Why Tree Roots Are the #1 Cause of Sewer Line Blockages in Michigan

If you live in West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, or Southfield, your property probably has mature trees — and while they make your yard beautiful, their roots can silently destroy your main sewer line.

Roots are drawn to the moisture inside underground pipes. Once they find even a hairline crack in an older clay or cast-iron sewer line, they’ll grow toward it, break it open, and spread through the entire pipe.

That’s when you start noticing slow drains, sewage odors, or full backups in your home.

At Sewer23, we specialize in tree root removal and permanent prevention for residential and commercial sewer systems throughout Metro Detroit.

Signs of Tree Roots in Your Main Sewer Line

• Toilets gurgle or drain slowly after flushing

• Sewage backs up into your basement or tub

• Frequent clogs in multiple drains

• Smell of sewage outside or in your yard

• Patches of unusually green grass above your sewer line

If any of these sound familiar, it’s time for a camera inspection — the only way to confirm if roots are invading your line.

How Sewer23 Removes Tree Roots (and Keeps Them Gone)

We don’t do quick fixes. Our technicians use a three-phase approach to clear the line and prevent regrowth:

1️⃣ Video Camera Inspection – We insert a high-resolution camera to locate every root mass and identify cracks or separations.

2️⃣ Hydro-Jetting and Root Cutting – Using 4,000 PSI water pressure and rotating nozzles, we remove all roots, grease, and buildup without damaging the pipe.

3️⃣ RootX® Treatment or Pipe Lining – We apply a foaming root-killing solution (RootX®) that prevents regrowth for up to a year, or install a trenchless epoxy liner that seals the pipe permanently.

The Permanent Fix: Trenchless Pipe Lining

If your sewer line has been invaded repeatedly, lining the pipe is the best long-term solution.
Our trenchless pipe lining process creates a seamless new pipe inside your existing one — sealing every joint and eliminating root access forever.

• No major digging or yard destruction

• Repairs completed in 1–2 days

• 50+ year lifespan

• Works on clay, cast iron, or PVC lines

Typical Costs for Root Removal and Repair

Every job includes before-and-after video documentation, so you can see exactly what we fixed.

Why Michigan Homes Are Prone to Root Intrusion

• Older clay and cast-iron sewer lines (pre-1980s)

• Large oak and maple trees planted close to easements

• High groundwater and shifting soil in Oakland County

• Seasonal freezing and thawing that opens pipe joints

Sewer23’s technicians know local soil conditions and pipe layouts — because we live and work here too.

Prevent Future Root Intrusion

• Schedule an annual camera inspection

• Add RootX® treatment every 12 months

• Avoid planting new trees over sewer easements

• Replace damaged sections before full collapse

Call the Local Sewer Root Removal Experts

Tree roots won’t stop growing on their own — but we know how to stop them for good.

📞 (248) 993-3423
💧 Sewer23.com

Serving West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Novi, and the surrounding Metro Detroit area.