When a professional says roots

Someone who attended the property said roots were involved.

"It is roots" is a statement by a professional. That makes it worth taking seriously and worth recording accurately — as something you were told, on a date, by a named person, ideally in writing with a location attached.

What this page cannot establish

noticing this establishes that you noticed it — it does not establish a cause
this page cannot establish that the pipe is broken
this page cannot establish that replacement is required
this page cannot establish where roots entered the line
this page cannot establish that roots will or will not return

What a professional will be trying to work out

These are the distinctions a professional makes when they attend. They are questions, not conclusions — and knowing them lets you follow the conversation rather than just receive its result.

what was actually observed, and where along the line
whether it was seen on camera or inferred from what came back on equipment
whether the entry point was identified
whether the observation was recorded anywhere

What is worth writing down

These details are cheap to record now and impossible to reconstruct later.

who said it and on what date
whether it was based on camera footage
any location or distance mentioned

Evidence that would change the next decision

If you are deciding whether something is worth paying for, these are the things that actually move the decision.

camera footage or stills showing what was observed
a distance measurement to the observed location
a written note in an invoice or report
whether the line was inspected after clearing as well as before

What would change the answer

camera footage or stills showing what was observed
a distance measurement to the observed location
a written note in an invoice or report
whether the line was inspected after clearing as well as before

What to do next

A statement recorded at the time, tied to a location, is what lets a second opinion look at the same place.

Ask for the observation in writing, with a location

If your situation is different

You have been quoted for replacement: Repair or replace: the questions that matter
You have camera footage: Review a camera inspection

Root cutting
What root cutting attempts and what it leaves unresolved.
Evidence provenance
A verbal statement and a recorded observation are different kinds of evidence.