An Everett home with repeat backups every spring. The camera told the whole story in about ninety seconds: roots.
What the camera found
The original clay line had loose joints every few feet, and a maple in the parking strip had threaded fine roots into each one — a classic root mat blooming every wet season.
The clear-out
- Mechanically cut the roots back to the pipe wall
- Camera-confirmed the line was intact, not collapsed
- Mapped the worst joints for the homeowner
The honest recommendation
Clay with active roots will come back. We laid out the choice plainly: keep clearing it on a schedule, or line it once and be done. No pressure — just the footage and the numbers.
Pro Tip
Roots always come back. After cutting, a yearly camera check — or a liner — is far cheaper than the next 2 a.m. backup.