When homeowners suspect they have a blocked sewer line between their home and the main City sewer, they should contact Toronto Water for assistance: 416-338-ROOT (7668). First response to sewer line blockage, inspection and emergency repair service will be provided by City staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week. After normal business hours, response will be limited to emergency situations where the sewer service lines are completely blocked.

Tree roots are opportunistic. While they will not crack a sound sewer service or water line, they will exploit cracks or failures in the lines. The best defense against having tree roots in lines is to make sure that your lines are in good condition and that they're not cracked. If you suspect that tree roots are growing into your sewer line, you can have the roots cut out using a process called "rodding". See similar questions...

The Ordinance does not allow for trees to be removed due to sewer complications. Often trees are blamed for sewer line problems when in actuality the problems associated with tree roots are primarily caused by aging porous clay pipes. Once replaced with new plastic pipes tree roots no longer seek out the pipes as they are non-porous. Violations can be reported to (510) 670-5500. The Public Works Agency's Arborist will inspect the violation and provide a response if requested. See similar questions...

Questions regarding: birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, small claims court, traffic court, jury duty, or property boundries See similar questions...

The City has on-line claim forms by clicking here and is available for anyone who has property damage or personal injury caused by the negligence of the organization. Forms can also be obtained in the Personnel Department in City Hall. The claimant should complete the form, filling in answers to all questions. Copies of any receipts, estimates or paid bills should be attached. A representative from the Personnel Department will make contact with the claimant after receiving this information. See similar questions...

Yes. A permit is required to repair the sewer lateral. A city engineer will inspect the lateral to validate that the work was performed according to code. If you need guidance as to policies or procedures please contact the Engineering and Construction Division at 650-780-7380. See similar questions...

Roots grow toward water vapor or moisture, by a continuous process (hydrotropism) occurring at the very end of the root. The root grows one cell at a time enabling it to enter the small cracks and joints, which may be present in your pipe. After a root enters a pipe, it divides hundreds of times to form a large mass of tender root ends. This root mass will accumulate a thick coating of grease which will collect up on the root mass until a blockage occurs. See similar questions...

The drain must be snaked and cleaned out, and then certain products may be used to prevent roots form growing any further. If it is a major problem, or if your pipes are blocked, they may need to be replaced. See similar questions...

No. In six years of controlled use, there has been no indication of damage caused from the spike or cross member entering the root ball. Any piercing will, at worst, cause the roots to grow around the impediment. See similar questions...

A sewer lateral is the pipe that carries the wastewater from the house to the sanitary sewer main line in the street. Every building receiving sewer service from Redwood City has at least one sewer lateral. See similar questions...

Local hardware stores have a chemical for removing tree roots. This will kill the roots that are in the service line. See similar questions...

If the Inspector determines that a flag's defects are only due to tree roots, and that there are no other non-tree related defects on such flags, then these flags will be replaced at no cost if the City replaces your sidewalk. See similar questions...

Tree roots do not cause drains or sewer pipes to break, but they will invade and clog drains that have pre-existing cracks and resultant leakage. Drains are usually six to eight feet below ground level, while tree roots grow almost exclusively in the upper two feet of soil, because they not only need nutrients, but also oxygen to survive. See similar questions...

The two most common insects that attack spruce trees in Winnipeg are the spruce budworm and the yellow-headed spruce sawfly. Spruce budworm larvae have black heads and greenish-brown bodies that are lighter on the sides. They usually have two rows of whitish spots along the back. They tend to be wasteful feeders. Instead of eating the whole needle, they bite off the needle at the base. The needles are left hanging in a mass of silk. Damaged trees have a characteristic, reddish-brown colour. See similar questions...

Generally no. This is an issue that you must resolve with the owner of the neighbouring land / property. See similar questions...

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If a tree is growing well, a survival mechanism is to explore the soil for supplies of oxygen, nutrients and water. It is our belief that tree roots do not cause sanitary line leaks. However, if a water vapor source or a water leak is available, the tree root will seek the water location as a survival reaction. There is doubt at this point, given an available water vapor source or a leak, that the tree root can make a minor problem significantly worse. See similar questions...

The service lateral is constructed by private owners for private use of their property. It is a private sewer located on private property not serving the community at large and for which the City does not have an executed and recorded easement for the purpose of providing City maintenance. The service lateral is an extension of the house building sewer that connects the building to the City sewer. See similar questions...

If the sewer problem is found to be in the upper sewer lateral (between the building and cleanout at the property line) the property owner can hire a contractor to make repairs or, if equipped, can make repairs themselves. Contractors are listed in the yellow pages of the phone book under "Plumbing Drain & Sewer Cleaning" or "Sewer Contractors". If you plan to hire a contractor, we recommend getting estimates from more than one company. See similar questions...