Quick Answer:
If every drain in the house is slow, stop using water immediately and check the main cleanout. Rising water at the cleanout or sewage backing toward fixtures usually means the blockage is in the main lateral. A camera run from the cleanout will show whether tree roots have formed a continuous mat through the pipe or whether the problem is a localized clog you can address quickly. Use the camera map to decide between targeted root cutting and full pipe replacement.
Why This Happens
Older sewer laterals or joints with small gaps attract tree roots because roots seek moisture and nutrients. Over time roots can grow into the pipe and form a dense mass that slows or stops flow. Roots can cause cracks, offsets, or full blockages. If roots are extensive, you’ll see slow drainage across the whole house, not just at one sink or toilet. Minor blockages from grease or debris usually cause intermittent slowdowns in single fixtures rather than a house-wide issue.
When roots are present in the main line, they may create a long, tangled obstruction or several localized intrusions. A proper inspection distinguishes between a continuous root mat and individual problem spots, which is why inspecting and mapping the pipe is essential. This is also why homeowners should learn to look for signs like backups at multiple fixtures and water rising at the cleanout rather than assuming a small drain issue.
Step-by-Step What to Do
1. Stop water use and inspect the main cleanout
- Immediately stop all nonessential water use to avoid making the problem worse.
- Locate and open the main cleanout (often in the basement, garage, or near the exterior wall). Watch for rising sewage or slow-moving water at the cleanout — that’s a clear sign the blockage is in the main lateral.
- Do not stick hands or unprotected tools into the cleanout; use gloves and eye protection and capture any flow with a bucket or rags if needed.
2. Run a camera inspection from the cleanout
- Hire or rent a sewer camera to inspect from the main cleanout toward the street connection. The camera will show whether you have a long, continuous root mat or a localized blockage like a joint offset.
- Look for telltale signs: repeated root rings, a ragged hole in the pipe, or a smooth gap where roots push in. Continuous mats generally mean more extensive repair is needed; single intrusions may be cut and cleared.
3. Check downstream cleanouts (street connection)
- Continue the camera all the way to the connection at the city sewer. If the pipe is clear at the municipal connection but blocked before it, the issue is on private property. If the blockage is at or beyond the city connection, the municipality may be responsible.
- Record the camera map and note the distance from the house to the obstruction — this helps determine who is responsible and what repair options are practical.
4. Follow the camera map to plan repair: targeted cutting or replacement
- Use the inspection footage and map to choose the least invasive fix. For a few localized root intrusions, targeted cutting or root foaming combined with cleaning may restore flow.
- For continuous root mats, multiple repairs, collapsed sections, or crushed pipe, plan for trenchless replacement or dig-and-replace based on the camera map and pipe condition.
- Keep the camera footage for the contractor — it speeds diagnosis and avoids unnecessary digging.
What Not to Do
- Avoid repeatedly running garbage disposals or dishwasher cycles to “flush” the line; that can worsen compaction and root ingress — call a pro when slow drainage affects the whole house or sewage levels increase at the cleanout.
- Do not pour strong chemical drain cleaners into the main cleanout or sewer lateral; they are unlikely to remove roots and can be hazardous to work around and harmful to pipes.
- Don’t start digging near the cleanout or along the lateral without calling utility locating services and confirming the exact pipe route from the camera map.
- Do not attempt to remove deep-rooted mats by hand or with inappropriate tools; improper cutting can leave roots that regrow or damage the pipe further.
When to Call a Professional
- Call a licensed plumber or sewer contractor if you see rising sewage at the cleanout, notice multiple fixtures are slow, or if the camera shows long root mats or damaged pipe.
- Professionals can run a full camera survey, provide a liability-stamped map, perform safe mechanical root cutting, offer root-killing foam treatments where appropriate, and advise on trenchless replacement if needed.
- If the camera shows the obstruction beyond your property line, contact the municipality after documenting the footage — they may handle repairs on their side.
Safety Notes
- Sewage contains pathogens. Wear gloves, eye protection, and avoid skin contact. Wash hands thoroughly after any exposure.
- Do not enter confined spaces or manholes. Leave confined-space entry to trained, equipped professionals.
- Before digging, call local utility locating services. Unmarked lines can be dangerous.
- Use mechanical cutting and cameras only if you understand the equipment. Improper use can push roots deeper, damage pipes, or cause injury.
Common Homeowner Questions
- What if the camera shows only a small root intrusion? Short answer: a targeted cut and clean can often restore flow and delay replacement.
- How quickly do roots come back after cutting? Short answer: roots can regrow in months to a few years; follow-up treatments or pipe repair reduce recurrence.
- Can I treat roots myself? Short answer: minor surface roots may be treated with root-killing foam applied by a pro, but deep repairs and camera inspections are best left to contractors.
For more on identifying long-term root problems in your lateral, see main lateral roots, and for situations with occasional clogging rather than house-wide slowdown, read about intermittent backups.
More in this topic
For more related fixes and similar symptoms, see Tree Root Intrusion Patterns.