{"id":861,"date":"2021-06-30T17:11:55","date_gmt":"2021-06-30T21:11:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.selecthomewarranty.com\/blog\/?p=861"},"modified":"2026-07-16T02:58:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T06:58:25","slug":"tree-roots-sewer-lines-drain-pipes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.selecthomewarranty.com\/blog\/tree-roots-sewer-lines-drain-pipes\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prevent Tree Roots in Sewer Lines & Drain Pipes"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Trees and natural growth provide wonderfully aesthetic benefits to the home, but can also severely damage your property if not carefully plotted.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Select Home Warranty<\/a> offers coverage to repair or replace major home systems, including plumbing and septic systems. But when it comes to damage caused by roots, coverage unfortunately does not apply. Tree roots, vines and overgrowth are preventable, and homeowners must take the necessary steps to avert this damage.<\/p>\r\n

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Do you have questions about your home warranty coverage? Call us today: 800-670-8931<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n

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Who is responsible for tree roots in sewer lines?<\/h2>\r\n

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The owner of the tree is typically responsible for damage caused by root growth.<\/p>\r\n

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Are tree roots in sewer lines covered by insurance?<\/h3>\r\n

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Root damage is not covered by homeowners insurance or home warranty coverage.<\/p>\r\n

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How do I get tree roots out of drain pipes?<\/h3>\r\n

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You may be able to destroy root growth without killing the tree through methods such as rock salt mixtures flushed through your pipes. Note that copper sulfate is commonly recommended, but not safe for septic systems.<\/p>\r\n

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How to Prevent Tree Roots in Home Plumbing<\/h3>\r\n

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Tree roots can be disastrous to a home\u2019s plumbing and septic systems. Removal for tree roots in your sewer line can run up to $600<\/a> with additional costs to monitor regrowth. It\u2019s important to prevent this damage in the following five ways.<\/p>\r\n

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1. When purchasing a property, consider surveying the vegetation on your property before purchasing. <\/strong>Plan ahead for where exactly new trees could be planted and remove trees early if they appear to be in a damaging location. Ask the previous homeowner about root damage and carefully consider how this has damaged the property in the past.<\/p>\r\n

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2. Expect roots to extend as far as the tree is tall. <\/strong>Learn about the expected height of the trees on your property for when they reach full maturity. Here is a quick list of the five most common trees in the United States and their maximum height:<\/p>\r\n

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