A toilet seems like the last place where tree roots should be found, but it makes sense when you break it down.  When a tree needs oxygen and water to stay alive, it is able to get through pretty much anything in order to find it.  This means that if there is even the smallest gap, crack or breakdown in the sewer line pipe, tree roots are going to be able to penetrate it.  What the roots find inside is plenty of water, so the tree will continue to grow and spread its roots to survive.

As the roots grow and get bigger, more damage will be caused to the pipe, so it’s important that you start to notice the symptoms of tree roots in your system before the damage gets too severe.

Here are some of the warning signs that there might be tree roots in your sewer line:

• Water draining slowly out of the toilet, indicating that something is blocking the toilet
• Gurgling sounds when you flush, suggesting that water is moving through the drain slowly and air bubbles are forming
• Water backing up when you flush, indicating that the blockage has become critical

Ignoring these signs means the issue is going to become worse, and this can lead to structural issues for the entire building if left for too long.  If you begin to see these issues arising, it is important to repair your sewer line as soon as possible.

So how do you go about fixing this problem?  Here are the steps you can take:

1. Call a professional to fix the issue.  This is the best and most recommended way to handle something like tree roots in a sewer line. It will save you a lot of time and worrying about the issue knowing it’s in the best hands, as well as knowing that the problem will be truly solved.  Plumbers have the tools to carry out camera inspections and fix the cause of the issue.  Although the upfront cost of this might be more, it is likely to save you a lot of money in the long run if the issue were to get worse.
2. Use a root killer.  This can work to dissolve roots that are in the pipes and help to prevent them from growing back.  It comes in the form of a powder which you pour into your toilet and flush down, where it turns into foam that kils the roots.  This can be done up to once a month to tackle the issue.
3. Finally, you can try other home remedies such as rock salt or copper sulfate. Which can be effective in killing tree roots, but does not offer the same guarantee as a professional.

Overall, the best thing that you can do if you want to tackle this issue properly and for good is to hire a plumber to do the work.  This will save you time and money in the long run and ensure the safety of the property as a whole.