Why roots get in
Vitrified clay went into the ground a metre or so at a time, sealed with mortar or primitive gaskets. Over decades, those joints loosen, and the warm, nutrient-rich vapour escaping from them draws fine roots from maples, willows and silver maples planted along older Markham streets. Cast iron pipe has longer sections but its lead-and-oakum joints can loosen too.
Newer subdivisions built with PVC laterals are far less prone to root trouble, though a poorly glued joint or a pipe crushed during landscaping can still let roots in.
Cutting the roots out
- We open the basement cleanout and run a sectional cable machine fitted with a root-cutting blade sized to the pipe.
- The blade is fed slowly through each joint, cutting the root mass and pulling pieces back.
- We follow with a larger blade to clean closer to the pipe wall.
- A camera pass confirms the line is open and shows the condition of each joint.
Cutting is not a cure; roots regrow from the stubs left in the joint. The interval depends on the tree, the season and how open the joint is, which is why the camera footage matters so much.
Riding along on the truck
- Sectional sewer machine with root-cutting blades.
- Push camera with a locating sonde.
- Cleanout plug wrench and spare test-plug.
- Tarps for the basement floor around the cleanout.
- Wet vacuum for any standing backup water.
Longer-term repairs
| Option | Suited to |
|---|---|
| Scheduled root cutting | Light intrusion at one or two joints |
| Spot excavation and repair | A single broken or badly offset section |
| Full lateral replacement | Clay or cast iron failing along its length |
Excavation near trees, driveways and the property line requires planning. Locates for buried utilities must be requested through Ontario One Call before any digging, and work near the municipal connection may involve the City of Markham. We explain each step so nothing surprises you.
Living with an older lateral
Many homeowners in older wards keep a line working for years with cutting every so often. Sluggish drains in August and September are the usual tell. A backwater valve is still worth considering, and our sewer backup signs guide explains the early warnings.
Markham note: village-core houses tend to hide cast iron and galvanized behind plaster, while Cornell and Box Grove builds run PEX to a manifold. We ask the year your house was built so the right fittings ride along on the truck.
Straight from the phone log
What about root-killer foams?
They may slow regrowth a little, yet they cannot clear an established mass; the blade does that.
Is the city responsible for roots in my pipe?
It usually turns on where the defect lies relative to your lot line, so ask the City of Markham how its current policy applies to your street.
Ready to get it fixed?
One call, a clear explanation, and work finished tidily before we leave.