Roots in the Pipes? How They Get In and What to Do

You love the trees in your yard — until they start ruining your plumbing.

If you’re living in Scarborough and your drains are slow, backing up, or smelling a little off, the real culprit might not be grease or soap… it might be a root invasion.

Yup, trees don’t just crack sidewalks. Their roots can sneak into your underground pipes, grow fast, and block everything in their path.

Here’s how it happens — and what UPR does to stop it for good.

It all starts with tiny cracks in your pipes. Over time, older clay or cast iron sewer lines naturally develop weak spots. And since roots love moisture, they sniff out even the tiniest leaks.

Once a root finds its way in, it sends a hair-thin tendril through the crack… and then? It grows. Fast.

We’ve pulled roots the size of baseball bats out of drains in Scarborough homes — and you’d never guess something like that was hiding below ground.

As they grow, these roots create a dense, spongey mass that traps everything: grease, paper, food waste, and more. Before you know it, water can’t flow. You’ve got a full-on backup — and possibly a pipe collapse.

Why You Can’t Just Snake It

Snaking might punch a hole through the clog, but it won’t clear the roots. In fact, most DIY tools just shave off the tips — and the roots grow back even stronger.

At UPR, we do it differently. If we suspect root intrusion, we start with a drain camera inspection to confirm it. Then we clear the line completely using:

• Mechanical root cutters

• Hydro jetting (when safe)

• Root-killing foams

• And if needed — trenchless pipe repair or full replacements

Once cleared, we’ll help prevent it from happening again. That means guiding you on landscaping, pipe replacement options, or even installing a backwater valve if the roots are near the city connection.

Scarborough Homeowners: Watch for the Signs

• Slow drains across the house

• Gurgling toilets

• Frequent clogs that come back fast

• Wet patches on your lawn near the pipe path

If you see these signs — don’t wait for a flood. Roots don’t stop growing.

Call 647-833-6743

Contact UPR

When roots invade, don’t delay — we’ll cut them out the UPR way.
Serving Scarborough & the GTA with expert drain repair and root removal.