Tree Root Removal from Sewer Pipes in Toronto

Signs roots are in your sewer line

Root intrusion rarely causes a sudden failure. Instead, the basement floor drain backs up after laundry day, toilets flush sluggishly in late summer, and the problem eases for a few months before returning. That seasonal rhythm is typical, because roots grow hardest when the soil dries and they go hunting for moisture.

• Recurring slow drains on the lowest floor of the house
• A floor drain that gurgles or burps when upstairs fixtures run
• Damp, unusually lush grass along the path of the lateral
• Previous snaking that brought back stringy, fibrous material

What causes it in older Toronto homes

Many houses built before the 1960s drain to the street through vitrified clay tile set in short mortared lengths or simple bell joints. Over decades those joints shift, crack or lose their seal. Silver maples, Norway maples and willows planted along boulevards and in back yards send fine feeder roots straight into the gaps, where warm, nutrient-rich water lets them swell into dense mats.

What we do on site, in order

1. We locate a cleanout or pull the toilet to gain access to the main line.
2. A sectional machine with a root-cutting head opens the pipe back to full diameter.
3. For heavy or packed root masses we may follow up with hydro jetting to scour the walls.
4. We then run a drain camera to find each entry point and judge the pipe's condition.
5. You get the footage and a plain explanation of where the roots came in and what that means.

What affects the price

The quote we give before starting depends on access (a proper exterior cleanout versus pulling a toilet), the length of the run to the property line, the density of the root mass and whether jetting or a camera survey is needed. Where the camera shows structural damage we will price trenchless lining or sewer line replacement as separate options for you to weigh.

When to call right away

Call immediately if sewage is coming up through the basement floor drain or a lower toilet, since every flush upstairs adds to the mess. Stop running water in the house until the line is open. If the backup coincides with heavy rain, the cause may be the city side rather than roots, and our guide to sewer backup versus groundwater can help you tell the difference.

Keeping roots out afterwards

Once the line is clear, a few habits slow the return of roots. Avoid planting thirsty species like willows or poplars near the lateral's path, and keep a note of the date roots were last cut so you can book a check before the next growing season. If you are planning landscaping or a new driveway, that is the cheapest moment to replace a failing clay section, because the ground is already being dug.

The job, in four moves

1. 1
   Pull the trap or cleanout

   Bucket under it, cap or trap off, standing water bailed first.

2. 2
   Run the right cable

   Small drum for sinks and tubs, sectional machine for the stack and lateral.

3. 3
   Camera the line

   Push camera fed in after the cable to read joints, roots and belly.

4. 4
   Flush and show you

   Hot water run at full flow, footage played back, trap reset with new washers.

Common questions