How roots get into a sewer line
A sewer line carries warm, wet, nutrient-rich water. Where a joint has loosened or a pipe has cracked, a little vapor and moisture escape, and tree roots grow toward it. Fine roots slip in through the gap, then thicken inside the pipe into a mass that catches paper and waste.
Some Tempe neighborhoods have extra reasons to watch for this. Older areas like Maple-Ash and Broadmor still use flood irrigation, which is why they are known for big shade trees. Mature trees mean mature root systems, and older homes often have older pipe with more joints.
Signs roots are the problem
- The main line clogs again every year or two
- Clogs clear with a cable, then come back
- Large trees or shrubs near the sewer path
- Slow drains that get worse over months
How roots are removed
Contractors use a cable machine with a cutting head or a jetter with a root-cutting nozzle to shear roots off at the pipe wall. The cut material is then flushed out. A camera inspection afterward shows where the roots entered, which is the important part: cutting clears the pipe, but the entry point is still there.
Stopping the cycle
- Scheduled maintenance. Some owners have the line cleared on a regular schedule before roots can close it off.
- Lining. A cured-in-place liner seals joints and cracks from the inside, which takes away the entry points.
- Spot repair. If one joint is the problem, replacing that section may be enough.
- Planting choices. Keep new trees away from the sewer path. A camera with a locator can mark where the line runs.
Serving all of Tempe
Tree Root Removal is available to homes and businesses across Tempe, including North Tempe (85281), Central Tempe (85282), South Central Tempe (85283), South Tempe (85284).
Tree Root Removal FAQ
Will roots come back after they are cut?
Often, yes. Cutting clears the pipe but does not close the crack or joint the roots came through. Lining or repairing the entry point is what stops the cycle.
Can I use root killer?
Some products can slow root regrowth, but they do not remove an existing root mass or fix the opening. Talk to the contractor about what is safe for your pipe and landscaping.
How do I find where my sewer line runs?
A sewer camera with a locator transmitter can trace the line from above ground and mark its path and depth.
Are roots covered by the city?
In Tempe, the line from your house to the city sewer main is the homeowner's responsibility, including root problems in that line.