Can Hydro Jetting Remove Tree Roots from Sewer Lines? (Cost, Process & When It Works)

Slow drains, gurgling toilets, and sewage backups often point to one underground culprit: tree roots invading your sewer line. Orlando homeowners face this problem frequently because of our mature oak and palm trees, older clay pipes, and sandy soil that makes root intrusion easy. The good news? You may not need full pipe replacement.

This guide explains exactly when hydro jetting can remove tree roots from sewer lines, what the process costs, and when you'll need a different solution. You'll learn how hydro jetting works against roots, realistic cost ranges for Orlando properties, and the three questions to ask before booking service.

Can hydro jetting remove tree roots from sewer lines?

Yes, hydro jetting can remove tree roots from sewer lines, but effectiveness depends on root size and pipe condition. High-pressure water at 3,000 to 4,000 PSI cuts through small to medium roots and flushes them out of the pipe. For best results, hydro jetting should be followed by root-killing treatment to prevent regrowth. However, if roots have caused cracks or collapsed sections, pipe repair or replacement may be needed first. A camera inspection determines whether hydro jetting is appropriate for your situation.

Get a camera inspection to see if hydro jetting will work for your sewer line → schedule your Orlando sewer camera inspection.

How Hydro Jetting Removes Tree Roots (The Process Explained)

We start every tree root job with a sewer camera inspection. The camera travels through your line and shows us exactly where roots are located, how severe the intrusion is, and whether your pipe has cracks or damage. This step tells us if hydro jetting will solve your problem or if you need repair work first.

Hydro jetting equipment uses water pressure between 3,000 and 4,000 PSI. We attach a specialized root-cutting nozzle that sends powerful water jets in multiple directions. The force cuts roots into small pieces while scouring the pipe walls clean. Those root fragments flush through your line into the municipal sewer system.

After we clear the roots, we recommend a root-killing treatment. This foam or crystal treatment coats your pipe interior and prevents regrowth for one to three years. Without this step, roots typically grow back within months because the tree is still seeking water from your sewer line.

Our technicians review the camera footage with you before and after jetting. You'll see the root blockage, watch the cleaning process work, and confirm your line is clear. This transparency helps you understand exactly what we found and what we fixed.

Tree Root Hydro Jetting Cost: What Orlando Homeowners Pay

Orlando homeowners typically pay between $350 and $900 for residential hydro jetting to remove tree roots. Your final cost depends on several factors: your pipe diameter, how severe the root intrusion is, how much of your line needs cleaning, and whether we can easily access your cleanout.

Camera inspection usually costs $150 to $300 if purchased separately. Many plumbers include this in their jetting quote, but always ask upfront. You need the camera footage to know what you're dealing with and to confirm the roots are actually gone after service.

The biggest cost surprise we see in Orlando? Properties with long runs from the house to the street. If your home sits far back from the road, expect prices toward the higher end because we're cleaning more pipe. Clay pipes common in older Winter Park and College Park homes also take longer to clean thoroughly.

When Hydro Jetting Works vs. When You Need Pipe Replacement

Hydro jetting works best when you catch root problems early. Small to medium roots in structurally sound pipes respond well to high-pressure water cleaning. If your drains have slowed down recently or you're seeing your first backup, hydro jetting usually solves the problem.

You'll likely need pipe replacement if you're experiencing recurring backups every few months, visible cracks in your foundation or driveway, or small sinkholes in your yard. These signs mean roots have already damaged your pipe beyond what cleaning can fix.

Tree roots enter through tiny cracks at pipe joints, then grow larger and break the pipe apart. Clay pipes, which many older Orlando homes have, deteriorate faster because roots can break through the material itself. Once a section collapses or develops major cracks, water jetting can't repair that structural damage.

During camera inspection, we look for collapsed sections, bellied pipe where water pools, and severe corrosion that weakens the line. If we find these conditions, we'll show you the footage and explain why replacement is needed. Sometimes you can replace just the damaged section and hydro jet the rest, saving thousands compared to full line replacement.

