Tree roots growing inside drain pipes
Invasive tree roots invading indoor toilet drain pipes and sewer lines can be discovered after pulling a toilet and finding small root bits with an auger. This damage leads to leaks and heavy plumbing repairs that force homeowners to determine whether the job requires professional intervention or can be completed independently.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- Most of it landed at once — the busiest month was September 2026, with 9 people.
- This comes up 12.4× more often in r/Plumbing than across the site as a whole.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Having gutters cleaned twice a year2 people mentionedDid this help you?
- 2running an augerDid this help you?
- 3running a camera to inspect the lineDid this help you?
- 4Sweat out the old copper DWV from the brass bushing and reinstall a new piece with a transition shielded bandDid this help you?
- 5Use a Fernco adapter from the hardware storeDid this help you?
- 6rebuilding the floor higherDid this help you?
- 7using a 4 to 3 inch flangeDid this help you?
- 8cutting the pipe flush with the floor using a sawzall or internal pipe cutterDid this help you?
- 9Taking time off work to fix the sewer line yourselfDid this help you?
- 10Using an unshielded coupling when shielded versions are unavailable locallyDid this help you?
- 11Explaining the negative science and structural damage of topping to the homeownerDid this help you?
- 12Removing the tree entirelyDid this help you?
- 13Relocating/moving the treeDid this help you?
- 14Inspecting the water line for preexisting corrosion or leaksDid this help you?
- 15performing a yearly cleaningDid this help you?
- 16using RidX treatment and copper sulfateDid this help you?
- 17installing a structural pipe linerDid this help you?
- 18replacing the damaged section of pipeDid this help you?
- 19Switching from underground downspouts to above-ground downspoutsDid this help you?
- 20Installing oversized downspouts with downspout cleanoutsDid this help you?
- 21Using a plumbing snake or electrical fishtapeDid this help you?
- 22Running a garden hose with a drain cleaning bladderDid this help you?
- 23Using a cheap USB scope camera to inspect for blockagesDid this help you?
- 24Removing the tree causing root intrusionDid this help you?
- 25Cracking open and replacing damaged section of pipeDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Ran an auger and pulled back small root bits. Found this after pulling the toilet.”source ↗
“Roots were growing in the pipe and had almost completely blocked it off.”source ↗
“The plumber wanted $xxxx to replace a 1-foot section of sewer line that was filled with roots. I took the day off work to fix it myself, spent about $xxx on materials, and added a two-way cleanout.”source ↗
“So I found a leak last night in my garage. The original copper DWV where it stubs into the cast iron drain line is rotted.”source ↗
“How big of a job is this repair? Something I should just do myself?”source ↗
“paid garbage plumbers to repipe cast iron for a new layout. they left this 3". other than rebuilding the floor higher and using a 4"/3" flange, other options? there is no way to run it lower to maintain slope.”source ↗
“root intrusion. replace that section or expect to do a yearly cleaning”source ↗
“That looks like clay pipe with roots intruding. It will continue to be a problem. I would negotiate for a structural pipe liner to be installed.”source ↗
“No idea if its a problem or not. Ultimately I can just see the video as i currently don't live there. So you are saying if not a problem today it will become my problem sooner than later?”source ↗
“Homeowner thinks that by topping the tree it will stop the roots from getting into her water main again.”source ↗
“having trouble figuring out how to make sure the tube that’s underground is not stopped up.”source ↗
“Any thoughts of how to make sure this is clear would be appreciated!”source ↗
“That rootball is basically a permanent clog at this point.”source ↗
“I have gutters that are below ground, it keeps clogging in one area close to trees.”source ↗
“The gutters are cleaned twice a year, not sure if gutter co is not cleaning correctly.”source ↗
“I'm afraid it’ll look messy and dirt will go everywhere with above ground. Should I keep above ground or below ground?”source ↗
“I have gutters that are below ground, it keeps clogging in one area close to trees.”source ↗
“The gutters are cleaned twice a year, not sure if gutter co is not cleaning correctly.”source ↗
“I'm afraid it’ll look messy and dirt will go everywhere with above ground. Should I keep above ground or below ground?”source ↗