Of the many things that can cause a frustrating clogged drain, a hidden tree root is one of the most difficult to detect and resolve. While trees are a beautiful addition to your home’s surroundings, their roots grow towards any available source of water and nutrients, and it can be hard to know what the problem is until it’s too late. To learn more about how to detect this issue in time, have a look at the guide below.

How to Tell Tree Roots Are Clogging the Drains

1. Slow Draining

You rely on drains in sinks, bathtubs, and showers to quickly and efficiently carry water away, so the first sign of a problem is slow draining. If water in the tub seems to take longer than usual to empty, it’s possible that a root has broken through your pipes and is slowing the passage of water through them.

2. Green Patches in the Lawn

Vivid areas of new plant growth, such as grass, shrubs, or trees, can be a sign that your lawn is simply healthy. But it could also be an indication that plants are getting a steady supply of moisture and water from your pipes.

If you’re able to determine that a pipe is underneath an area of new growth, there’s a strong likelihood that roots are interfering with your plumbing and causing a clogged drain.

3. Unpleasant Smells

Unwanted odors that smell like sewage, soil, or stagnant water coming from your drains could be caused by roots. When roots block pipes, they can stop the movement of waste, which will build up and cause smells to drift back up the pipes.

 

If you’re concerned that tree roots could be behind a clogged drain in your home, contact All Star Rooter, Sewer and Drain Cleaning in Fairfield County, CT, for help resolving the issue. This local business offers a variety of services, including video sewer inspections, drain cleaning, and water jetting to find and remove harmful roots from drains. To schedule an appointment, call (203) 286-4498 or check out the full range of their services on their website.