How Much Does it Cost to Clear Roots from a Pipe? (Learn More!)

Trees provide plenty of benefits, from reducing the effects of climate change to providing natural shade. Tree roots are responsible for absorbing water and nutrients to keep trees strong, but what happens when those roots grow where they’re not supposed to? Roots can wreak havoc with your home’s drain and sewage system if they enter the pipes, so it helps to know how much does it cost to clear roots from a pipe.

We know all about the different factors involved in tree root removal and believe it’s best to share it with you! At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’ve seen the damage roots can cause to a home’s pipe system. Since 2007, we’ve saved and repaired hundreds of pipes throughout the Los Angeles area that fell victim to this common problem.

Do you want to know which price you can expect to pay? You can pay as low as $30 to up to thousands of dollars depending on what tree root method you use and how severe the damage is from the root invasion on your pipes. Read on further to learn more about tree root removal pricing.

How Much Does it Cost to Get Roots Out of Pipes?

If you want to hire a plumber to remove roots from your home’s pipes, you can pay between $100 to at least $1,000. The big range in price depends on the type of equipment required and the severity of the existing issue.

Remember that tree roots will only invade your pipes if they locate an opening along the pipe, regardless of size. Pipes with holes or cracks are never a good thing and should always be addressed immediately, regardless of whether there are roots inside them or not.

Roots will always grow toward a water source. That’s just a quick explanation, but here’s a more in-depth look at why there are roots in your sewer pipes.

It is crucial to immediately take care of any pipe and plumbing issues. Are you experiencing any of the following issues in your home?

• Sewage stench coming from your bathroom or kitchen sink.
• Recurring backups in the toilet, sink, or other bathroom fixtures.
• Increased pests and flies throughout your home
• Random greener patches of grass in your yard
• Potholes

These are the common symptoms for not only tree roots but major leaks and old pipes as well. If you’re dealing with backups, it may be due to roots or other issues, such as clogs. A professional plumber will use a camera inspection to confirm if the symptoms are related to tree roots or not.

How Do You Get Rid of Roots in Pipes?

There are a few methods to remove roots from your home’s pipes altogether. These methods work, but some will be more effective than others while also costing more.

Understanding the signs of a possible tree root pipe invasion is essential, but the only way to determine that you have roots in your pipe is through a camera inspection from a plumber. A plumber will insert a drain opening with a long cable attached to a waterproof camera at the tip.

A camera inspection provides visual proof that roots have invaded your pipes. Once the root cause is found, there are several ways to get rid of roots, depending on your budget.

Root Killer for Your Home’s Pipes

Root killer solution is a strong chemical made up of herbicides that kill roots in your pipes. Regarding costs, rootkiller solutions are on the low end of pricing. The price for root killer ranges from $20 to closer to $100, depending on the brand and amount of chemical needed.

This herbicidal solution is more of a quick fix than a permanent solution. Root killer is highly effective in dissolving and killing off roots in your pipes. If you have holes in your pipes, the roots will still grow back, and repeated use of root killers can potentially damage pipes in the long term.

Root killer doesn’t cover any cracks or openings where new roots can re-invade your pipes. If roots grow back after a couple of months or years, you will have to re-use the solution to kill off new roots. This root removal method gets rid of roots in the short term, but may not be the best solution for long-term root invasion.

Root killer is available in most major hardware stores, so it’s easy to obtain but requires careful handling. If you purchase a root killer, keep it away from small children and pets. It contains hazardous chemicals which are harmful to people and animals.

Hydro-Jetting For Tree Root Removal

After a camera inspection detects where the roots are located in your pipes, a plumber will offer a hydro-jetting service to remove any problematic roots. A hydro-jetting service can cost you between $600 to $1,600.

Hydro-jetting involves inserting a hose into your home’s pipes and using highly pressurized water to remove any roots and any buildup of dirt and debris. If you are curious to learn more about hydro-jetting, check out this article to learn more about what it is.

With hydro-jetting, a plumber will flush out any debris left behind once the roots are destroyed. Hydro-jetting is an effective way of removing roots, and it should only be completed by a professional plumbing company.

Snaking Your Pipes to Remove Tree Roots

A specialized drain auger is one sure method of killing and removing roots from your pipes. The end of an auger has a specialized mechanical saw or cutters that a plumber can operate to destroy any invading roots in your pipes. This process is also called snaking and can cost a few hundred dollars.

Auger tools are special tools all plumbers in the Los Angeles area carry. You may have a plastic drain auger in your home for bathroom clogs. Plumbers use specialized augers that require specialized handling so that drains aren’t damaged during the snaking process.

Replacing Your Pipes to Eliminate Tree Roots

The best way to remove tree roots and prevent them from invading your pipes again is by replacing them. Roots will only wreak havoc inside your pipes if there are cracks which tree roots can grow into.

Replacing your home’s pipes to eliminate tree roots could cost anywhere from $1000 to $20,000. The best way to get a more clear idea of pricing is to speak with a plumbing company in your area.

The other tree root removal methods can kill off roots but won’t fix the cracks in your pipes where roots can grow again. With pipe replacement, you will not only eliminate tree roots but also have brand-new pipes that will improve the plumbing performance in your home!

Next Steps for Tree Root Removal in Your Home’s Pipes

Who doesn’t love resting under the shade of a tree on a hot day? Trees are a huge contributor to comfort, but tree roots can become a problem for your pipes.

We’ve seen firsthand the damage tree roots can cause in our years of experience. Roots can extend far and wide searching for water sources, which can be an issue when they locate water from your pipes under your yard. It can lead to backups and other problems with your plumbing.

Our experience has made us experts in tree root removal, including pricing. This guide was designed to help answer any of your questions regarding the cost of removing roots in your pipes.

If you’re ready to tackle the roots in your pipes, book an appointment with us online. You can also contact us at (818) 213-1773 to learn more about our services and methods for removing tree roots.