A lot of homeowners can be confused about the cost of rooter service in 2022, and with so many plumbers offering rooter services in the SoCal area, we thought it would be helpful to put together this definitive guide to rooter service costs. Because at Western Rooter & Plumbing, we believe that an informed buyer is a happy one, and we want you to be as happy with your rooter service as possible.
Rooter services can vary greatly in price, depending on the severity of the clog, the type of rooter service required, and the plumber performing the rooter service. For a basic rooter service performed by a licensed professional plumber, you should always call a professional, experienced, and licensed plumber with a lot of experience providing rooter services.
What is rooter service?
Do you have a tree in your front or back yard? How about your neighbor?
If the answer is yes, then your home is at risk for tree root intrusion. Tree roots can grow into and block your sewer line, which can cause sewage to back up into your home through your toilets, showers, and sinks, causing extensive damage and costly repairs.
Rooter service is the process of clearing tree roots and other debris from your sewer line, using a rooter machine. A rooter machine is a motorized device that spins a cutting blade or auger at high speed to clear the obstruction without causing damage to the internal pipe lining or pipe.
Why do tree roots invade plumbing pipes?
Tree roots love water, nitrogen, and other minerals that can be found in abundance… in your sewer lines. When tree roots sense these nutrients, they will grow towards the source of the water, which is your sewer line. Over time, as the roots grow larger and stronger, they can begin to crack and break through your sewer line, causing a blockage – especially if you have narrower or old plumbing pipes.
If your home was built before 1960 and you can’t find any record of sewer pipe replacement in the last few decades, then it’s likely that your sewer line is made of clay or orangeburg pipe, which are both very susceptible to root intrusion.
Clay pipes are made of, well, clay. And while they are strong enough to withstand the weight of the soil and trees above them, they are no match for the root systems of mature trees. Once tree roots penetrate a clay pipe, they can quickly cause a blockage.
Orangeburg pipe is made of a type of paper-pulp composite that was popular in the mid-20th century. Like clay pipes, orangeburg pipe is also susceptible to root intrusion. The paper composite breaks down over time, leaving gaps and cracks that tree roots can exploit to enter the pipe.
Why tree roots are bad for your sewer pipes:
It goes without saying that having a system of tree roots living in your sewer line is a bad thing… but why, exactly? Well, there are plenty of reasons why you should be worried if you suspect this is happening to you.
The tree roots growing into your sewer pipes can cause problems, such as the following:
- Sewage backing up into your home through toilets, showers, and sinks. If you have a clogged bathroom sink drain and want to rule a tree root invasion out, then follow this guide to learn more.
- Extensive damage to your sewer line.
- Costly repairs to your sewer line.
How do you remove roots from sewer pipes?
There are only two ways to remove tree roots from sewer pipes: either remove the pipe and place a new, sturdier one, or use a rooter to tear the tree roots out of the pipe.
The first option is the most expensive, as it requires excavating your yard to reach the sewer line and replacing the pipe (though many times, we’re able to do this without digging up your yard with a trenchless sewer repair service). This option is usually only necessary if the root system has caused extensive damage to the pipe or if the root system is so large that it cannot be effectively removed with a rooter.
The second option is less expensive and can be just as effective, depending on the severity of the root intrusion. A rooter is a motorized device that spins a cutting blade or auger at high speed to clear the obstruction without causing damage to the internal pipe lining or pipe.
Rooters were invented in the early 1900s and have been used to clear tree roots from sewer pipes ever since. While rooters are effective at clearing most tree root blockages, they are not 100% effective. In some cases, the root system may be too large or the root intrusion too severe for a rooter to effectively remove. In these cases, excavating and replacing the pipe may be the only option.
Who to call for rooter service?
Rooter services should only be performed by licensed plumbers and rooter technicians, because rooter machines can cause damage to pipes if used improperly.
If you think you have a tree root blockage in your sewer line, the first step is to call a licensed plumber or rooter technician to assess the situation and determine the best course of action. They will likely use a rooter machine to clear the obstruction, but in some cases, excavating and replacing the pipe may be the only option.
How does rooter service work?
Rooters work by spinning a cutting blade or auger at high speed to clear the obstruction without causing damage to the internal pipe lining or pipe.
Rooters were invented in the early 1900s and have been used to clear tree roots from sewer pipes ever since. While rooters are effective at clearing most tree root blockages, they are not always 100% effective. In some cases, the root system may be too large or the root intrusion too severe for a rooter to effectively remove. In these cases, excavating and replacing the pipe may be the only option.
What should I expect to pay for a rooter service?
The cost of a rooter service depends on the severity of the root intrusion, the type of pipe that needs to be cleared, and whether or not the rooter machine is able to effectively remove the obstruction. In some cases, excavating and replacing the pipe may be the only option, which can be very costly.
If you think you have a tree root blockage in your sewer line, you can expect to pay anywhere between $100 and $1000 for a rooter service, depending on the severity of the root intrusion. Excavating and replacing the pipe can cost upwards of $5000.
When should I call for rooter service?
If you think you have a tree root blockage in your sewer line, you should call a licensed plumber or rooter specialist. Thankfully, rooter service is our middle name – literally!
Call Western Rooter & Plumbing at (626) 448-6455 today for all your rooter needs! We are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call.
We hope this article was helpful in explaining the rooter service process and what you can expect to pay for rooter service. If you have any further questions, or if you need rooter service, please don’t hesitate to give us a call! We’re always happy to help. Thanks for reading!
