Field guide for Burlington owners
Tree Roots and Sewer Laterals
Roots do not break pipes so much as find the gaps already there. Once inside, they grow into a net that catches everything flowing past.
- Steps you can safely take yourself
- What it looks like in Burlington houses
- When to put the wrench down and phone us
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The short answer
Tree roots enter sewer laterals through joints and small cracks, drawn by moisture and nutrients. Older clay and cast-iron laterals are the most vulnerable. Cabling clears them for a while; lining or replacing the damaged section stops them for good.
Key point
Roots do not break pipes so much as find the gaps already there.
Step by step
- Notice the pattern. Root blockages tend to recur at similar intervals, often worse in late summer and autumn when soil dries and roots seek water.
- Watch the lowest drains. Gurgling floor drains, slow basement toilets and water backing up during laundry suggest a main line restriction.
- Get the line cleared. A cable machine with a root-cutting head restores flow. See main sewer line clearing.
- Look inside. A camera inspection shows how far out the roots are, the pipe material and whether joints are offset or cracked.
- Choose a long-term fix. Options include scheduled clearing, trenchless lining, or excavation and replacement of the damaged section.
- Plan your planting. Any new tree with a big appetite for water belongs far from the path of the lateral.
Which trees cause most trouble
Willows, silver maples and poplars are well known for aggressive roots. Large Norway maples, common on older Burlington streets, also find their way in. Even a modest shrub can send fine roots into a cracked joint if the pipe is leaking moisture into the soil.
For reference on the opposite end of the house's water system, our guide to lead water service pipes covers the supply line coming in.
Have this ready when you call
- Which fixture, which floor
- Whether the main is closed
- Rough age of the house and heater
- Any past floods or drain work
The moment to phone us
- More than one fixture backs up or the floor drain overflows.
- Clearing has been needed more than once a year.
- The camera shows a collapsed or badly offset section; read about sewer line repair.
- You are buying an older house and want the lateral checked before closing.
Ask for a copy of the camera footage, with distances marked. That record lets you compare future inspections and gives any contractor quoting a repair the same clear picture.
First move in a leak
Close the main shut-off, open a low tap to drain pressure, then call (365) 464-5184.
Burlington specifics
Neighbourhoods developed in the 1950s and 1960s, such as Roseland, Dynes, Aldershot and parts of Shoreacres, often have clay laterals beneath mature trees, which makes root problems common. Newer suburbs north of the QEW generally have PVC laterals with glued joints, which resist roots well. The boundary between private and municipal responsibility is typically at the property line; contact the City of Burlington or Halton Region about roots in the public portion. A backwater valve is often added when a lateral is opened for repair. Condominium owners, whose shared sewers may be maintained by the corporation, can find related advice in our condo plumbing tips.
About root-killing products: chemical root treatments exist, but they only slow regrowth. They are not a substitute for repairing cracked or separated pipe.
Questions we hear
Can I just keep cabling roots every year?
Many homeowners do for some time, but the pipe usually keeps deteriorating. A camera inspection helps decide when repair becomes the better value.
Will removing the tree solve it?
Not always. Roots already in the pipe remain, and the damaged joints will let in roots from other plants.