Which Trees Cause Sewer Root Problems?

Sewer laterals are warm, moist and full of nutrients. A tiny leak at a joint releases water vapor into the soil, and roots grow toward it. In a dry climate like Southern California's, a sewer line can be the most reliable water source in the yard.

Willows, poplars and cottonwoods are known for aggressive roots that seek water. Many fig trees, including ficus, spread wide and shallow. Silver maples and some eucalyptus are also common culprits. Planting any of these near a lateral invites trouble.

Mature pines, sycamores, ficus, jacarandas and liquidambar line many streets and yards. Large trees of any kind near the lateral route deserve a camera check on the line every few years.

Roots can spread well beyond the tree's canopy, sometimes two or three times its width. A tree in the front yard can reach a lateral under the sidewalk.

Smaller, slow-growing trees and shrubs with less aggressive roots are better choices near the line. A nursery can suggest species suited to Brea's climate that stay compact.

Before planting, find out where the lateral runs. A provider can trace it with a camera and locator and mark it on the ground. Keep large trees well to one side.

If you love an existing tree, you rarely need to remove it. Sealing the joints it is entering, by lining or repair, protects both the tree and the pipe.

Glued plastic joints resist roots far better than clay, but roots can still enter a crack. Trees planted right over a plastic lateral can also press on it as their roots thicken.

Physical root barriers installed when planting can steer roots away from a line. They are most effective with new plantings and need to be deep enough for the species.

If roots are already in the line, cutting before the spring growing season keeps it clear. See tree root removal for the options.

In dry years, roots search harder for water, and sewer lines become even more attractive. Drought seasons often lead to more root calls the following year.

Drip lines and sprinklers keep soil moist near the surface, which can help keep roots shallow and away from deeper laterals. Deep, infrequent watering can draw them down.

If a city street tree sits over your lateral, the pipe is still yours to fix. Questions about the tree itself go to the city.

Sometimes a tree planted right on top of a lateral is causing repeated damage. Before removing it, compare the cost of lining the pipe, which may let you keep the tree.

Palms have fibrous root balls that tend to stay closer to the trunk than many broadleaf trees. They are less likely to travel long distances to a sewer line, though a palm planted right over a lateral can still cause trouble.

Citrus and other fruit trees common in Southern California yards have moderate root systems. Planted a reasonable distance from the lateral, they rarely cause problems.

Your local nursery or an arborist can recommend trees that suit Brea's climate and stay away from pipes. A few minutes of planning saves years of root cutting.

If roots are already in your line, a provider can cut them and show you the joints on camera. Calls to (657) 354-1820 are answered 24 hours a day by independent local providers, who explain the likely cause and how the price is set before any work starts. You decide whether to go ahead, and there is no obligation to book.

Trees and sewer lines can coexist. Choose species wisely, plant at a distance and seal the joints roots have found.

Roots on a plumber's cable, clogs that return every year, and gurgling toilets in a home with big trees nearby are the usual clues. A camera inspection confirms it and shows which joints are affected.

If a valuable tree sits near the lateral, an arborist can advise on root pruning or barriers that protect the tree's health while keeping roots away from the pipe.

Choose trees carefully, plant them away from the lateral and keep an eye on lines near big trees. Roots are easier to prevent than to remove.

Questions about which trees cause sewer root problems? Call (657) 354-1820 to reach a local Brea provider.