Spring is a season of renewal—but it can also spell trouble for your home’s plumbing system, especially if tree roots are involved. At Hahn Plumbing – Heating – AC, we often get calls this time of year for sewer line repair in Fort Collins due to root intrusions. As trees wake up and begin their seasonal growth spurt, their roots instinctively seek out moisture, and your underground sewer lines are prime real estate.

Let’s break down how tree roots cause spring sewer line problems, the signs to watch for, and how you can prevent major damage before it starts.

Table of Contents

Why Spring Triggers Sewer Line Problems

During the winter, tree roots go dormant, but once spring arrives, they begin aggressively growing and searching for water. Unfortunately, your sewer line often becomes a target. Small cracks or joints in older pipes leak moisture, which attracts roots. Once roots find even the tiniest entry point, they’ll squeeze in and grow—eventually blocking the pipe or causing a full collapse.

This leads to some of the most common spring plumbing issues caused by tree roots, including:

Frequent clogs or backups
Slow-draining sinks or tubs
Gurgling toilets
Sewage odors near drains or in the yard

If you’re noticing any of these issues, it’s time to schedule a sewer line inspection with our team at Hahn.

How to Know if Tree Roots Are in Your Sewer Line

The tricky thing about sewer line blockages is that they don’t always start with obvious symptoms. Many Fort Collins homeowners don’t realize there’s a problem until it’s already caused significant damage. So, how do you know if tree roots are in your sewer line?

Here are some clear signs of tree roots in sewer pipes:

Recurring backups: If your drains keep clogging, especially in multiple areas of the home, roots might be the culprit.
Soggy patches in the yard: These can signal a broken or leaking sewer line underground.
Bad smells: Persistent sewer odors inside or outside your home are a major red flag.
Slow drainage: If water is taking longer than usual to go down, it may be due to root blockage in the line.

If any of these issues sound familiar, call Hahn right away for a thorough sewer line inspection — the kind Fort Collins homeowners can count on.

Preventing Sewer Line Damage from Roots

We believe that prevention is just as important as repair. While you can’t stop roots from growing, you can take proactive steps to protect your plumbing:

Know where your sewer line runs: Avoid planting trees or large shrubs near your sewer line.
Schedule regular inspections: An annual camera inspection can detect early signs of root intrusion before things get worse.
Consider root barriers: If tree removal isn’t an option, root barriers can redirect roots away from the pipe.
Use safe root control treatments: Our team can apply eco-friendly root treatments that inhibit growth without harming your trees or landscaping.

Don’t wait until you need emergency sewer line repair —a little planning goes a long way in preventing sewer line damage from roots.

Why Choose Hahn Plumbing – Heating – AC

When it comes to plumbing services in Fort Collins, our expert technicians are trained to diagnose and repair sewer line problems quickly and efficiently. Whether you’re dealing with a stubborn sewer line blockage or simply want peace of mind with a routine inspection, we’re here to help.

We combine cutting-edge tools with decades of experience to get to the root of the problem—literally. Our camera inspection technology lets us see exactly what’s going on underground without digging up your yard unnecessarily. If repair is needed, we’ll walk you through all your options and provide honest, affordable solutions.

Don’t Let Spring Sewer Line Issues Sneak Up on You

Spring is the perfect time to give your plumbing a checkup. Whether you’re noticing slow drains, bad smells, or strange gurgling noises, these could all be signs of tree roots in your sewer pipes. Addressing issues early means fewer headaches (and expenses) down the line.

Need help? Call Hahn Plumbing – Heating – AC today for expert plumbing services Fort Collins residents trust. We’re your local specialists for sewer line repair, inspections, and root-related blockages—and we’re ready to keep your pipes clear all season long.