Did you know that your slow-draining sink, tub, or toilet may be caused by tree roots in your private sewer lateral?  Your private lateral is the line that connects your house to the sewer main line. The homeowner is responsible for maintaining their private lateral. The sanitary district maintains the main line.  Hair-like root tendrils can catch waste, such as toilet paper and other solids, making it difficult for sewage to flow from your home to the main sewer line.  Sewer lines are full of things tree roots love to absorb, like water, nutrients, and oxygen.  Once tree roots make their way into a pipe, it’s only a matter of time before they grow inside and block the flow of waste, causing blockages, damaged pipes, and expensive repairs. You can avoid expensive private sewer lateral damage by taking a few preventative measures:

• Contact a licensed plumber for a sewer lateral inspection.
• Be aware of frequent, unexplained clogs, backed up and slow drains, and gurgling sounds coming from toilets and floor drains.
• Do not plant trees near sewer lines.  If you do, select slow-growing trees with a small root area.
• Sewer line barriers can be buried vertically next to the sewer pipe to prevent tree roots from reaching pipes.

Before doing any digging in your yard, always call your local utility or the national 811 “Call Before You Dig” number to find the location of your sewer line and other utilities.