Good candidates for hydro jetting:

• First or second occurrence of slow drains
• Roots visible on camera but pipe walls intact
• No foundation settling or yard sinkholes
• Preventive cleaning before roots cause backup

Needs pipe repair first:

• Recurring backups despite previous cleaning
• Camera shows cracks, collapse, or severe offset joints
• Soggy spots or sinkholes above sewer line path
• Roots combined with bellied or corroded sections

Not sure if your pipe is a candidate for hydro jetting? Our camera inspection shows you exactly what's happening underground → book your sewer line assessment now.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Tree Root Removal from Sewer Lines?

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover tree root removal from sewer lines. Standard policies exclude gradual damage and maintenance issues, and insurance companies classify root intrusion as both. The roots grew slowly over months or years, which means it's considered preventable maintenance rather than sudden damage.

Your policy might cover root removal in one situation: if a storm knocked down a tree and its roots suddenly damaged your sewer line. This counts as accidental damage tied to a covered event. You'll need documentation showing the tree fell during the storm and directly caused the pipe damage.

Some insurance carriers offer service line coverage as an optional rider. This add-on typically costs $50 to $150 per year and may cover sewer line repairs including root damage. Check your policy or call your agent to see if you have this coverage or can add it.

If you're filing a claim, gather this documentation:

• Camera inspection footage showing root damage
• Photos of any visible yard damage or sinkholes
• Receipts from previous plumbing service calls
• Documentation of the event if storm-related

Most Orlando homeowners pay out of pocket for tree root removal. Plan for the $350 to $900 hydro jetting cost, or higher if your inspection reveals pipe damage needing repair. We provide written estimates after camera inspection so you know your exact cost before we start work.

Hydro Jetting Disadvantages and Risks for Tree Root Removal

Hydro jetting clears blockages but cannot repair damaged pipes. If roots have already cracked your sewer line, the high-pressure water removes the roots but leaves the cracks behind. You'll have a clean pipe that still leaks or allows roots to grow back quickly through the same damaged spots.

Older or fragile pipes face risk from the high water pressure. Clay pipes with existing cracks can worsen during jetting if the pipe is already weak. This is why we always run a camera inspection first. We need to see your pipe's structural condition before deciding if it can handle 3,000 to 4,000 PSI safely.

Hydro jetting provides temporary relief if you don't address the root source. Roots grow back into your sewer line within one to three years even after thorough cleaning. The tree is still seeking water, and your sewer line still has the joints or cracks where roots originally entered. Root-killing treatment extends this timeline, but eventually you'll need service again.

This is not a DIY job. Hydro jetting equipment costs thousands of dollars and requires training to operate safely. Using the wrong nozzle or too much pressure can blow holes in your pipe. You also need to know how to read pipe conditions on camera to avoid causing more damage than you fix.

Camera inspection before jetting protects you from these risks. We assess whether your pipe can handle the pressure, identify sections that need repair instead of cleaning, and create a service plan that actually solves your problem rather than making it worse.

Next Steps: Getting Your Orlando Sewer Line Assessed

Here's your three-step action plan for addressing tree roots in your sewer line:

1. Schedule a camera inspection. We insert a waterproof camera through your cleanout and record the entire journey through your sewer line. You'll see exactly where roots are located, how severe the blockage is, and whether your pipe has damage.
   
   
2. Review the footage with us. We'll show you what the camera found and explain your options. Ask about root-killing treatment to prevent regrowth, what warranty we provide on the work, and whether the estimate includes the camera inspection cost.
   
   
3. Get a written estimate. We'll provide pricing for hydro jetting if your pipe is a good candidate, or repair options if we found structural damage. You'll know your exact cost before we start any work.
   

When you're comparing contractors, ask these questions: Is camera inspection included in your quote? Do you offer root-killing treatment after jetting? What warranty covers the work if roots come back quickly?

Watch for these red flags: contractors who quote prices without inspecting your line first, pressure to replace your entire sewer without showing you camera footage, or reluctance to provide written estimates.

Timing matters for Orlando homeowners. Address root problems before Florida's rainy season when heavy flows can cause backups, or before holiday guests arrive and put extra demand on your plumbing. Roots grow most aggressively in spring and fall when trees are actively seeking water.

During Orlando sewer assessments, we look for the specific trees causing problems, check whether your cleanout location allows easy access, and identify whether sandy soil or settling has created bellied sections where roots concentrate.

Ready to clear tree roots from your sewer line? Contact our Orlando drain jetting specialists for same-day camera inspection and honest recommendations → call (407) 307-1625 or schedule online.