How to Remove Tree Roots from Your Drains

We find 80% of all blocked sewer drains in Melbourne are caused by tree roots finding their way into sewer pipes and storm water drains.

Who doesn’t love the look of a beautiful big tree? Providing shade and the beauty it attracts beats the look of a pergola or shade sale hands down. However, the root system from certain types of trees can cause a huge amount of damage to your storm water and sewer pipes.

When trees are planted over the top or too close to sewer pipes, the end result could be cutting down your beautiful tree and replacing your damaged sewer pipes, which will cause considerable damage to your landscape and a hit to your hip pocket.

So, how do tree roots get into sewer and storm water drains?

Tree roots are simply on the hunt for nutrients and water, and sewer drains contain all the nutrients a tree could wish for. So, the environment is perfect for tree roots to not just survive but thrive.

A gap in the pipework, a cracked pipe or a joint not sealed properly can be all that is needed for a tree root the size of a hair to start its venture into your drainage system. Once inside and with all the nutrients it could possibly need, that hair like structure starts to multiply and build in size and before you know it, your sewer is blocked.

What can I do?

They say prevention is better than cure but if the rabbit has already got out of the hat then regular maintenance and cleaning of your drains is the best and most cost-effective defence for blocked drains in Melbourne.

If tree roots have started to grow in your drains and before they get too large to remove, we recommend having your local master plumbing professional cut them out with a sewer machine (sewer snake) or with a tree root cutter, then retrieving them out of the drain with a retrieval head.

We would then run a CCTV camera down your drain to identify any remaining tree roots and follow with a high-pressure water jet drain clean to flush out all your pipes and cut out those remaining small fibers. Once flushed, we follow with another drainage inspection using a CCTV camera to make sure your pipes are clean and running freely, and if not, we repeat until clear.

Note: This may need to be done annually, because once tree roots have entered your drain, it’s impossible to permanently remove them. However, compared to the cost of replacing your drains, the loss of your tree and the damage to your landscape is often the chosen option.

Who pays to fix my drains?

The property owner is responsible for both the storm water and sewer drains located within their title of land. There is a connection point usually located at the property boundary that distinguishes the start of the owner’s responsibility (your drain) and the end of your water authority’s main drain. This connection between the two is made via a property boundary trap “B.T” or an Inspection Shaft “I.S” in BT omitted areas.

Who should I call to remove tree roots from sewer and storm water drains?

Sewers don’t just block on a weekday between 9am-5pm, so you may need a 24/7 emergency plumbing service.

Call Essendon Plumbing Services on 1300 193 298 or book online if you’re having problems with your sewer drain, your toilet is clogged, or storm water drains are overflowing in heavy rain. We have the expertise, experience and equipment required to have your drains running freely again.

We back this with our 100% customer satisfaction guarantee, meaning if you’re not happy we’ll fix it for free!