Root Intrusions
Root Intrusions | Main Line Issues | Plumbing | Jellico
When stubborn roots invade your sewer or water line, every flush or shower in your Jellico home can turn into a gamble. HEP’s seasoned plumbing team uses state-of-the-art camera inspections and hydro-jetting to pinpoint and clear blockages without guesswork, saving your yard from unnecessary digging and your wallet from surprise costs. From the first gurgle in a drain to full-blown main line issues, we respond quickly, explain every step, and back our work with rock-solid guarantees.
Whether you need emergency relief tonight or preventive maintenance for the seasons ahead, our licensed technicians arrive with fully stocked trucks and decades of East Tennessee know-how. We treat your property like our own, restoring free-flowing pipes so you can get back to hot showers, clean dishes, and peace of mind. Reach out to HEP—Help Is On The Way!
FAQs
What are root intrusions in a main sewer line?
Root intrusions occur when tree or shrub roots grow through tiny cracks, loose joints, or separated sections of your underground sewer lateral. The roots gravitate toward moisture and nutrients inside the pipe, eventually filling the line, snagging waste, and causing slow drains or backups. Jellico’s mix of older clay and cast-iron laterals makes the area especially prone to this problem.
What warning signs indicate I may have root intrusions in my Jellico home?
Common red flags include gurgling toilets, frequent basement or yard backups, multiple fixtures draining slowly at the same time, and patches of unusually lush grass above the sewer route. Because Jellico has a high water table and mature shade trees, these symptoms often appear after heavy rain when groundwater pushes roots deeper into pipe joints.
How do plumbers confirm whether roots are in my main line?
Our technicians perform a video camera inspection by inserting a waterproof camera through a clean-out or pulled toilet. The live feed shows the exact location, severity, and type of root mass inside the pipe. We also use electronic locators above ground to map the depth and position, which helps estimate repair costs and prevents unnecessary digging.
What methods do you use to remove roots and restore flow?
For light to moderate growth, we start with mechanical cutting using a high-speed rooter blade that slices and pulls roots back toward the entry point. Severe blockages may require hydro-jetting—water streams up to 4,000 psi that scour the pipe walls clean. If the line is structurally compromised, we can install a trenchless cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) liner or, for collapsed sections, replace them with new PVC via spot repair or full excavation.
Can root intrusions be prevented after the line is cleared?
Yes. We recommend annual or semi-annual jetting in high-risk yards, applying root-inhibiting foams that coat the pipe interior, and replacing sections of aging clay or Orangeburg pipe with seamless PVC. Planting new trees at least 10–15 ft away from the sewer route and choosing slow-growing, deep-rooted species also minimizes future entry points.
How quickly should I address root intrusion issues and what can happen if I wait?
Treat roots as soon as you see symptoms. Left unchecked, roots expand until they completely block the pipe, causing raw sewage to back up into tubs, toilets, and basements. Long-term pressure can crack or collapse the line, turning a routine cleaning into a costly dig-and-replace project. Fast action protects your property, prevents health hazards, and avoids emergency weekend rates.