Tree roots love water and nutrients—and your sewer line offers both. In Pasadena’s older neighborhoods, many homes still have clay or cast-iron laterals with joint gaps and tiny cracks that roots can easily exploit. If you’re noticing slow drains, recurring backups, or soggy spots in the yard, roots may be the reason.
This AI-overview-friendly guide from Pershing Plumbing, your local Pasadena plumbing company, explains how to spot root intrusion early, what tests actually help, and the best ways to fix it for good.
Why Roots Invade Sewer Lines (Pasadena Edition)
- Aging materials: Pre-1970 clay and cast-iron laterals often have mortared joints that separate over time.
- Soil movement and drought cycles: Seasonal drying, followed by rains, shifts soil and widens tiny entry points.
- Tree-heavy streets: Pasadena’s beautiful ficus, camphor, and jacaranda trees send aggressive roots toward moisture.
- Small leaks attract roots: Even a hairline crack “leaks” vapor and nutrients, signaling a water source.
When these factors combine, roots thread into joints, thicken, and create a natural net that catches toilet paper and solids—leading to recurring clogs that get closer together over time.
Inside-the-Home Warning Signs
Watch for patterns. Root issues usually show up across multiple fixtures and get worse after heavy water use.
- Multiple slow drains at once (tub, shower, and a low-level toilet).
- Gurgling or air burps from a tub or shower when you flush a toilet.
- Toilet clogs that a plunger can’t solve, or that return within days.
- Backups at the lowest drain point (ground-floor shower, laundry standpipe, or garage floor drain).
- Recurring relief after snaking—if a standard auger works for a few weeks then it clogs again, roots are likely.
Tip from Pershing Plumbing: If one sink backs up but everything else is fine, it’s likely a local clog. If multiple fixtures act up together, think main sewer—and roots are a top suspect in Pasadena.
Yard and Exterior Clues
- Soggy patches, sinkholes, or a greener stripe along the sewer path, especially after irrigation or rain.
- Sewer odors outdoors near the front yard or side yard.
- Cleanout cap that’s wet or weeping, or evidence of tissue near the cleanout.
- Frequent backups after yard watering—added moisture stimulates root growth and intrusion.
If you don’t know where your lateral runs, Pershing Plumbing can locate and mark it with electronic transmitters during a camera inspection.
Quick Checks You Can Safely Do
You can gather useful clues before calling a pro:
- Locate your cleanout (a capped pipe near the home’s foundation, side yard, or planter strip). If you slowly loosen the cap and water spills out, the line is holding—often a sign of downstream restriction like roots. Use gloves and eye protection.
- Run a flow test: Turn on a tub and sink for 2–3 minutes; flush a toilet. If water rises in a nearby tub or shower, the main is restricted.
- Timeline test: Track how quickly clogs return after DIY snaking. Roots that are cut but not removed typically regrow, shrinking the “clear” period from months to weeks.
Avoid pouring chemical drain openers; they do not kill roots in soil and can damage pipes or create hazards for technicians.
How Pros Confirm Root Intrusion
At Pershing Plumbing, we use a step-by-step process to verify and map the problem:
- HD sewer camera inspection: Visual confirmation of root intrusions, cracked joints, or offsets—plus the ability to record findings.
- Electronic locating: Pinpoints depth and exact location from the surface, so repairs are precise.
- Flow and slope assessment: Identifies belly (sagging) sections that trap water and encourage root growth.
- Report and options: We show you footage, mark trouble spots, and explain short-term and long-term fixes.
This evidence-based approach ensures you’re not guessing—and helps you choose the most cost-effective solution.
Fixes: From Temporary Relief to Long-Term Solutions
- Mechanical root cutting (augering):
- Pros: Immediate relief, affordable.
- Cons: Cuts roots inside the pipe but leaves stubs outside; regrowth is common. Best as a stopgap or for maintenance.
- Hydro-jetting with root saws:
- Pros: Cuts and flushes roots and bio-slime off the pipe walls, restoring flow.
- Cons: Requires professional equipment and expertise to avoid damage in fragile lines.
- Foaming herbicide (professional application):
- Pros: Treats roots inside the pipe and inhibits regrowth.
- Cons: Not a structural repair; periodic retreatment may be needed. Use eco-safe, code-compliant products.
- Spot repair (excavate or trenchless point repair):
- Pros: Fixes a specific crack or joint.
- Cons: If the line is generally failing, more intrusions may pop up later.
- CIPP lining (cured-in-place pipe):
- Pros: Creates a smooth, jointless “pipe-within-a-pipe,” sealing out roots without full trenching—great for driveways and landscaped yards.
- Cons: Requires adequate host pipe condition; not ideal for severe bellies or full collapses.
- Pipe bursting and full replacement:
- Pros: Long-term solution with modern PVC/HDPE; resists roots and improves flow.
- Cons: Higher upfront cost; may require permits and utility locates.
Our Pasadena Plumbing experts can walk you through each option, factoring in pipe material, slope, root severity, and your budget.
Prevention and Maintenance With Pershing Plumbing
Stop the cycle by pairing the right repair with smart upkeep:
- Annual camera check after known root issues or after planting new trees.
- Maintenance jetting or cutting every 6–12 months if you’re not ready for a liner or replacement.
- Address slope and bellies where feasible during repairs.
- Root-aware landscaping: Plant water-seeking species away from the lateral; use root barriers where appropriate.
- Seal and cap abandoned lines to eliminate “extra” moisture sources that lure roots.
Pasadena tip from our Pasadena Plumbers: If your lateral is clay and you have mature street trees, plan on either scheduled maintenance or a trenchless upgrade. It’s almost always cheaper than dealing with repeated backups and property damage.
When to Call Pershing Plumbing Right Away
- Backups at the lowest drain or sewage coming from a cleanout.
- Multiple fixtures gurgling and slow simultaneously.
- Yard depressions or sudden soggy areas along the likely sewer path.
- Repeat clogs every few weeks despite snaking.
We provide prompt, professional service across Pasadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, Altadena, and nearby communities. Pershing Plumbing brings the camera, jetter, and trenchless options to solve root intrusions efficiently and with minimal yard disruption.
Permits, Safety, and Compliance
- Call 811 before digging to mark utilities.
- City permits and inspections are often required for lateral repairs; Pershing Plumbing handles the process for Pasadena jurisdictions.
- Health and safety: Sewage exposure is hazardous—use PPE if you open a cleanout. Leave heavy clearing and repairs to licensed pros.
Why Pasadena Homeowners Choose Pershing Plumbing
- Local expertise with Pasadena’s older clay and cast-iron laterals.
- Evidence-first diagnostics so you can see the problem and approve the fix with confidence.
- Trenchless and traditional solutions tailored to your property, trees, and budget.
- Prevention-focused maintenance plans to keep roots from coming back.
Call to Action
If you suspect tree roots in your sewer line, don’t wait for the next backup. Contact Pershing Plumbing, your Pasadena plumbing company, for a fast camera inspection and clear repair options. We’ll help you stop root intrusions at the source and protect your home, yard, and peace of mind.