Service · Calgary

Tree roots are drawn to the moisture in sewer lines and can enter through small joints or cracks. Our mechanical cutting equipment removes root intrusions and restores flow, and a follow-up camera check helps confirm the line condition.

  • Restored flow without excavation
  • Insight into pipe condition
  • Practical maintenance planning
(587) 707-3551

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Service: Mechanical Root Cutting

Prefer to talk? (587) 707-3551

Overview

Tree roots are drawn to the warmth and moisture of a sewer line and enter through tiny gaps at joints. Once inside, they grow into a net that catches paper and waste until the line blocks.

Mechanical root cutting uses a powered cable with rotating blades sized to the pipe to cut roots back to the pipe wall and restore flow — without digging up your yard.

Mechanical Root Cutting

No clear, no clearing charge

On eligible standard blockages.

Spot Problems Early

Problems build up gradually. Watch for these warning signs before a small issue becomes a backup.

Seasonal blockages

Problems that return every spring or fall.

Slow whole-house drainage

Every fixture drains slower than it should.

Gurgling toilets

Air trapped behind a root mass.

Mature trees nearby

Poplars, willows and elms are common culprits in Calgary.

Roots seen on camera

A past inspection showed intrusion at joints.

Floor drain backups

Water rising when laundry or showers run.

Root Causes

Understanding the cause is how we stop a problem from coming back — not just clear it for today.

01

Clay & concrete joints

Older pipe materials have many joints roots can enter.

02

Cracked pipe

Ground movement opens cracks that roots exploit.

03

Shallow lines

Lines near the surface sit right in the root zone.

04

Large nearby trees

Root systems spread far beyond the canopy.

What We Offer

Main sewer root cutting

Roots cut back to the pipe wall from cleanout to city side.

Camera follow-up

Inspection after cutting to confirm the result and pipe condition.

Root location & depth

Intrusion points located from above ground for targeted repairs.

Hydro-jet finishing

Fine root hairs flushed out after cutting where suitable.

Maintenance scheduling

A cutting interval that keeps roots from fully blocking the line.

Repair recommendations

Honest advice on when repair makes more sense than repeat cutting.

Why PlusFlow

Honest diagnosis, the right equipment and clear pricing — for homes and businesses across Calgary and area.

See Pricing
  • Calgary-focused team

    We know local soil, older city laterals and how spring melt and winter frost affect lines here.

  • Diagnose before we recommend

    Camera verification is available on most jobs, so recommendations are based on what's actually in the pipe.

  • Clear starting prices

    Standard services have published starting prices, and extra time is only added with your approval.

  • Keep your trees

    Most properties can keep mature trees with the right maintenance plan.

Our Process

Tree roots are drawn to the moisture in sewer lines and can enter through small joints or cracks. Our mechanical cutting equipment removes root intrusions and restores flow, and a follow-up camera check helps confirm the line condition.

01

Locate

We identify where roots are entering the line.

02

Cut

Rotating cutting heads remove roots back to the pipe wall.

03

Advise

We recommend a maintenance interval or repair options based on what we find.

Mechanical Root Cutting

What's Included

Clear assessment

We confirm the problem before recommending work.

Professional equipment

Tools matched to your pipe size, material and condition.

Plain-language summary

You'll know what we found, what we did and what's next.

Respect for your property

Protective care inside, and a clean work area when we leave.

Gallery

Root intrusions
01

Root intrusions

Roots entering through joints and cracks.

Cutting heads
02

Cutting heads

Mechanical cutters restore the pipe diameter.

Verified on camera
03

Verified on camera

We show you the line after cutting.

Mature neighbourhoods
04

Mature neighbourhoods

Keep your trees and a working sewer.

Maintenance intervals
05

Maintenance intervals

A schedule that suits your line.

After
Before
BeforeAfter

Before / After

Roots work into joints and catch debris. Cutting restores the pipe opening, and a camera confirms the result.

  • Roots cut back to the wall
  • Camera verification
  • Entry points identified
  • Follow-up schedule
Book a Service

Our Process

1

Request a Service

Tell us about your drainage issue or maintenance needs.

2

Inspect & Diagnose

We assess the problem using camera inspection equipment.

3

Recommend a Solution

We explain the findings and the right approach.

4

Complete the Service

We do the work carefully and leave the site clean.

Recent Work

Main Line Camera Inspection
01

Main Line Camera Inspection

Pre-purchase inspection of an older home's sewer lateral to document pipe condition before closing.

Restaurant Line Jetting
02

Restaurant Line Jetting

Hydro-jetting of grease-laden kitchen lines, followed by a recommended maintenance interval.

