That’s Not a Pile of Yard Waste

Take another look at the photo. All those tangled roots scattered across the walkway came out during a sewer cleaning job.

It’s surprising how much root growth can end up inside an underground drain pipe.

Most homeowners never think about tree roots when their bathroom sink drains slowly or their toilet starts backing up. But roots are a common cause of recurring sewer problems, especially around older properties with mature trees.

At Pacific Plumbing Team, we help homeowners across West Los Angeles find and clear stubborn sewer blockages, including those caused by root intrusion.

How Do Tree Roots Get Inside Sewer Pipes?

Tree roots naturally grow toward sources of moisture. Underground sewer pipes can attract them, especially when a pipe has a small crack, damaged joint, or another opening.

Once a root finds its way inside, it can continue growing. Over time, the roots form a tangled mass that catches toilet paper, grease, and other debris traveling through the sewer line.

Eventually, wastewater has less room to pass through.

What starts as an occasional slow drain can turn into a recurring blockage or a complete sewer backup.

Why Does My Sewer Keep Clogging?

If you’ve had your sewer cleaned more than once and the problem keeps returning, there’s probably a reason.

Sometimes the issue isn’t just accumulated waste. It could be roots growing through a damaged section of pipe.

Common warning signs include:

  • Multiple drains running slowly at the same time

  • Toilets frequently clogging or backing up

  • Gurgling sounds coming from drains

  • Wastewater backing up into showers or tubs

  • Sewer clogs that return shortly after cleaning

These symptoms don’t automatically mean you have tree roots, but they are good reasons to have your sewer line inspected.

Removing Tree Roots From a Sewer Line

For this project, our team used professional drain cleaning equipment to remove a substantial amount of root growth from the sewer pipe.

As the photo shows, roots can form long, dense tangles inside underground plumbing.

Mechanical sewer cleaning can remove roots and restore an opening for wastewater to flow. However, removing the roots doesn’t necessarily repair the opening that allowed them into the pipe.

That’s an important distinction.

If roots entered through a cracked pipe or deteriorated joint, they may eventually grow back.

When Is a Sewer Camera Inspection Necessary?

A sewer camera inspection helps determine what’s happening inside the pipe without immediately digging up the yard.

Using specialized inspection equipment, a plumber can examine the sewer line for root intrusion, cracks, offsets, damaged joints, and other conditions that may contribute to recurring blockages.

Depending on the condition of the pipe, the next step might be additional cleaning, a targeted sewer line repair, or replacement of a damaged section.

The goal is to understand the problem before recommending unnecessary work.

Sewer Cleaning and Root Removal in West Los Angeles

If your sewer keeps clogging, it’s worth finding out why instead of repeatedly dealing with the same backup.

Pacific Plumbing Team provides sewer drain cleaning, tree root removal, sewer camera inspections, and sewer line repair services.

We serve homeowners in West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Venice, Culver City, Marina del Rey, Beverly Hills, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and surrounding communities.

Dealing with recurring sewer backups? Contact Pacific Plumbing Team to schedule an inspection or professional drain cleaning.