What tree root removal in drains involves
Root removal is done with a sectional cable and a toothed cutting blade sized close to the inside of the pipe. The blade shaves root mass from the walls at each joint. On heavy growth we follow with a high-pressure jetter fitted with a root-cutting nozzle, which leaves a cleaner wall. A camera pass afterwards shows how many joints are affected and whether the pipe itself is still round.
- Clear enough to restore flow.
- Cut the remaining mass back to the pipe wall.
- Inspect with a camera and record the joint distances.
- Decide together: scheduled maintenance, a spot repair or relining, or full replacement.
Why North York houses need it
Streets like those in Hogg's Hollow, Armour Heights and Bayview Village are known for their big trees. Silver maples, willows and poplars are the worst offenders, but almost any mature tree will exploit a clay tile joint. Older laterals were laid in two- to three-foot pieces, which means a joint every couple of feet and plenty of entry points.
Plumber's tip: Roots grow back. Cutting buys time, often a year or two. If the camera shows roots at many joints, budget for a lasting fix rather than paying for clearing on a schedule forever.
How we write up the job
We note the depth of each root mass in feet from the cleanout, the pipe material at that spot, and whether the joint looks displaced. If the roots appear to come from a city tree on the boulevard, we say so; the City has its own process for those, and it is worth calling 311 before you pay for a dig.
Signs you should call
- The floor drain backs up in late summer or fall, when roots are most active.
- Toilets gurgle and drain slowly together.
- A previous plumber pulled roots out and the problem came back.
- Unusually lush grass along the line of the sewer in the front yard.
A blocked sewer means water has nowhere to go, so if you rely on a sump, a battery backup is worth thinking about in the same visit.
Costs and what affects them
Expect the price to depend on how far the roots are from the cleanout, how dense they are, and whether a camera inspection is added. Repairs are priced separately once we know what the pipe looks like. We will not sell you a replacement the camera does not support.
Job at a glance
| Category | Sewer |
|---|---|
| Tools | Sectional machine, root saw blades, camera |
| Final test | Clear camera view past every joint that had roots |
Tell-tale signs
- Slow main drain every late summer
- Hair-fine roots in the cleanout cap
- Large maple or willow between house and street
Steps on the job
- Choose a cutter blade a touch smaller than the pipe bore
- Retrieve root mass to judge how much has entered
- Camera the joints where roots are getting in
- Plan repeat clearing or a section repair from what the camera shows
Your questions on this one
Do root-killing products work?
Some foaming products slow regrowth for a while. They do not open a blocked line or repair a cracked joint.
Should I cut down the tree?
Usually not necessary. Fixing the pipe joint is the real solution, and city trees cannot be removed without a permit anyway.