewage will back up into your home almost immediately.
Triple J Services handles grinder pump repair and installation. We ensure that the basin is sealed and that the lines leading to and from the pump are clear of obstructions. Regular maintenance of these pumps is essential for any property where gravity drainage isn’t an option.
Why Professional Service Matters
It is tempting to try “DIY” root removal with store-bought chemicals. Most of the time, these products are too weak to solve a real blockage. Furthermore, using the wrong tools can break old clay or cast-iron pipes.
Triple J Services brings professional-grade equipment to every job. We understand the local soil conditions in Pennsylvania. We know how the freeze-thaw cycle affects pipe joints and root behavior.
When you call us for emergency septic pumping or high-pressure jetting, you are getting a team that looks at the whole system. We don’t just fix the clog; we help you understand how to prevent the next one.
Understanding French Drains and Drainage Solutions
Sometimes, what looks like a sewer problem is actually a surface drainage issue. Excess groundwater can put pressure on your septic system and encourage root growth toward your tank.
We install French drains and other drainage solutions to move water away from your septic components. By keeping the area around your tank and leach field at a normal moisture level, you make it less attractive to thirsty tree roots.
Triple J Services: Your Lackawaxen Septic Experts
Triple J Services is a local, family-owned business. We take pride in serving our neighbors in Lackawaxen and the surrounding areas. Our mission is to provide reliable, honest, and high-quality septic services.
Our About Us page details our commitment to the community. We aren’t just a faceless corporation. We are technicians who live and work in the same environment as you.
Whether you need a full septic system installation or a quick emergency pump, we have the tools and the experience. You can see our full list of services to learn more about how we can protect your property.
Summary of Root Removal Steps
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Identify: Look for slow drains and gurgling toilets.
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Inspect: Use a sewer camera to locate the root mass.
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Clear: Use hydro-jetting to scours the pipes clean.
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Treat: Apply root-killing foam to prevent regrowth.
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Repair: Replace or line pipes that have structural damage.
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Maintain: Schedule regular inspections and pumping.
The health of your home depends on a functioning waste system. Don’t let tree roots take control of your plumbing. For more information on maintaining your system, check out the National Small Flows Clearinghouse for technical guides on decentralized wastewater.
Tired of slow drains? Clear the roots and protect your pipes today. Contact Triple J Services for professional hydro-jetting and septic care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tree Roots and Septic Systems
1. What is the most effective way to remove tree roots from a sewer line?
The most effective professional method is high-pressure hydro-jetting. Unlike mechanical snakes that only cut a small hole through the center of a blockage, hydro-jetting uses pressurized water to scour the entire inner diameter of the pipe. This process removes grease, scale, and the fine root hairs that would otherwise lead to immediate regrowth.
2. Will pouring salt down the toilet kill tree roots?
While rock salt can dehydrate and kill roots, it is generally not recommended for homes with septic systems. Large amounts of salt can disrupt the delicate balance of beneficial bacteria in your septic tank and may damage the soil structure of your leach field. It is safer to use a foaming root killer specifically labeled “Septic Safe.”
3. How do I know if tree roots are clogging my septic tank?
Common symptoms include multiple slow drains throughout the house, gurgling sounds coming from your toilets, and sewage backing up into floor drains or bathtubs. You may also notice a specific area of your lawn that is unusually lush or “spongy” to walk on, which suggests a pipe has been breached by roots.
4. Can a septic system inspection detect roots before a backup occurs?
Yes. A professional septic inspection using a sewer camera can identify tiny root “fingers” entering the pipe through joints or small cracks. Catching these early allows for hydro-jetting or chemical treatment before the roots expand enough to cause a total pipe collapse or a sewage backup.
5. What trees are safe to plant near a sewer or septic line?
If you must plant near your septic system, choose slow-growing species with “shallow” root systems. Small dogwoods, crabapples, and certain varieties of cherry trees are safer options. Avoid “water-seeking” trees like Willows, Silver Maples, Elms, and Birches, as their roots are notorious for traveling long distances to find pipes.
6. How much does it cost to remove roots from a sewer pipe in PA?
The cost varies depending on the severity of the blockage and the method used. A basic mechanical snaking may be less expensive upfront, but high-pressure hydro-jetting offers a longer-lasting solution. If the roots have caused structural damage, costs may include excavation or pipe replacement. Contact Triple J Services for a specific quote based on your Lackawaxen property.
7. Does homeowners insurance cover tree root damage to sewer lines?
Standard homeowners insurance policies typically do not cover damage caused by tree roots, as it is considered a maintenance issue. However, many insurance companies offer “Service Line Coverage” as an inexpensive add-on that can help pay for the repair or replacement of damaged sewer and water lines.
8. What is a “Turkey Mound” and can roots damage it?
A “Turkey Mound” (or elevated sand mound) is a type of septic leach field used in areas with poor soil or high water tables, common in Pennsylvania. Tree roots can infiltrate the distribution pipes within the mound, causing the system to fail and sewage to leak from the sides of the mound. Keeping the mound clear of woody vegetation is essential.
9. How often should I treat my pipes for roots?
If you have a history of root intrusion, a preventative foaming treatment should be applied every 6 to 12 months. This keeps the roots at bay and prevents them from reaching a size that requires expensive mechanical removal or excavation.
10. Can roots grow back after hydro-jetting?
Yes, roots are persistent and will eventually return because the moisture in the pipe continues to attract them. To prevent regrowth after hydro-jetting, it is critical to follow up with a chemical root inhibitor or to permanently seal the pipe using trenchless lining or replacement.
