Tree Roots Can Ruin Your Plumbing—Here’s How to Catch the Damage Early
If you’re a homeowner near Rancho Cucamonga, there’s a silent threat creeping beneath your lawn. Tree roots invading your main drain line. Sewer root damage within older clay or cast iron pipes are especially vulnerable in this area. Root intrusion is one of the leading causes of major backups in San Bernardino County.
Warning Signs Homeowners Must Know About Sewer Line Damage from Tree Roots
Here’s what to watch for and what to do before it becomes an expensive plumbing repair and sewer system emergency.
1. Slow Drains Throughout the House
If you notice all your drains backing up slowly at the same time—sink, toilet, tub—it’s likely not just a clog. Tree roots in the sewer line can narrow or block the flow of waste water, causing slow drainage in multiple fixtures, not just one.
2. Gurgling Toilets or Bubbling Drains
Strange noises from your toilet after flushing or bubbling in your shower drain are signs of air trapped in the system, usually caused by a partial blockage. Roots can grow through pipe joints and restrict air and water flow—like a growing net inside your sewer line.
3. Lush Green Patches in the Yard
Notice a section of your yard that’s suspiciously greener or soggier than the rest? Tree roots naturally grow toward moisture, and a leaking sewer line creates the perfect environment. The leak feeds both the tree and the grass—but it’s a red flag for you.
4. Recurring Toilet Backups
If you’re plunging the toilet every few days, it’s likely not just bad luck. Tree root intrusion leads to partial blockages that get worse over time. Most DIY solutions treat symptoms, not the source.
5. Bad Odors in the Yard or Basement
A cracked or blocked sewer line can cause sewage smells to leak into your yard—or worse, your home. If you smell rotten eggs or a musty sewage odor, especially near floor drains or outside cleanouts, get it checked immediately!
Don’t Wait for a Disaster to Strike
At Bow Tie Plumbing & Rooter, we’ve helped hundreds of Rancho Cucamonga area homeowners stop root damage before it wrecks their plumbing and their wallet. If you’ve noticed any of the signs above, reach out for a sewer camera inspection. It’s fast, non-invasive, and could save you thousands in future repairs.
👉 Call Bow Tie Plumbing at 909-804-8000 now or book your sewer root damage inspection online — before those roots get any deeper.