Sewer Camera Inspection
Send a camera down the line before a repair, a purchase or a decision about a tree.
Homeowner tips
Tree Roots in a Sewer Line: Signs and Fixes in Westminster
Roots follow moisture. A sewer lateral leaks tiny amounts of water and nutrients, so roots find any joint or crack and grow inside, where they catch paper and grease.
By the Westminster Plumbing Co. team ·
Warning signs
Slow drains that clear and return, gurgling toilets, a sewer smell in the yard and a lawn that is greener over the line are the common clues. A backup that starts in the lowest fixture, often a basement floor drain, is the classic sign.
These signs also fit other problems, such as a sagging pipe or a grease blockage. A camera inspection tells you which.
How roots get in
Clay pipe and older cast iron have joints every few feet. The joints loosen with age and soil movement. Roots enter through hairline gaps, then thicken and widen them.
PVC joints are tighter, but they are not immune. Poorly sealed or shifted joints can still admit roots.
Clearing and cutting
A cutting head on a cable shears roots inside the pipe. Hydro jetting also scours them out. Both give relief, and roots usually regrow if the joint is still open.
A chemical foam root killer is sold for the purpose. Ask a contractor whether it suits your pipe and your trees, since it can harm plants.
Lasting repairs
Lining seals the inside of the pipe and closes joints, which stops roots from entering. It suits pipes that are still round and aligned. A short spot repair replaces a damaged section.
If the pipe is badly broken or offset, replacement is the answer. A new PVC lateral resists roots better than clay.
Options for roots in a sewer lateral
Each approach fits a different condition of pipe.
| Option | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Cable with a cutting head | A fresh root clog in sound pipe | Roots return if the joint stays open |
| Hydro jetting | Fine roots and heavy buildup | Not for badly cracked pipe |
| Lining | Cracks and open joints in round pipe | Cannot fix a collapsed pipe |
| Replacement | Broken, offset or collapsed pipe | More digging and cost |
Prevention and city guidance
Westminster's utility asks homeowners not to plant trees or shrubs near the lateral, and to have the lateral inspected and cleaned regularly by a professional plumber.
If you already have a mature tree over the line, a camera pass every few years catches growth early. Avoid planting thirsty species near the pipe.
Who is responsible
According to the city, the lateral from the house out to the main is the owner's to maintain. The city owns the main under the street. A manhole in the neighborhood usually means the main is nearby.
If the blockage is in the lateral, you hire a plumber. If it is in the main, call the city's wastewater collections line.
Which trees cause trouble
Roots from willows, maples, cottonwoods and poplars are known for seeking out moisture, but nearly any large tree planted close to a lateral can cause problems. Distance matters more than species, and roots can travel well beyond the edge of the canopy.
Older clay and cast iron laterals are the easiest targets because their joints open slightly with age. Newer plastic pipe has tighter joints and resists intrusion far better, though a poor installation can still leave gaps that roots find.
Planning a repair around the yard
Before any digging, ask the contractor to run a camera and mark the problem on the surface. Knowing the depth and exact spot keeps the excavation small and protects the landscaping you want to save.
Check whether a permit is required and who pulls it. Underground sewer work in Westminster typically needs one, and the inspection protects you if the repair ever has to be documented for a sale or an insurance claim.
Costs, timing and what to ask
Cable cutting is the fastest and least costly option and often finishes in an hour or two. Jetting takes a little longer and removes more buildup. Lining and replacement require preparation, permits and often a full day or more.
Ask what the quote includes: the camera before and after, a written report, the permit and restoration of any dug areas. A good contractor can show the footage and explain why each step is necessary.
If roots return within a year, ask whether the pipe has a defect that clearing cannot fix. Repeated cutting is a stopgap, and a repair may save money over the next several years.
Roots and homeowner insurance
Policies differ on sewer line damage. Some cover a collapse caused by roots, while others exclude it unless you add an endorsement. Read the policy before you need it and ask the insurer what is covered.
Keep photos and camera footage from every inspection. A record of the pipe's condition helps if you file a claim, and it also helps a buyer or an inspector understand what was found and fixed.
Slowing roots without poisons
Chemical root killers poured into a toilet reach only part of the line and can harm the environment. A better approach is to schedule regular cleaning and a camera check, and to keep new trees well away from the lateral.
When planting, ask a nursery about root habits and mature size. A tree planted far from the sewer line costs nothing to maintain, while a poorly placed one can force a dig years later.
If a mature tree must stay, a liner or a replacement section of pipe can protect the line from further intrusion. A contractor can recommend the right option after seeing the footage.
Common questions
Answers about tree root
They can widen cracks and joints and clog the pipe. In older pipe they can contribute to breaks.
It depends on the line. Some owners clear every year or two, others only when a problem returns. A camera pass shows the rate of regrowth.
For a pipe that is still intact, lining avoids digging. A collapsed or sagging pipe needs replacement.
Not always. A repair or lining may solve the problem. Ask the contractor and an arborist before removing a mature tree.
Related services
Hydro Jetting
Blast grease, scale and roots off the pipe wall when a cable only punches a hole through the clog.
Sewer Line Repair
Mend a cracked, root-choked or bellied lateral, either as a spot fix or a longer section.
Keep reading
Sewer smell in the house: causes and fixes
A sewer smell can come from a dry trap, a cracked pipe or a blocked vent. Here is how to narrow it down and when it needs a plumber.
Basement floor drain backing up
A floor drain that bubbles or fills is usually the first sign of a blocked main line. Here is what to do and how to tell groundwater from sewage.
Toilet won't flush: what to check
A toilet that will not flush has a short list of causes. Check the tank, the clog and the bigger line before you call.
Drains slow again?
Call and describe the pattern. The dispatcher then matches you with a nearby contractor.