Home Septic Guide Tree roots in septic lines
Septic problem guide
Tree roots in septic lines
Roots go where the water is, and a septic line is steady water and food. Around Cleveland, oaks, maples, sweetgums and willows are the usual culprits. Here’s how to tell if roots are your problem and how we clear them.
Signs of roots
How roots are cleared
Trees to keep away
Quick answer
Can tree roots get into septic lines?
Yes. Roots find tiny gaps at pipe joints and cracks, then grow into a mat that catches paper and blocks flow. Older clay and cast-iron lines are most at risk. Roots can also invade the drain field. A camera confirms it, and a water jetter with a cutting nozzle clears the line.
Joints
Where roots get in
Camera
Confirms roots are the cause
Jetter
Clears roots from the line
Signs
What are the signs of roots in a septic line?
- Slow drains that come back every few months
- Gurgling when toilets flush or the washer drains
- Backups even though the tank isn’t full
- A big tree between the house and the tank
- Sinking ground or cracks along the line’s path
Clearing
How are roots removed from septic lines?
- Camera the line to find where the roots are and how bad they are.
- Jet or cut the roots with a root-cutting nozzle or cable.
- Camera again to confirm the line is clear and check for cracked pipe.
- Repair the joint or section if the pipe is broken.
- Plan a check-up. Roots grow back; a yearly camera look catches them early.
Trees
Which trees are worst near a septic system?
| Tree | Risk | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Willow | High | Aggressive, water-seeking roots |
| Silver and red maple | High | Shallow, spreading roots |
| Sweetgum | High | Common in Bradley County yards; wide roots |
| Oak | Medium | Big root systems on older lots |
| Small shrubs and grass | Low | Best cover over lines and field |
Keep large trees well back from the tank, line and field. Ask a local nursery about distances for specific trees.
Prevention
How do you keep roots out of your septic system?
- Plant only grass over the tank, line and field
- Keep big trees well away from the system
- Replace old clay pipe with modern sealed pipe when it’s repaired
- Book a camera check if roots have been cleared before
Local case example
Example: roots in the line at a Hopewell home
The problem
Toilets backed up twice in a month, even though the tank had been pumped the year before.
What we found
The camera showed maple roots packed into a joint about 20 feet from the house. The tank was only half full.
What we did
Jetted the line with a root-cutting nozzle and ran the camera again to confirm it was clear.
The result
Drains ran freely. We suggested a yearly camera check because the tree is still close to the line.
Example scenario based on common jobs in our area. It is not a customer review.
We answer these calls across Cleveland (37311, 37312, 37323), Charleston and Calhoun, Georgetown, McDonald and Hopewell, Ooltewah, Harrison, and Benton and Ocoee, across Bradley, Hamilton, Polk and McMinn counties. See all service areas.
From our crew
Where do we find roots on our calls?
Roots show up most on older lots where the trees had decades to grow.
- Old clay pipe. Joints on 1970s and 1980s lines are easy for roots to enter.
- Maples planted as saplings. Now they’re big and right over the line.
- Fields in shaded yards. Roots and shade both slow a field.
- Lines that were “fixed” once. Roots were cut, but the joint wasn’t repaired.
FAQ
Questions we hear about this
Can roots damage a septic tank?
They can crack older tanks or lids and grow into the inlet or outlet.
Will root killer work in a septic system?
Some products are made for sewer lines, but they don’t fix cracked pipes. Clearing and repair are the lasting fixes.
How often do roots grow back?
It depends on the tree and the pipe. A yearly camera check is a good rule where roots have been cleared.
Can roots get into a drain field?
Yes. Trees near a field can send roots into the trenches.
Should I cut down a tree near my septic?
Not always. Talk to an arborist, and keep new plantings well away from the system.
Related: Line jetting & camera · Clogged line or full tank? · Drain field failure signs · Septic repair · Schedule septic pumping
Last updated October 2, 2026.
Think roots are blocking your line?
Call for a camera check and line clearing.