Fast Plumbing Answers: Signs of Roots in Pipes

You've noticed damp spots in your backyard that smell like sewage, or a gurgling sound in your drains. You suspect the large trees on your property may be to blame. Do you have tree root intrusions in your underground pipes?

Don’t worry: we’ll answer all your questions in 2 minutes or less.

We’re Mother, a Dallas-Fort Worth plumbing company that provides dependable, hassle-free modern plumbing for homeowners who value quality. Call us if you need fast, expert removal of tree roots in your sewer line.

{{sewer-line-repair-and-replacement="/services/sewer-line-repair-and-replacement"}}

‍

Fast Facts: Signs of Roots in Pipes

Root intrusions are common in Dallas-Fort Worth due to aggressive, mature tree root systems.

It’s frustrating not knowing the source of a leak, especially when it’s hidden underground. Locating water line and sewer line leaks can feel like a guessing game.

Our plumbers have over a century of combined experience locating and repairing water line and sewer line leaks underground. We live and work in Dallas-Fort Worth, an area filled with gorgeous live oaks and crape myrtles — beautiful trees with ugly, intrusive root systems.

Here are 4 telltale signs of a root intrusion in your buried pipes:

• Slow or clogged drains: This is one of the first and most noticeable signs of a leak. Roots can create obstructions, causing backups in your sinks, showers, or toilets.
• Gurgling sounds in drains or toilets: These unusual noises indicate trapped air or restricted flow. If you don’t put harmful things down your drains, a root intrusion is often the culprit.
• Sewage odors: If you notice a persistent sewage smell in your yard, especially near trees, there’s a leak or crack in your sewer lateral.
• Damp or soggy spots in the yard: A constantly wet area in your lawn, even when it hasn't rained, signals a leak in your water line or sewer line. These spots often smell like sewage.

DFW-Specific Problems Caused by Roots in Pipes

We love University Park's trees - but residents don't like how often they bust into sewer lines.

In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, tree root intrusions are a significant plumbing concern. Our region is full of gorgeous, mature trees — but they also possess aggressive root systems that actively seek out moisture and nutrients within underground pipes. This problem occurs frequently if you pour fats, oil or grease down your drains.

{{are-fats-oil-and-grease-fogs-ruining-your-drains="/blogs/are-fats-oil-and-grease-fogs-ruining-your-drains"}}

​

Expansive clay soil in North Texas doesn’t help matters. During dry periods, the clay soil shrinks, shifting and stressing underground pipes. This creates small cracks or weakened joints that tree roots can then exploit and penetrate. 

And when the soil swells with moisture, it further compresses your already weakened pipes. This leads to more significant water line and sewer line damage and burst pipes.

Act fast and save thousands in costly underground pipe repairs

Locating the source of your leak quickly is crucial for several reasons. 

1. Undetected water line leaks waste significant amounts of water and lead to higher utility bills. 
2. Sewer line leaks contaminate your soil and pose health risks. 
3. The longer the problem persists, the more extensive and costly the repairs can become. 

Identify the source and location of your leaks promptly. You’ll minimize damage to your property and prevent more complex plumbing problems down the line.

Want more information? Read our complete guide to DFW yard leak detection services.

{{yard-leak-detection-fort-worth="/blogs/yard-leak-detection-fort-worth"}}

‍

Worried About Tree Root Intrusions? Here's What to Do

Call Mother for expert DFW yard leak detection with no digging or excavation.

Here’s your 3-step plan to get rid of roots in your pipes fast:

1. Sewer line camera inspection: A specialized camera snakes through your sewer lines to visually identify blockages, cracks, and root intrusions.
2. Hydrostatic pressure testing and diagnostics: This involves pressurizing your water lines to identify pressure drops that signal a leak.
3. Hydro jetting: Powerful, safe high-pressure cleaning that reaches deep in your sewer line to bust up those pesky tree roots. 

Mother’s hydro jetting services come with a free sewer line camera inspection!

Call Mother for Expert DFW Sewer Repair Service

Don't tear up your backyard to find the source of your underground leak! Mother offers advanced yard leak detection services for fast, pinpoint location of sewer line leaks without unnecessary digging or excavation.

Then, use hydro jetting services to knock those roots out for good.

DFW homeowners: Need a fast, accurate diagnosis of your underground pipe issues? Contact Mother today for expert leak detection and sewer repair services.

{{sewer-line-repair-and-replacement="/services/sewer-line-repair-and-replacement"}}

​