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24/7 emergency service

Rooter Service in North Jersey

Rooter service means cutting tree roots and hard blockages out of a drain or sewer line with a powered cable machine and a cutting head sized to the pipe. On the tree-lined streets of Montclair, Bloomfield, Maplewood and most older North Jersey towns, roots find their way into clay sewer joints and cast iron cracks, and once a year or so they grow thick enough to stop the line. Master's Plumbing clears them, then shows you on camera why they got in.
Section of old corroded sewer pipe removed from a North Jersey home, showing root and scale damage

A rooter call from us is not just a cable through the line and a wave goodbye. Our technicians are licensed plumbers who can tell you whether the roots are a maintenance item or the first sign of a lateral that needs repair.

Signs roots are in your sewer line

  • A main-line backup that happens every year around the same season
  • Toilets that gurgle when the washer or tub drains
  • Slow drains throughout the house that improve briefly after a rain, then get worse
  • Mature trees in the front yard or the strip between the sidewalk and street
  • Sewer smell in the basement or near the cleanout
  • A camera inspection showing hair-like roots or a solid root mass at a joint
  • Previous rooter visits that keep getting closer together

Rooter services we provide

  • Main line root cutting

    A heavy-duty cable machine with a root-cutting blade sized to the pipe clears the lateral from the cleanout to the main. We run it until the cutter passes cleanly through the full length.

  • Branch line and floor drain rootering

    Roots also get into basement floor drains and yard drains through cracked tile. We clear them with a smaller machine appropriate to the pipe.

  • Camera inspection after cutting

    Once the line is open we run a camera to locate the root entry points and check for cracks, offsets and bellies the roots were hiding.

  • Hydro jetting for heavy root masses

    When a cable only bores a hole through a dense root ball, we switch to a root-cutting jetter nozzle to shear the mass off the pipe wall.

  • Cleanout installation

    If your home has no exterior cleanout, we install one so future rooter visits happen in the yard instead of your basement.

  • Repair of the entry point

    A spot repair or liner on the cracked joint that lets the roots in. It costs more than one rooter visit and less than ten of them.

What happens on a rooter call

  1. 1

    Locate the access point

    We find the cleanout, or the best access if there is none, and confirm where the blockage is by which fixtures are affected.

  2. 2

    Firm price, then cut

    You approve the by-the-job price, then we run the cable with a cutter matched to the pipe size and material.

  3. 3

    Verify flow, then camera

    We run water at full flow, then send the camera through so you can see the cleared line and where the roots came in.

  4. 4

    Plan for next time

    We tell you honestly whether to schedule annual rooter service or fix the joint so you stop needing it.

Why Master’s Plumbing

Why call Master's Plumbing for rooter service

  • Licensed plumbers who can repair the pipe, not just clear it
  • Camera inspection so you know the cause, not just the symptom
  • 24/7 response for backups
  • Upfront by-the-job pricing
  • Annual root maintenance scheduling for homes on tree-lined streets

Rooter Service across North Jersey

Master’s Plumbing is based in Roselle and provides rooter service throughout Union County, Essex County, Bergen County, Passaic County, Hudson County, Morris County. Not sure if we cover your town? Call and ask, or check the full service area.

24/7 emergency line

Rooter Service emergency?

Call Master's Plumbing 24/7. A licensed technician will be dispatched with the price quoted before work starts.

Reviews

What customers say about our rooter service work

Real customers, real jobs across North Jersey.

4.8121 Google reviews
  • “I highly recommend Master's Plumbing! They provided outstanding service from start to finish. The technician was professional, quickly identified the issue, and fixed it efficiently. It's great knowing they offer 24/7 service, and they even honored the 10% discount on repairs mentioned on their card. I will absolutely use them again for any future plumbing needs in NJ.”
    Fares DwekatEmergency plumbing · via Google
  • “5 stars all around. Came out as quickly as possible and it was late night. Great customer service. And fixed my issue with tips for the future so that I can maintain my plumbing. Thanks!”
    Deva MedleyEmergency plumbing · via Google
  • “If you need work done and don't want to waste money on the same repair call Moe. Truly wished I found the company sooner, it would've saved me a lot of headache and expenses. When I called and explained my situation, without seeing the repair he already knew what needed to be done. He visited the same day and shortly after fixed a damaged pipe that could've taken out the lower half of my home. On site, Moe thoroughly explained the repairs needed at a reasonable cost. Polite, professional and truly knowledgeable.”
    Jennifer AndrePipe repair · via Google
  • “Master's was a godsend. We called late at night when our basement started flooding out of nowhere and Moe immediately came over. He was able to fix our issue and walked us through what caused it, what to expect, how to handle it if it happens again, and long term fix options. He was outstanding and I highly recommend Moe and Master's!”
    Kat SmithBasement flooding · via Google
  • “Masters Plumbing did a great job fixing my leaky drain in my kitchen sink and fixed the incorrect piping underneath. They were able to come out and do the job very quickly. Moe was very professional and courteous. Would use them again for any future issues!”
    Christian LaemmerhirtDrain repair · via Google
  • “Moe was absolutely amazing! I called Master's around 8:30 am and they arrived at the house by 9 am to fix a leaking pipe. Work was fast and well done. Super service and great price! Would definitely call again.”
    Chelsea HakenLeak repair · via Google

FAQ

Rooter Service questions, answered

How do tree roots get into a sewer pipe?
Roots follow moisture. A clay sewer lateral has a joint every few feet, and as the mortar or gasket ages, a hairline gap opens. Roots find the vapor coming out, push in, and grow. Once inside they have water and nutrients and expand until they fill the pipe.
How often will I need rooter service?
It depends on the tree species, the pipe and the size of the gap. Some homes go years between visits. Others need it every spring. If the interval keeps shrinking, the entry point is getting bigger and it is time to talk about repairing it.
Do root-killing chemicals work?
Copper sulfate and foaming root killers can slow regrowth in a line that has just been cleared, but they do not remove the roots already there and they do nothing about the gap in the pipe. Some towns restrict their use. Ask us before pouring anything down the cleanout.
Should I cut down the tree?
Usually not. The tree is not the problem; the open joint is. Fix the joint and the roots stop coming in. Removing a mature street tree is often a township decision anyway.

Master’s Plumbing

Need help right now?

Call Master's Plumbing any time. For non-emergency work, schedule online and we will confirm your appointment.

862-666-2155

Open 24 hours, 7 days a week · NJ Master Plumber Lic. #XXXXXXXX4200

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