Root Intrusion Removal
03

Root Intrusion Removal

Mechanical root cutting on a line in an established neighbourhood with mature trees.

Parking Lot Catch Basins
04

Parking Lot Catch Basins

Cleaning sediment and debris from catch basins ahead of the spring melt.

Facility Maintenance Program
05

Facility Maintenance Program

Scheduled drain cleaning and inspection program planned around operating hours.

Basement Floor Drain Backup
06

Basement Floor Drain Backup

Clearing a floor drain backup and verifying the line with a camera afterward.

Customer Reviews

Excellent

5.0 · based on 14 reviews

J

Jason M.

Oct 21, 2026

Our basement floor drain backed up on a Sunday. PlusFlow called back quickly, cleared the line and showed us on camera what caused it. Clear explanation, no pressure, and they left everything clean.

Drain Cleaning
P

Priya S.

Oct 8, 2026

We booked a sewer scope before buying an older home in Bowness. The technician walked us through the footage and gave us a written summary. It helped us negotiate with confidence.

CCTV Inspection
D

Derek L.

Sep 27, 2026

Our restaurant kitchen lines kept clogging with grease. They hydro-jetted the lines after hours so we didn't lose a service, and set us up on a regular schedule. No problems since.

Hydro-Jetting
M

Melissa T.

Sep 12, 2026

Big old poplar in the front yard and slow drains every fall. They cut the roots, ran a camera after, and recommended a maintenance interval. Friendly and on time.

Root Cutting
A

Ahmed R.

Aug 30, 2026

We manage a condo complex in the NE and had pooling at two catch basins. PlusFlow cleaned and inspected them, sent photos and a short report for our board. Very professional.

Storm Drainage
K

Karen W.

Aug 14, 2026

Gurgling toilet and a slow tub. The tech explained the difference between snaking and jetting and recommended the simpler fix. Honest advice — I'll call them again.

Drain Cleaning
T

Tom B.

Jul 29, 2026

We run a small warehouse in Foothills. They put together a maintenance plan around our shifts and keep proper service records. Exactly what our insurer asked for.

Commercial Maintenance
S

Sandra K.

Jul 10, 2026

Before our basement development we had the line inspected. They found an offset joint we never would have known about. Great communication from booking to the final report.

CCTV Inspection
B

Brian H.

Jun 24, 2026

Water came up through the basement floor drain every time the washer ran. They cleared the main line, ran the camera to the city connection and showed us a root spot to keep an eye on. Straightforward and tidy.

Main Sewer Line Cleaning
L

Leah G.

Jun 9, 2026

Toilet overflowing on a weekday evening with family coming over. I called, they told me what to shut off and were at the door that evening. Line cleared and the price matched what I was told on the phone.

Emergency Service
R

Raj P.

May 28, 2026

We needed the sewer line marked before building a garage. They traced it with the camera and locator and painted the route and depth on the lawn. Our contractor knew exactly where not to dig.

Pipe Locating
N

Nicole D.

May 11, 2026

Kitchen sink kept clogging no matter how often it was snaked. Jetting cleared years of grease out of the line and it has drained perfectly since. They explained everything without the upsell.

Kitchen Hydro-Jetting
S

Steve O.

Apr 26, 2026

Sewer scope on a 1960s bungalow before we made our offer. The written report was clear, with distances and photos of a belly in the line. Worth every dollar for the peace of mind.

Homebuyer Inspection
G

Grace L.

Apr 3, 2026

We manage three small retail plazas. PlusFlow set up one schedule for all three sites with catch basin cleaning before spring melt. Reports come in after every visit — makes our job easy.

Commercial Maintenance

FAQ

Answers to what customers ask us most about this service.

Book This Service

Roots can return over time, especially through damaged joints. We recommend a maintenance interval and discuss longer-term repair options when appropriate.

Not usually. Regular root cutting and, where needed, repairing the entry point lets you keep mature trees and a working sewer line.

A camera inspection shows the location and depth of root intrusions so cutting and any repairs are targeted.

Areas We Cover

Our crews travel across every Calgary quadrant and into nearby communities. Explore the map to see where we work.

  • CalgaryAll quadrants — NW, NE, SW, SE & Downtown
  • AirdrieNorth of Calgary
  • CochraneWest of Calgary
  • ChestermereEast of Calgary
  • OkotoksSouth of Calgary
  • StrathmoreEast along Hwy 1
View All Service Areas

Need Professional Sewer & Drain Solutions?

Whether it's a blocked drain, a sewer inspection or ongoing maintenance, PlusFlow is ready to help.

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