Tree Roots
Tree Roots | Drain Opening | Plumbing | Cleveland
When Cleveland’s mighty maples and oaks send their tentacles into your sewer line, slow sinks and bubbling toilets are just the beginning. HEP’s tree-roots specialists combine pinpoint camera inspections with powerful hydro-jetting and mechanical cutters to perform fast, affordable drain opening that clears every last tendril without tearing up your yard. From the first gurgle to a full backup, our local crew arrives equipped to rescue your pipes the same day, restoring smooth flow before roots can stage a comeback.
Homeowners and property managers across Greater Cleveland trust HEP because we’re neighbors, not a national call center. You’ll get transparent pricing, courteous techs who respect your home, and a workmanship guarantee that keeps you worry-free long after the roots are gone. Day or night, one call puts the city’s most responsive plumbing team on your doorstep—ready to tame those underground invaders and keep your drains running clear.
FAQs
What are the most common signs that tree roots are blocking my sewer or drain line in the Cleveland area?
Typical warning signs include gurgling sounds from toilets, slow-draining tubs or floor drains, water backing up in the basement after doing laundry, and foul odors coming from floor drains or the yard. In Northeast Ohio, seasonal freeze-thaw cycles can cause small foundation or pipe cracks that make these symptoms appear suddenly after heavy spring rains.
How do you remove tree roots from my underground plumbing?
For most residential jobs we start with a video camera inspection to locate the root mass and assess pipe condition. We then insert a sewer machine with a rotating cutting head that shreds and pulls out the roots. If the pipe is fragile or severely damaged, we switch to hydro-jetting, which uses a high-pressure water jet to scour the roots without harming the pipe walls. After clearing, we run the camera again to verify the line is fully open.
Will root removal harm my trees or landscaping?
No. The cutting and hydro-jetting equipment works only inside the pipe, so surrounding soil and major structural roots are untouched. We remove the fine feeder roots that infiltrate the pipe in search of water and nutrients. Your tree may lose a tiny percentage of its root mass, but this is not enough to destabilize or kill it.
How much does professional root removal cost in Cleveland?
Prices vary with pipe length, depth, and severity of root intrusion, but most single-family jobs fall between $275 and $550. This includes camera inspection, mechanical cutting or hydro-jetting, full cleanup, and a follow-up video for your records. If pipe repair or trenchless lining is required, we provide an upfront, fixed quote before any extra work begins.
Can I prevent tree roots from growing back into the drain line?
Yes. After clearing, we recommend annual or biennial camera inspections, using a foaming root inhibitor once a year, and scheduling a preventative hydro-jetting every 18–24 months. If your line has multiple joints or cracks, installing a trenchless PVC liner creates a seamless barrier that roots cannot penetrate, giving you up to a 50-year warranty.
Do I need a permit for root removal or drain opening work in Cleveland?
For routine cleaning or hydro-jetting inside an existing pipe, no city permit is required. If we must excavate in the tree lawn (the strip between sidewalk and curb) or replace a sewer lateral in public right-of-way, we handle the permit process with the City of Cleveland Water Pollution Control and Streets departments on your behalf.