Blocked drains are one of the biggest callouts plumbers receive. While there are plenty of home remedies to clear the issue, not all of them are safe for your pipes or effective at removing the blockage.
If you have recurring blocked drains you might have to look a lot deeper into your pipe system. One big factor that can continue to be an ongoing issue is when tree roots invade the pipes underground outside your home. When this happens the usual home remedies at the drain inlet won’t be enough to make a difference.
Targeting the exact point of entry can be impossible on your own as the network of pipes and the number of trees that might be responsible can be extensive.
Most likely the last thing you want to do is take down trees. A thriving garden is great for health, the environment and shade for your property but when their roots find their way into your pipes and stop your water or sewage flow, it can seem like an all-out war between you and nature. The situation can get even more complicated if the tree in question belongs to a neighbour, where you don’t have control to remove it.
Luckily there are a number of ways you can clear tree roots from your drain pipes without harming the tree, hedge or bush or having to resort to expensive and disruptive tree removal services.
This article will explain how trees manage to get into your pipes as well as cover some effective methods you can try yourself to clear them that are safe and gentle. We’ll also explain how professional services are on hand to clear tree roots quickly and effectively and get to the heart of the blockage issues using modern technology
Why Do Tree Roots Block Sewers?
It’s not easy for tree roots to enter well-installed and solid underground piping. Unfortunately, if your pipes are older they may have been made with softer materials such as clay or porcelain. This was a common material used prior to and throughout the 1970s.
PVC piping is much stronger and more durable than the old pipe methods, although if the installation was not completed professionally there can still be issues with loose fittings and leaks.
Over time older materials can succumb to pressure, and ground movement and develop tiny fissures. Tree roots searching for water can be as fine as hairs, meaning the smallest opening can be enough for them to gain entry. At first tree root invasions are easily overlooked as the symptoms are very slight but once inside your pipes they have unlimited access to water and nutrients that will rapidly see them grow into thick cables and strong roots that can form a complete obstruction.
Signs of Roots in Drain Pipes
There are a number of signs you can look out for to help you identify tree root blockage.
It is important you act at the first sign of trouble as well as make sure you have your pipes checked for damage. Underground leaks can be hard to spot so knowing your pipes are intact and secure is best done from the inside using specialized cameras.
Modern plumbing technology allows minor damage to pipes to be repaired with pipe relining adhesive without having to dig and replace pipes. The sooner you catch the problem the faster, cheaper and easier it is to fix.
Slow or Gurgling Drains
When water drains slowly from your bathtub, sink or toilet or there are loud, gurgling noises it’s a good indication you have some kind of blockage. While this can be a local blockage just inside the drain entrance or pipe bends, it can also be a symptom that there are tree roots further into your pipes as well.
Toilet Frequently Backs Up
If you find your toilet water is regularly filling the bowl before emptying - or worse, overflowing when flushed it’s best to call a professional to locate the exact trouble point and suggest solutions.
Strong Odours
Blockages anywhere in your pipes cause water to pool and become stagnant, allowing bacteria to grow. This will result in a strong odour that is foul and usually smells rotten. If you notice bad smells from any of your drains, take it as a sign there is a problem in your pipes that needs attention.
Sinkholes
A sinkhole that forms in your yard or driveway is a really good indication you have an external pipe issue. Any leaks underground will cause the soil to become wet and heavy, which is why you’ll see an indent form in an otherwise flat surface. It might only be the size of your foot but you need to take action and find the cause.
Rapidly Growing Tree
A tree that has access to unlimited water will shoot up and grow lush very quickly. You might also notice sections of greener grass where your lawn is getting the benefit of underground water seepage.
DIY Solutions
You might like to begin with some home remedies to fix the immediate symptoms. These two recommendations are plumber-approved using natural ingredients that are gentle on trees as well as your pipes.
Copper Sulphate
Copper sulphate has a similar compound to salt, only it’s bright blue. You will be able to find it at hardware and garden supply stores. Simply flush half a cup of copper sulphate down the toilet to see results. It is a natural herbicide and will make the water in your pipes distasteful to plants and trees that are seeking fresh water. This method is not suitable for septic tank systems.
Salt
If you have a septic tank then rock salt (Sodium Chloride) is safe to use and has a similar effect to copper sulphate treatment. You can pick it up from supermarkets or hardware stores.
Place one cup of rock salt into a bucket (eight litres of water) that is hot enough for the salt to dissolve. Pour into a clean toilet bowl and allow it to sit for a few hours or overnight before flushing.
The salt method is only effective if the tree roots haven’t grown so excessively that they block the entire pipe.
Professional Methods
While home remedies are a good start to clear your pipes and get things moving, it’s not a permanent solution as tree roots will regrow. You may need to contact a professional drain system cleaner.
There are a number of different methods professional plumbers use that engage specialty tools to remove the issue for good. What method they use will depend on where the blockage is, the kind of roots they find and how much of your pipe is blocked.
In order to be able to apply the right solution your plumber will need to get a first-hand look at what is going on inside your pipes using a specialized cable camera. Known as an endoscope, this camera and light system can be easily inserted at the drain opening and snake through to the blockage point and see exactly what is going on.
The typical methods for clearing tree roots from your drain pipes are:
Mechanical Auger or Rooter
The cheapest and the most frequently used professional method is the auger. Inserted at the drain point the mechanical auger (also called a rooter) is fed into the pipe and will chop through any obstructions it encounters along the way. Your plumber will then flush the pipe to clear any remaining debris.
While this method is incredibly effective at cutting roots and clearing them the tree will regrow or send new roots down over the coming months. Your plumber will treat the pipes or recommend a treatment you can use to deter roots from entering your pipeline.
Hydro-jetting
Hydro-jetting is more expensive but a fast and effective drain-cleaning process that leaves your pipes sparkling.
A high-powered pump pressurizes water and forces it through the pipe duct at rapid speeds.
A chemical treatment will usually follow, unless you are undertaking pipe relining as well.
Pipe Repair or Replacement
When trees invade pipes they cause small cracks to be enlarged and pipes to break. In some cases, repairs or replacements will be suggested by your plumber. The exact treatment will require an assessment of the level of damage and the number of places the pipe needs repair.
Pipe replacement is expensive and requires a lot of downtime while excavation equipment is hired to dig down to the pipe location. A more modern, fast and cost-effective method is pipe relining. In this case, a protective sleeve is inserted and positioned and sealed in place. This will only be recommended by your plumber if there is enough of the original pipe to seal the composite resin to. As well as protecting pipes from tree roots and making them leak-proof it also strengthens them for decades to come.
While it might feel like an ongoing war, it is one that can be a win-win situation for a healthy, green garden and strong and well-maintained pipes. DIY solutions can help get your pipes moving again however they may require extra attention and advice from a professional to provide a long-term fix.
If you have ongoing issues with blocked drains, even if they seem minor it’s important you get onto a solution quickly to reduce damage as well as the cost to clear tree roots and repair pipes. For professional advice on clearing tree roots, contact a plumber.
