Fast Plumbing Answers: Does Hydro Jetting Remove Roots?

Your drains are backing up, your toilets are slow to flush, and you're pretty sure tree roots have invaded your sewer line. You've heard about hydro jetting as a solution, but you're not sure if it actually removes roots or if it's just a temporary fix that costs a lot of money.

Don't worry: we'll answer all your questions in 3 minutes or less.

At Mother, we use hydro jetting to clear root-clogged sewer lines throughout Dallas-Fort Worth. Yes, hydro jetting removes roots- it's the most effective short-term way to clear severe root intrusions from underground pipes. But it's not a permanent solution. Roots will grow back unless you take additional steps.

We'll explain exactly how hydro jetting works, whether it's right for your situation, and what you need to do to keep roots out for good.

Need hydro jetting service in Dallas? Call Mother 24/7- we'll clear your sewer line and discuss long-term solutions.

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Yes, Hydro Jetting Removes Roots- For Now

Hydro jetting removes tree roots from your sewer pipes more effectively than other solutions. It's the most powerful drain cleaning method available for severe root problems. When roots become a tangled mess inside  sewer line, hydro jetting is often the only option that works.

"Hydro jetting is a pressure washer for the inside of your pipes," says our Responsible Master Plumber Steven Smith. "We're shooting water at 4,000 PSI through your sewer line. That's enough force to blast roots, grease, scale, and everything else completely out of the pipe."

How Hydro Jetting Clears Roots From Sewer Pipes

Hydro jetting uses a specialized nozzle attached to a high-pressure water hose. We feed this hose through your sewer cleanout and push it all the way through your clogged pipe.

The nozzle has jets that spray water at up to 4,000 PSI. As we pull the hose back through your pipe, the jets blast everything off the pipe walls- roots, grease, limescale- and flush it all away toward the city sewer system.

You'll see the difference immediately. Drains that were backing up will drain normally again. Toilets will flush with full force. The gurgling sounds from your drains will stop.

Not sure if hydro jetting is right for your drain problem? Compare hydro jetting to snaking and learn which method works best for different clogs.

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The Tree’s Not Dead- Your Roots Will Grow Back Over time

Hydro jetting removes the roots that are currently in your pipe, but it doesn't kill the tree or stop new roots from growing back. The tree roots outside your pipe are still alive and still searching for water and nutrients. Within 1-3 years, they'll find their way back into your sewer line through the same cracks and joints they used before.

Hydro jetting is still the most effective way to clear roots from your sewer line right now. Just understand it's a temporary solution- we'll address the best permanent fix in the next section.

The Best Long-Term Solution for Root Intrusions

Hydro jetting clears roots, but it doesn't change the fact that your sewer pipe has cracks or broken joints that let roots in. You need a long-term plan of attack to keep those roots from growing back into the line.

Most homeowners consider two options: sewer line repairs and chemical root treatment. While chemical treatments are cheaper upfront, they don’t ever address the actual sewer damage that allows root intrusions to occur.

Our Master Plumbers say opting for sewer repair now is the best long-term plan to keep roots out of your sewer lines for good.

Repair Damaged Sewer Lines to Stop Future Intrusions

Long-term, patching your sewer pipe or replacing a damaged section is the single best way to finish the job your hydro jetting service started.

Yes, it will cost more to repair your sewer line than apply chemical root killers. But that is where the “cons” of sewer repair end. 

You have three options for sewer line repair, depending on the scope and severity of your damaged pipe section:

Best Option for Most: Spot Repairs. Best for most root intrusion issues, as spot repairs handle damaged pipe sections under 10 feet in length. You’re not paying for a huge new section of pipe- rather, our plumbers target the specific trouble spot and replace it with fresh Schedule 40 PVC. This new section lasts 50+ years from date of installation.

This approach also saves on excavation costs and labor, because we don’t have to dig up your whole yard to deal with a specific patch. 

