Most homes built before 1980 in neighborhoods like Irvington, Butler-Tarkington, and Meridian-Kessler have clay tile sewer laterals. These pipes were installed in short sections with bell-and-spigot joints that separate as soil shifts. Indianapolis sits on glacial till with pockets of expansive clay that swells when wet and shrinks during drought. This constant movement cracks rigid clay pipes. Winter freeze-thaw cycles accelerate the deterioration. Once a crack forms, tree roots detect the moisture and nutrient-rich environment inside the sewer line and grow directly into the pipe. Within two years, a hairline crack becomes a dense root mass that traps toilet paper and grease until the line backs up completely.
Indianapolis updated its plumbing code in 1995 to require PVC sewer laterals for new construction, but thousands of homes still rely on original clay lines. Citizens Energy Group maintains the main sewer under the street but homeowners are responsible for the lateral line from the house to the city tap. Many property owners discover this during their first major backup. We work extensively in Indianapolis's older neighborhoods and understand the unique challenges of clay pipe systems. Our camera inspections identify problem areas before they fail, and our hydro jetting services clear root intrusions without damaging fragile clay tiles.