How to clear tree roots from drains

Tree roots! They can be your hidden nightmare when it comes to your underground pipes, drains and sewer lines. They’re strong and they’re relentless. If they sense even the slightest bit of moisture in the ground they’ll head straight for it and sometimes that moisture can be coming from the smallest of cracks in your underground pipes. Yeeps! 

Once tree roots are inside any pipe they’ll take over and in most cases by the time you’ve realise you have a blocked drain or pipe on your hands, the tree roots have overtaken and it’s time for some serious work.

The first sign of tree roots in your drain

A slow drain is usually the first sign of something causing a blockage in drains. In the first instance you’ll probably try to unblock the drain yourself with some sort of store bought concoction and we won’t blame you for trying. But, you’ll quickly realise and perhaps is the reason you’re here reading our blog, by the time you’re at this point, it’s usually too late! 

Right now you’ve probably got an issue like our client above and the tree roots have been making a new comfortable home for themselves for some time now and they’ve completely blocked the drain or pipe. 

You may also be experiencing murky or brown water backing up in your drains or perhaps even backflow. These are all signs you have a blockage somewhere along your pipe or sewer line. 

So, how do we clear tree roots from pipes, drains or sewer lines

First of all you’ll need a licensed and experienced plumber with the right tools and equipment to inspect and remove the blockage and in this case, we’re your team!

We’ll use our CCTV Camera to get a good look at what’s going on inside your pipe, drain or sewer. We’ll be checking for cracks, leaks and blockages at this point to try and get a thorough understanding of what could be causing the issue.

The next step is to use our High Pressure Water Jetter to clear the blockage and then ensure the pipe is clean. 

How does the High Pressure Water Jetter work to remove tree roots?

It uses a motorised pump that blasts water from the nozzle at a high pressure that will break through the most stubborn debris in your pipes including tree roots, flushable wipes (that aren’t so flushable), build up of paper, food, oils and grease. 

The High Pressure Water Jetter can be fitted with different sized nozzles to suit the size of your pipe and for the type of blockage you’re experiencing. 

Using a High Pressure Water Jetter is an efficient and safe way of giving the insides of your pipes a 360 degree clean and quickly removing any build up. 

Is using a High Pressure Water Jetter safe for the pipe or drain?

Due to the nature of the high pressure water blasting through stubborn debris there can be some risk of damage to the pipes. This is why it is important to have your pipe or sewer cleaning carried out by only qualified drainage experts. Our team are trained drainage specialists so you know you’re in good hands when you give us a call.

What happens if the pipe is leaking or cracked?

Once the tree roots or other matter are cleared with the High Pressure Water Jetter we will inspect the pipe again using our CCTV Camera to ensure the integrity of the pipe is intact. 

If the pipe is cracked, which is usually the case if tree roots are causing the blockage, we’ll see it on the screen and we’ll then use our specialised Pipe Relining equipment to repair the crack. Pipe relining is the most cost efficient and fastest way for repairing cracked or broken pipes and can save you thousands of dollars as it is trenchless and does not require us to dig up the surrounding environment. You can find out more about this here.

How to prevent tree roots in your drains?

Regular inspections and maintenance of your pipes using our CCTV Camera is the most effective way of ensuring tree roots are not destroying your pipes, drains or sewer. If you have any trees or shrubs surrounding your pipes, drains or sewer lines then give us a call on 0448 004 183 to book in for a CCTV Camera inspection.

Do we undertake a comprehensive site inspection and provide a quote before commencing any work?

Of course! If you’re located in Greater Sydney we provide an obligation free onsite inspection and quotation for your approval, before commencing any pipe relining work. If you’re located outside of Sydney then just give us a call on 0448 004 183.

Over to you…

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Do you need help with a broken or cracked pipe at your home?

Give us a call on 0448 004 183 or click here to send us a message.