Tree Root Removal from Drains.Done Right.

How roots get into pipes

Roots search for water and nutrients, and a drain is a steady supply of both. A small crack or a loose joint lets moisture escape, roots follow it in, and once inside they grow and trap paper and waste. Old clay and cement pipes, with many joints, are at more risk than modern plastic pipes with sealed joints.

How root problems show up

Slow drains, gurgling toilets, a sewer smell in the yard, a drain that blocks again within weeks after clearing and wet patches on the lawn are typical signs. A drain that keeps blocking in the same spot, even after jetting, often points to roots or a damaged joint.

Clearing the roots

Roots can be cut out of a pipe with a cutting head on a cable machine or with high pressure water jetting. That restores flow, but if the pipe is still open at the joint, the roots grow back. Clearing is the first step. A camera inspection afterwards shows the damage and what comes next.

Roots come back

The speed of regrowth depends on the tree, the soil and how open the pipe is. Some drains need clearing every year or two. If you are paying for the same job repeatedly, it is time to talk about repair or relining. Our CCTV drain inspection page explains how the camera shows the pipe's condition.

Repair options after roots

A cracked pipe can be replaced by digging, or relined with a new lining inside the old pipe where the condition allows. Relining avoids digging but needs the pipe to be in a suitable state. Ask for the footage and the reason a method suits your pipe, as well as how the garden or paving will be restored.

Trees you should not just cut down

A tree close to a house may be protected by your council, and removing it can need a permit. Check with your council before cutting a large tree. Removing a tree can also change soil moisture around footings, so get advice first.

Choosing the right tree near a drain

When planting, keep thirsty species well away from drains and sewer lines. Ask a landscaper or your council about suitable species and distances for your block. A little planning now avoids costly drain work later.

Tree roots and stormwater

Roots do not only affect sewer pipes. Stormwater pipes carry water most of the time after rain and have joints that roots can enter. If a stormwater pit overflows or a downpipe backs up, roots are one of the causes to check. See our stormwater drains page.

Questions people ask about root removal

Will roots damage a plastic pipe?

Modern sealed plastic pipes are far more resistant, but roots can still enter at poor joints.

Can chemicals kill roots in the drain?

Some products claim to. They can harm the garden and are not a fix for a damaged pipe. Ask your plumber before using them.

Is the tree or the drain my responsibility?

A tree on your land is generally yours. A tree on a nature strip is usually the council's. Drain responsibility depends on where the pipe sits. Check with the council and your water retailer.

Will insurance cover root damage?

It depends on your policy. Read the wording and ask your insurer before work starts.

What to expect when roots are cleared

The plumber accesses the drain, passes a cutting head or high-pressure jet through the pipe, clears roots and debris and then runs a camera if needed to see what is left and what damage the roots caused. Flow returns once the blockage is cleared, but root stubs remain in joints. Expect the plumber to recommend an inspection if roots were the cause.

How often will it need doing?

Some drains need clearing every year or two. Others stay clear for much longer if the tree is small or far away. If you are clearing roots repeatedly, ask whether repairing the joints or relining the pipe would cost less over time. Keep the footage and dates, because they show how fast the roots grow back.

Talking to neighbours and the council

Roots from a neighbour's tree or a street tree can be a shared problem. Be factual, share footage and ask your council what it requires before any work on a street tree. Do not cut or poison a tree you do not own without permission, since rules and penalties may apply.

Choosing between cutting, jetting and replacing pipe

Cutting removes roots from the pipe but they can grow back through the same joint. Jetting cleans debris after cutting. Replacing or relining the damaged section fixes the entry point. A camera shows how bad the damage is and which suits the pipe.

If roots return every year, ask for a plan, not another cut.

Trees, neighbours and council rules

Removing a tree may need council permission, and street trees are the council's. Neighbours' trees can still damage your pipes. Talk to the council before removing or pruning, and keep records of the inspection if a dispute follows.

A plumber can document the pipe condition, but the tree decision sits with the owner and the council.

Early warning signs of roots in your drains

Slow drains in several fixtures, gurgling when you flush, a damp patch or lush grass over the drain line, or a drain that blocks repeatedly can all signal roots. Roots are drawn to the moisture and nutrients in a pipe and enter through small cracks or joints, then grow into a mass that catches paper and waste.

The sooner roots are removed, the less damage they do to the joint. Ask for a camera inspection so you can see the size of the roots and the condition of the pipe, and so the plumber can say whether cutting is enough or the pipe needs repair.

Guides worth reading

• Why Your Drains Keep Blocking and What Actually Fixes Them

Related plumbing services

• Emergency Plumbing: Burst pipes, flooding, gas smells and no hot water. Call any hour, any day.
• Blocked Drains: Slow sinks, gurgling pipes and smelly drains cleared and the cause found.
• Blocked Toilets: Blocked, slow or overflowing toilets cleared without making a mess of your bathroom.
• Drain Jet Blasting: High pressure water jetting for grease, silt, scale and root build-up.
• Emergency plumbing is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Talk to GSA Plumbing Services

Call 0401 041 103 or send an enquiry on the contact page. We work across Geelong, Melbourne and surrounding suburbs.