Root Intrusion Removal
An independent, licensed plumbing contractor. Not affiliated with Denver Water or the City and County of Denver.
Roots do not break into sound pipe. They follow moisture to a joint or crack that is already open, then expand until they fill the line. Cutting restores flow. Closing the entry point is what keeps them out.
- Roots enter at joints and cracks.
- Cutting alone is temporary.
- Camera finds every entry point.
- Lining seals the opening for good.
- Common under mature Denver trees.
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What Root Intrusion Is
Root intrusion is tree or shrub root growth inside the sewer line. Roots sense moisture and vapor escaping from a defect, grow toward it, and enter through the smallest available opening.
Inside the pipe, roots find constant water and nutrients and grow into dense mats. Those mats catch paper, grease, and solids, which is what turns a small intrusion into a full blockage.
Root intrusion is a symptom. The underlying defect is an open joint, a crack, or a failing pipe wall.
(720) 935-6221How to Identify Root Intrusion
- Blockages that return every few months at the same distance.
- Gurgling drains and slow flow across multiple fixtures.
- Camera shows white or tan root hairs entering at a joint.
- Mature trees or large shrubs along the sewer path.
- Prior cleanings that pulled back root material on the cable.
How We Diagnose It
Why Roots Keep Coming Back
Mechanical cutting removes what is inside the pipe but leaves the opening. The root system outside is untouched and regrows through the same defect, usually within one or two growing seasons.
Chemical treatments slow regrowth at the entry point but do not restore the pipe. They are a maintenance tool, not a repair.
The permanent solution is removing the entry point: seal the joint with a liner, replace the section, or replace the line.
Removal and Permanent Fix Options
- Mechanical root cutting to restore flow immediately.
- Hydro jetting with root cutting heads to strip the pipe wall clean.
- Camera inspection after cleaning to find every entry point.
- Sectional spot repair to seal an isolated joint.
- CIPP lining to seal every joint along the run at once.
- Pipe bursting or open cut where the pipe wall itself is compromised.
How Root Work Runs
- 1
Restore Flow
Cutting and jetting clear the blockage so the property is usable again.
- 2
Inspect the Clean Pipe
Only a cleaned line shows the true defect. We camera after clearing, not before.
- 3
Map Entry Points
Each intrusion is located by distance and depth so the repair scope is exact.
- 4
Seal or Replace
We seal isolated joints, line whole runs, or replace pipe depending on what the footage shows.
Get a Straight Answer on What Your Line Needs
What Drives Root Work Cost
Clearing cost depends on root density and line length. A heavily rooted run takes multiple passes.
The permanent repair drives the larger number, and that depends on how many entry points exist and whether the pipe wall is still sound.
Repeat cleaning has a cost too. Several service calls per year often exceeds the cost of sealing the defect once.
- Root regrowth is fastest where the ground next door stays irrigated all summer, which is why we wrote our Skyland page
- For the same canopy pressure on the blocks beside the park, read our City Park West page
Frequently Asked Questions
Applicable Methods and Related Diagnosis Pages
Hydro Jetting and Descaling
High pressure water and cutting heads that strip grease, roots, and scale.
Explore Hydro Jetting and DescalingSewer Camera Inspection
Video inspection that identifies the defect, its depth, and its location.
Explore Sewer Camera InspectionCIPP Cured-In-Place Lining
A resin liner cured inside the host pipe to form a new jointless pipe wall.
Explore CIPP Cured-In-Place LiningSectional Spot Repair
A short liner or replacement section targeting one isolated defect.
Explore Sectional Spot RepairClay Tile Sewer Line Repair
Vitrified clay tile, its joint problem, and what repair options it accepts.
Explore Clay Tile Sewer Line RepairCracked Sewer Line
Crack types, what causes each, and which are repairable in place.
Explore Cracked Sewer LineStop Paying for the Same Root Blockage
Find the entry point, close it, and the regrowth stops.