Short-Term Fix: Pipe Lining. We insert a flexible liner saturated with epoxy resin into your sewer pipe. We inflate this liner so it presses against the inside walls of your old pipe. The epoxy hardens over 2-4 hours, creating a new pipe inside the old one.

Pipe lining doesn’t last as long as spot repairs or partial replacement. It’s a great option if you plan to replace a larger section of your sewer line within the next decade.

For Widespread Damage: Partial Replacement. If 10-50 feet of your sewer line is compromised by a massive root intrusion, replace the entire section with Schedule 40 PVC for a new lease on life. 

Chemical Root Treatments Aren’t a Guaranteed Fix

Homeowners looking for a cost-effective solution to long-term root removal turn to chemical root treatments. A foaming herbicide goes into your sewer line through an access point (like a sewer cleanout). 

These chemicals are promoted to kill roots on contact and discourage new root growth for 1-3 years.

There are 4 inherent problems with using chemical root treatments:

1. You’re still not addressing the reason for root intrusions. Cracks and breaks in your sewer line still remain unsealed. You’ll need to reuse these chemicals over and over to prevent future intrusions.
2. It takes time. Existing roots don’t die off for 2-4 weeks after application.
3. Tree resistance grows over time. As you take medication, your resistance to its effects grows stronger. The same happens with tree roots.
4. Aggressive trees are chemical-resistant. These root killers don’t work well on poplars, willows, maples and sycamores- trees with some of the most aggressive root systems.

If you have root intrusion issues in your forever home, the chances are high you’ll end up calling a plumber to patch your sewer line- even after using chemical root killers.

Want to explore all your root removal options? Read our complete guide to cutting roots out of sewer lines.

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Why Tree Roots Love Your Sewer Pipes

Tree roots don't choose your sewer pipes by accident. They're actively seeking out the water and organic nutrients inside your sewer line.

Your sewer pipe carries organic waste- everything that goes down your drains. As this material flows through your pipes, small amounts of moisture and nutrients seep out through tiny cracks or gaps. Tree roots detect this moisture from surprisingly far away- sometimes 50-100 feet- and grow directly toward it.

Once a root finds a crack in your sewer pipe, it grows into the opening. The root gets bigger, forcing the crack wider. More roots follow. Eventually, you have a massive root ball completely blocking your pipe.

This is why root intrusions are almost always a sewer line problem, not a water line problem. Your sewer line carries the nutrients roots want. Your water line just carries clean water.

Water Line Issues Aren't Normally Caused by Root Intrusions

If you're experiencing water pressure problems or discolored water, tree roots aren't the cause. Roots don't often grow into water lines because there's no nutrients pulling them toward the pipe.

It’s easy to confuse other water line problems with root intrusions- they share some of the same symptoms. Here are two notable examples:

1. Corroded pipes. Old galvanized steel or copper water lines corrode from the inside, restricting water flow. This reduced pressure feels similar to a blockage.
2. Pressure regulator failure. When your home's pressure regulator fails, it causes sudden pressure drops that make you think something is blocking your water line.

If you're having water line issues, call a plumber for a pressure test and pipe inspection. In the rare event it is a root issue, you want this addressed immediately.

Clear Those Roots- Call Mother For Hydro Jetting Service

Hydro jetting effectively removes severe tree root intrusions from your sewer line. High-pressure water blasts roots (and more) out of your pipes and restores full wastewater flow away from your home quickly.

Remember: hydro jetting isn't a permanent fix. Roots will grow back through the same cracks within 1-3 years unless you seal those entry points or treat the roots chemically. Pipe lining creates a barrier inside your old pipe that roots can't penetrate. Chemical treatments kill roots and discourage regrowth for 1-3 years at a lower cost.

Most homeowners start with hydro jetting to clear the immediate problem, then choose between pipe lining (to bolster your pipe) or chemical treatments (for affordable ongoing maintenance).

Need hydro jetting for root removal in Dallas? Call Mother 24/7- we'll clear your sewer line and present the best permanent solution for your home.

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