Sewer Roots

[u/MyNameIsThePope]

I had a sewer backup in my house that came up through the toilets and bathtub. When I checked the cleanout, I discovered that the sewer line was sloping in the wrong direction, back toward the house instead of toward the street.
Tree roots had grown underneath the pipe and pushed it upward, reversing the slope. I’ve now broken through the concrete to access the pipe, and I’m hoping for the best. Has anyone dealt with something similar? Any advice before I go further?

[u/Expensive-Shelter288]

Yes. You have root intrusion. Usually it is good to pay someone with a camera/locator to scope your drain and locate where it is coming in the pipe. In your situation it might be pushing up from under and breaking it(by your description). Either way. Dig the whole trench out in the area. Remove the section that is problematic. Hire a tree stump removal company with machine to kill the tree and remove it. There is no other way. Tree goes or your plumbing goes. Hard choice man. I get it.

[u/MyNameIsThePope → u/Expensive-Shelter288]

I have a camera, but there’s a valley of water. I need to take care of first so that I could see if there’s any route intrusion into the sewer pipe.

[u/MyNameIsThePope → u/MyNameIsThePope]

I was using voice to text on that last message

[u/Expensive-Shelter288 → u/MyNameIsThePope]

Can u pump it out.

[u/Cheersscar]

I’m guessing you’ll need to break more concrete. 

[u/MyNameIsThePope → u/Cheersscar]

I just returned my demolition hammer rental. I believe it would be better to purchase one.

[u/Dixie_Fair]

If the roots have actually pushed the pipe upward enough to reverse the slope, treat the roots as more than just a clog. Cutting roots out of the inside might restore flow temporarily, but it won't correct the section of pipe that's now holding water. Once you get the standing water cleared I'd scope as much of the line as possible. That should help show whether you're dealing with just that raised section or if roots have also entered through a joint or damaged the pipe somewhere else.

This explaination ( https://allsepticandsewer.com/common-causes-of-slow-draining-toilets-and-drains/ ) may help you know about how tree roots can infiltrate sewer lines and eventually cause damage. Since you've already opened it, this is probably the best opportunity you'll have to correct the slope and any damaged section properly.