Root Removal in Reading, PA
Tree roots enter sewer laterals through joints and cracks, especially in older clay and cast iron pipe. We cut the roots out and jet the line clear so it drains again. Roots grow back, and a camera inspection shows whether the pipe itself is damaged.
Roots Belong in the Yard, Not the Pipe
Roots seek two things, water and nutrients. A sewer line carries both, and it runs underground where roots naturally grow. On a newer PVC line with good joints, roots rarely get in. On an older clay or cast iron lateral, the joints shift over time, the material cracks, and tiny feeder roots find the openings. Once inside, the roots thrive in the warm, wet pipe and spread into a mass that catches debris and chokes the flow.
Cutting that mass out with a mechanical cutter reopens the line. Jetting flushes the debris and soft roots that remain. The line drains. But roots do not stop growing just because we cut them. If the pipe still has openings, the roots come back, which is why we follow up with a camera inspection to show you whether the lateral is intact or damaged.
Clues There Are Roots in Your Line
- Slow drains that keep returning after clearing
- Gurgling from fixtures, especially after rain
- A main line that backs up, clears, then backs up again
- An older clay or cast iron lateral on the property
- Large trees or shrubs growing over the sewer path
- Repeated clogs at the same point in the line
Why Roots Find a Way In
Older clay pipe was laid in sections with joints between them. Decades of settling, ground movement and freeze-thaw shift those joints and open gaps. Cast iron corrodes from the inside and develops cracks. Both materials give roots an entry point that modern PVC pipe rarely does. Add a mature tree or large shrub whose root system reaches the sewer path, and the roots follow the moisture right in.
How We Cut Roots Out
- 1
We clear the line
If the line is backed up, we cable or jet it first so we can reach the root mass and see the pipe.
- 2
We run the cutter
A mechanical cutter with a root-cutting head is fed to the mass, slicing through the roots to reopen the pipe.
- 3
We jet the debris
Hydro jetting flushes the cut roots and sludge down the line so the pipe runs clean.
- 4
We camera the lateral
We inspect the line to confirm it is open and to show you whether the pipe is cracked or has open joints that roots will re-enter.
On Homes
Most root jobs are residential laterals on older properties, where mature trees grow over the sewer path and clay or cast iron gives roots an opening.
On Commercial Property
Landscaped commercial sites with older mains can have the same problem. We clear the line and camera it to flag whether the lateral needs repair.
The Honest Part About Roots
Cutting roots restores flow, but it is not a permanent fix. Roots grow back through the same openings. If the pipe is cracked or the joints are open, the roots will return, and a repair may be the better long-term answer. We will always tell you when clearing is temporary and when the lateral needs more than cutting. A camera inspection is how we show you the difference.
Connected Services
Root Removal, Straight Talk
How do tree roots get into a sewer pipe?
Roots seek water and nutrients, and a sewer pipe carries both. On older clay and cast iron laterals, the joints and any cracks let tiny feeder roots in. Once inside, the roots thrive in the warm, moist, nutrient-rich environment and grow into a mass that chokes the line.
Do roots grow back after they're cut?
Yes, roots grow back. Cutting and jetting clears the line and restores flow, but if the pipe still has openings the roots will return. A camera inspection shows whether the pipe is damaged and helps you decide between ongoing maintenance and a repair.
Will jetting alone remove the roots?
Hydro jetting clears soft root masses and the sludge around them, but thick woody roots usually need a mechanical cutter. We often combine cutting with jetting, then camera to confirm the pipe is open.
How often should a root-clogged line be maintained?
It depends on how fast the roots return and whether the pipe is damaged. Some lines need annual cutting, others less often. We base it on what the camera shows and how quickly the backups return, and we will tell you honestly.
Is root removal a permanent fix?
No. Root removal clears the line and restores flow, but if the pipe has cracks or open joints the roots will grow back. If the damage is significant, a repair may be the better long-term answer, and we will say so when we see it.
Roots in the Line?
We cut them out and show you what's underneath. Call Drainmasters inc.
Call (610) 914-2564Areas we serve: Reading and Berks County. Outside our main area we serve the rest of Berks County with a trip charge.