Burbank is known for its tree-lined streets — oaks, ficus, jacarandas, and pepper trees that provide shade and character to neighborhoods. But those same beautiful trees are a leading cause of sewer line damage for homeowners across the San Fernando Valley. Tree roots and your underground sewer line are on a collision course.
Why Tree Roots Target Sewer Lines
Tree roots follow water and nutrients. Your sewer line is a constant source of both. Roots — even from trees 20, 30, or 50 feet away — can extend horizontally through the soil seeking moisture. They find the warmth and humidity emanating from your sewer line through the tiniest crack, loose joint, or even through the pipe material itself.
How Root Damage Progresses
- Stage 1 — Hair roots enter: Fine root fibers enter through a small crack or joint gap, drawn by moisture vapor escaping from the pipe
- Stage 2 — Root mass forms: Hair roots establish and grow thicker, forming a mass that traps toilet paper, grease, and debris
- Stage 3 — Pipe deformation: As roots grow, they expand the crack wider, putting pressure on the pipe walls. Cast iron may crack; clay pipes (common in pre-1970 Burbank homes) shatter
- Stage 4 — Complete blockage or collapse: The root mass completely blocks flow, causing sewage to back up into the home
Trees Most Likely to Cause Sewer Damage
- Ficus (fig) trees — famously aggressive roots
- Willow and poplar trees
- Oak trees — slower but extremely powerful roots
- Magnolia and pepper trees
- Any tree planted within 20 feet of your sewer lateral
Warning Signs of Root Intrusion
- Slow flushing toilets that don't respond to plunging
- Gurgling sounds from multiple drains at once
- Sewage smell from floor drains or exterior cleanouts
- Multiple drain backups on the same day
- Lush, abnormally green patches of grass over your sewer line path
Solutions for Root Intrusion
Treatment depends on how far the damage has progressed:
- Hydro jetting: High-pressure water cuts through root masses and flushes debris — buys time for pipes that are still structurally sound
- Root cutting with an auger: Mechanical cutting for heavier root masses
- Trenchless pipe lining (CIPP): A resin-saturated liner is inserted and cured inside the existing pipe, creating a new pipe within the old one — no digging required
- Pipe replacement: For severely collapsed or crushed sections, excavation and new pipe is the only permanent fix
The best solution is early detection. A sewer camera inspection takes about an hour and shows us exactly what's happening inside your line before a full backup forces the issue. Call Prestige Plumbing Services at (818) 688-1595 to schedule a sewer camera inspection today.
