Sewer Camera Inspection
Look inside the sewer pipe on video before a repair or a home purchase.
Plumbing guide
Tree Roots in a Sewer Line in Goodyear, AZ: Signs and Fixes
Roots are drawn to the moisture and nutrients inside a sewer pipe, and they enter through any gap. Once inside they catch paper and grease and form a clog.
By the Goodyear Express Plumbing team ·
How roots get in
Roots do not break solid pipe on their own. They follow moisture to a joint, a hairline crack or a poor connection and then thicken inside. Over months they form a net that traps waste. Older clay and cast iron lines with many joints are the most exposed.
Desert landscaping adds another twist. Trees and shrubs watered near the line send roots toward that moisture, and a drought can drive them deeper in search of it.
Warning signs
Slow drains in several fixtures, gurgling toilets, bubbling in a tub when the washer drains and repeated clogs in the main line are classic signs. A sewer smell outside, soggy spots in the yard and unusually green grass over the line also point to a problem.
If clogs return every few months after a cable is run, roots are a likely cause.
Confirm it with a camera
A camera on a flexible cable shows root masses, the pipe material, sags and breaks. It also tells you where the problem sits, measured from the cleanout. Our guide to sewer camera inspection explains the process and why the footage matters.
Without it, a repair is a guess. With it you can decide between cutting, lining or replacing.
Comparing root fixes
The right option depends on what the camera shows.
| Approach | Effect | Drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Cable cutter | Opens the pipe | Roots return |
| Hydro jetting | Scrubs walls and trims roots | Needs an intact pipe |
| Spot repair | Fixes one break | Other defects remain |
| Lining or new pipe | Creates a fresh path | Costs more, takes longer |
Cutting and jetting
A cutting head on a cable or a hydro jetting nozzle can clear roots and restore flow quickly. That is a maintenance step, not a cure. Roots regrow, often within a year or two, if the opening remains.
Ask how often a line like yours should be cleared and whether a schedule makes sense.
Repair and replacement
If the camera shows a defect where roots enter, repairing or replacing that section stops them for good. Options include digging down to fix a short run or pulling a new pipe through the old path. See sewer line repair and sewer line replacement.
A line that is badly cracked or sagging along most of its length is usually better replaced than patched.
Landscaping that helps
Plant trees well away from the line, and pick species that do not seek water aggressively. Know where your line runs before planting. Arizona 811, called before digging, marks public utilities but not your private sewer, so a camera or locator is useful.
Do not put chemical root killers down the drain without asking a plumber. Some harm pipes and the environment.
Who pays and who handles it
The private lateral from the house to the connection at the main is normally the owner's responsibility. Roots inside the city main are the utility's. If you are unsure which part is failing, the camera and your provider can tell. Ask your insurer too, since coverage varies.
What a maintenance plan looks like
If roots keep returning and the pipe is otherwise sound, a schedule can be more practical than digging. Many owners clear the line on a regular interval, then check it with a camera to see how fast regrowth is happening. Ask the plumber to write down the dates and the footage.
A maintenance plan is a cost over time. Compare it with the cost of a one time repair when you decide.
Lining versus replacing
A liner is a resin coated sleeve pulled through the old pipe and cured in place, forming a new pipe within the old one. It seals joints and cracks where roots enter and avoids trenching. It works when the pipe is not collapsed and the grade is correct.
Replacement is better for pipes that are severely sagging or collapsed. Camera footage decides which path is workable.
Signs the problem is getting worse
Backups that arrive more often, a slower flush in the lowest fixtures in the house, wet spots in the yard and sewer smells outside are all signs the blockage is tightening. Do not wait for sewage to come up in a tub or a floor drain.
Know where your cleanout is. A plumber can reach the line from there without opening the floor.
Before you hire anyone
Ask for the camera video, a written scope and how the repair will be tested. Ask who handles permits and yard restoration, and whether any work happens on the city side. Compare the options in writing before agreeing.
See drain cleaning for how a standard clearing works.
Locating the line in your yard
A plumber can use a locator that tracks a small transmitter pushed down the line to mark its path and depth on the surface. Mark the route with paint or flags before any digging or planting. It also helps when you plan landscaping, fences, pools and patios.
Call Arizona 811 before any digging so public utilities are marked.
Questions about insurance and records
Some home insurance policies and service plans cover sewer lines, many do not. Read yours and ask the agent about root damage and backups. Keep the camera video, receipts and the plumber's notes.
When selling a home, the buyer's inspector may camera the line. Knowing its condition and having records helps the sale.
Questions to ask about timing
Ask how soon the work can start, whether the line will be out of service and for how long, and what temporary steps keep the household running. Large repairs may need several days. Plan for laundry, showers and cooking during that time, and decide who will let crews into the yard.
Common questions
Tree root questions
They can widen cracks and cause blockages. Early action keeps repairs small.
It depends on the pipe and trees. A camera after the first cleaning shows how fast regrowth is likely.
Some products are not. Ask a plumber before pouring anything down the drain.
Removing a tree helps long term but roots left in the pipe still need clearing.
Related services
Hydro Jetting
Wash grease, scale and roots from pipe walls with high pressure water where a cable falls short.
Sewer Line Replacement
Lay a new lateral from the house to the sewer connection when patching will not last.
More plumbing guides
Sewer smell in the house
Sewage or rotten egg odors indoors come from a short list of sources. Begin with traps and vents.
Toilet won't flush
A weak flush, no flush or a rising bowl: sort the easy fixes from the bigger problems.
Drain flies: where they come from
Small moth-like flies near a sink usually come out of that drain. Find the source and scrub it out.
Drains backing up again and again?
Call and describe the pattern. The dispatcher will find a contractor nearby.