Sewer machines, not hand snakes
We run sectional and drum sewer machines with the torque to cut through serious root masses in 3–6 inch main lines. Root-cutting heads shred the intrusion; the line gets its full diameter back.
Rooter & main-line service
Roots in the line? Cut them out.
When multiple drains back up at once, the problem isn't in your sink — it's in the main sewer line, and tree roots are suspect number one. Our rooter service cuts roots and blockages out of main lines with pro-grade sewer machines, verified by camera.
How it works
Main-line muscle, applied precisely
Rooter work is a different trade than snaking a bathroom sink — heavier cable, cutting heads instead of retriever tips, and the judgment to clear the line without destroying it.
Camera before and after
We scope the line to see what we're dealing with — roots, bellies, breaks — and scope it again after clearing. You see the before and after on screen, and we see whether the pipe itself needs attention.
An honest plan for the roots
Cutting buys you 12–24 months before roots return through the same openings. We'll tell you straight: maintain with periodic clearing, or fix the damaged section permanently. Your call, with real footage to base it on.
Know the difference
Is it roots, or something else?
Root intrusion has a signature: several fixtures misbehaving at once, backups that return on a schedule, and mature trees anywhere near the line's path. But bellied pipe, grease, and collapsed sections can mimic the symptoms — which is why the camera goes in first. Guessing with a main line is expensive.
Just one slow drain? That's drain cleaning. Grease and scale coating the whole line? Hydro jetting. Line too damaged to clear? Sewer line repair & replacement.
Main-line specialists
Backed up again? Let's see what's in there.
Camera inspection, root cutting, and an honest plan — not just another clearing.
FAQ
Rooter questions, answered
How do tree roots get into sewer lines?
Roots seek moisture, and the joints of clay and older sewer lines are an open invitation — they slip through tiny gaps and grow into a dense mass inside the pipe. Even small cracks in PVC or cast iron can admit fine roots that expand over time. It's the most common main-line problem we see in established Austin neighborhoods with mature trees.
What's the difference between rooter service and drain cleaning?
Drain cleaning handles branch drains — the lines from individual fixtures to the main. Rooter service targets the main sewer line itself, using heavier sewer machines with root-cutting heads sized for 3–6 inch pipe. Different pipes, different blockages, different equipment.
Will cutting the roots fix the problem permanently?
Cutting restores flow, but roots grow back through the same openings — typically within 12–24 months. Rooter service is maintenance for a damaged line, not a cure. The permanent fix is repairing or replacing the compromised section (see our sewer line repair page). We'll show you the camera footage and help you decide which path makes sense.
Can hydro jetting remove roots instead?
A root-cutting jetter nozzle can clear roots and has the advantage of flushing the debris out completely. For heavy root masses, we often start with the rooter machine to cut through, then jet to clean the line fully. The right approach depends on what the camera shows.
What are the signs of roots in my sewer line?
Multiple fixtures draining slowly at once, toilets gurgling when the washer drains, sewage smells from drains, and backups that return months after a clearing. If your home has large trees near the sewer line's path to the street, roots should be your first suspect.
Ready when you are.
Austin: (512) 233-6590 · Marble Falls: (830) 460-3565