Tree Root Removal

Roots find the joints. Cutting them buys time.

Roots grow toward the moisture and nutrients leaking from small gaps in older sewer joints. Once inside, they catch paper and grease until the line chokes. Mechanical cutting restores flow, but it does not seal the joint the roots came through.

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Signs

When this applies to you

Slow drains that get gradually worse over months
Backups that return about once a year
Gurgling from the floor drain
Large trees between the house and the street
Older clay tile lateral

First steps

What to do before anyone arrives

01Limit water use until the line is cleared.
02Note where large trees sit relative to the sewer path.
03Ask for a camera inspection after cutting to see joint condition.

Methods

How the work is typically done

Cut

A rotating cutting head clears roots back to the pipe wall.

Inspect

A camera run shows how many joints are affected and whether pipe is cracked.

Decide

Scheduled maintenance, spot repair, lining, or replacement — depending on what the camera shows.

Cost depends on scope

What moves the price

Number of joints with intrusion
Density and size of the root mass
Access to a cleanout
Whether a follow-up camera inspection is included
Whether long-term repair like lining is chosen

This site does not publish fixed prices. Any estimate should be based on an inspection of your line and confirmed in writing by the contractor.

Root cutting restores flow; sealing addresses the opening

A mechanical cutter can remove accessible roots from a lateral, while an appropriate jetting setup can clean remaining deposits. Neither treatment automatically seals the joint or crack that admitted the roots. Ask the contractor to show the post-cleaning condition and explain the likely maintenance interval for your pipe.

A mature street or yard tree is not by itself evidence that the whole lateral needs replacement. Identify the affected joints and whether the host pipe remains structurally usable. Avoid deciding on tree removal or chemical treatment solely from a generic root diagnosis; discuss suitability, pipe condition and local requirements with qualified professionals.

When recurring Metro Detroit roots justify a repair

Older jointed clay pipe can present repeated openings along a run. If a video shows one localized problem, a spot repair or suitable sealing approach may be worth comparing with a full renewal. If repeated offsets, deterioration or a sag are present, a more extensive repair can be necessary.

Compare the real cost and disruption of scheduled clearing against a documented structural solution. Ask what warranty applies to the repaired section and what remains outside the scope. Root-free footage immediately after cutting is useful evidence of cleaning, not a promise that roots cannot return through an unrepaired opening.

Budget planning

Published planning ranges

These are published planning ranges, not Michigan Sewer Pros quotes. Actual local quotes vary with line length, depth, access, permits and restoration.

Basic sewer snakingAngi's Detroit method-specific planning range. Complex roots, access or structural repairs cost more.: $95–$240
Hydro jettingAngi's Detroit cleaning-method range; inspection and pipe repair may be additional.: $340–$580
Camera inspectionAngi's Detroit inspection reference; route length, access and scope affect price.: $195–$1,275+
Line replacementHomeGuide national planning range for about 40 linear feet, not a local fixed quote. Longer, deeper or obstructed projects can exceed this.: $2,000–$10,000
Cured-in-place liningHomeGuide national range. Suitability, preparation, access and minimum job charges affect total cost.: $90–$250 / foot
Pipe burstingHomeGuide national range; utility conflicts, pits, connections and restoration must be scoped.: $60–$200 / foot

Sources: Angi: Detroit sewer-clog and inspection cost data (updated August 2026) · HomeGuide: national sewer repair and replacement cost guide

Good to know: If the camera shows the pipe is broken or collapsed around the roots, cutting alone will not hold.

Tree Root Removal: common questions

Will the roots grow back?

Usually, yes, if the joints are still open. Many homeowners plan on periodic cleaning or move to a sealed solution like lining or replacement.

Do I have to remove the tree?

Not necessarily. Sealing or replacing the affected pipe is often an alternative to removing a tree, and street trees may not be yours to remove anyway.

Are root-killing products effective?

Some products can slow regrowth, but they do not repair joints. Ask a professional before putting chemicals in your line.

Request help

Request help with tree root removal

Two minutes, no sales script. Describe the problem and you get a reference number for your request. Prefer to talk it through?

Call 248-331-7754

No obligation to book anything
Ask for camera footage before any big repair
Pricing depends on scope and is confirmed by the contractor