A shade tree can add beauty and value to your property. Underground, though, its roots are constantly searching for water, and the pipe carrying wastewater from your house to the street is an attractive target. When roots find their way inside, the result can be a slow drain that turns into a sewage backup in your basement. Knowing how it happens, and who pays for what, can save you a lot of money and stress.
What You Need to Know
- Roots are drawn to moisture and warmth escaping from small cracks and loose joints in buried pipes.
- Older clay, concrete and cast-iron lines are especially vulnerable.
- Slow drains, gurgling toilets and soggy patches in the yard are early warning signs.
- In most areas, the homeowner is responsible for the sewer line on their own property, and standard home policies typically exclude it.
Why Roots Go Looking for Your Pipes
Tree roots grow toward water, oxygen and nutrients. A sewer lateral, the pipe that runs from your home to the municipal main, carries warm, nutrient-rich water every day. Even when the pipe looks sound, small gaps at joints or hairline cracks let vapor seep into the surrounding soil. Roots sense that moisture and follow it to the source.
Once a root tip slips through an opening, it has everything it needs to thrive. It branches into a dense, hairy mat that catches grease, wipes and paper, and the blockage grows from there. Root intrusion can happen any time of year, but it’s common during dry spells, during spring and fall growth spurts, and in cold weather when the relatively warm pipe stands out in frozen ground.
Roots Aren’t the Only Culprit
Sewer blockages also come from aging pipe materials, poor connections, ground shifting, and flushing things that shouldn’t go down a drain. Roots are simply among the most persistent causes, because they tend to come back.
How a Small Intrusion Becomes a Big Problem
As roots thicken, they pry cracks wider. Over time, that can lead to a pipe that sags, breaks or collapses. The damage tends to show up in two ways:
- Leaking out. Wastewater escapes into the soil around the pipe. You may notice an unusually green or soggy strip of lawn. Left alone, the escaping water can wash soil away and contribute to sinkholes or settling.
- Backing up. When water can’t get past the blockage, it comes back up through the lowest drains in the house, such as basement floor drains, tubs and toilets.
Sewage in a living space is more than a mess. It can carry bacteria, viruses and chemicals, and it soaks into drywall, flooring and furniture. Mold can follow quickly.
Warning Signs to Watch For
- Several drains running slowly at the same time
- Gurgling sounds from toilets or drains when water runs elsewhere
- Sewage odors inside or near the cleanout outside
- Water rising in a basement floor drain
- Soft, sunken or unusually lush spots in the yard along the sewer line path
If Sewage Starts Backing Up
- Stop using water. Don’t flush, run the dishwasher or do laundry. Every gallon adds to the backup. If needed, shut off the main water supply.
- Keep people and pets away. Treat any standing sewage as a health hazard.
- Call a licensed plumber. A camera inspection can show exactly where the roots are. Mechanical augers or high-pressure water jetting can clear the line. Store-bought drain cleaners won’t reach the problem.
- Bring in a restoration professional. Sewage cleanup requires proper protective equipment, disinfection and drying to prevent mold.
- Document everything and contact your agent. Photos, plumber reports and receipts will matter if you file a claim.
Clearing the line is often only step one. If the camera shows cracked or collapsed pipe, you may need a repair. Options range from trenchless lining or pipe bursting to digging up the yard, and costs vary widely.
Keeping Roots Out Long Term
Schedule camera inspections
If your home is newer with modern plastic pipe and you’ve never had a problem, an inspection every several years may be enough. If you have large trees nearby, older clay or cast-iron pipe, or a history of roots, plumbers commonly suggest yearly or every-other-year checks.
Consider root treatments
Foaming root-control products can slow regrowth after a line has been cleared. Follow the label closely and check local rules first, since some communities restrict what can go into the sewer.
Plant with your pipes in mind
Cutting down healthy trees rarely solves anything, since roots remain in the soil. When planting new trees, keep them well away from the sewer lateral, at least 10 to 15 feet is a common guideline, and choose species known for less aggressive roots.
Pro Tip
Find out exactly where your sewer lateral runs before you plant or dig. Your plumber can locate it during a camera inspection, and many local utilities can help as well.
Who Pays When the Line Fails?
Many homeowners assume the city handles sewer pipes. In most places, though, the property owner is responsible for the lateral from the house to the connection at the street or property line. That can include repairs to pipe running under your lawn, driveway or even the sidewalk.
Standard homeowners policies generally exclude damage to underground service lines caused by wear, roots or deterioration. Two optional coverages may help, depending on your insurer:
| Optional coverage | What it may help with |
|---|---|
| Service line coverage | Repair or replacement of damaged underground utility lines on your property, such as water, sewer or power lines, plus excavation. |
| Water or sewer backup coverage | Damage inside the home caused by water or sewage backing up through drains, up to a set limit. |
Neither is automatic, and terms differ. For example, some service line endorsements won’t pay to clear a blockage unless the pipe itself is physically damaged. Read the details or ask your agent to explain them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does homeowners insurance cover tree roots in a sewer line?
Usually not under a standard policy, because root intrusion is considered gradual damage. Optional service line or backup coverage may help with some related costs, depending on your insurer and policy.
Will chemical root killer fix a blocked line?
Not once the line is blocked. Root treatments are best used as maintenance after a plumber has mechanically cleared the pipe.
How do I know what pipe material I have?
A camera inspection will show it. Homes built several decades ago are more likely to have clay or cast-iron laterals.
Protect What’s Below the Surface
Wondering whether your policy includes service line or sewer backup protection? Reach out to Callicott Insurance Agency and we’ll help you review your options before a problem starts.
This article is for general information only. Coverage varies by insurer, policy and state; review your own policy or talk with a licensed agent about your situation.