Discover the BEST Solutions for Clearing Tree Roots That Cause Blocked Pipes and Drains Near You
How Tree Roots in Pipes cause Drain Blockages Near You
Sydney boasts beautiful tree-lined streets and leafy suburbs that contribute to the vibrant atmosphere of the city. The shade and environmental benefits that trees offer are invaluable. With proper planning for the planting of new trees and regular plumbing system maintenance checks around established trees, both your pipes and trees can coexist peacefully. It is certainly possible.
Since plumbing systems are typically buried underground—right where trees grow—roots are a leading cause of drain blockages in Australia. Once roots infiltrate your PVC, metal, or ceramic pipes, you'll begin to notice the usual signs of blocked drains.
Unfortunately, tree roots don't stop growing once they enter your drainage system. Over time, they can cause significant damage to your pipes. Without professional plumbing intervention, this can lead to costly repairs if left unchecked.
Why Are Pipes So Susceptible to Roots?
What's the root cause? As mentioned above, plumbing pipes are often buried beneath the ground, surrounded by nature. A tree’s root system seeks out nutrients and water essential for its growth, and plumbing pipes naturally attract these roots. Condensation forming on the exterior of sewer or stormwater pipes draws tree roots towards the water, particularly during warmer months and throughout the growing season.
Internal Tree Root Entry
Even the smallest fractures or gaps in your sewer pipes or stormwater drains—whether at a joint or due to ground movement—can allow fibrous, hair-like roots to infiltrate. These fine roots are drawn to the moisture inside, and once they enter, they begin to grow into a dense mass, blocking and damaging the drain. Multiple points of entry can occur, not just in one section of the drain. Older porcelain or earthenware pipes, known for small cracks and imperfections, often provide these "invitations" for roots to penetrate, potentially causing significant blockages. As the saying goes... from little things, big things grow.
External Tree Roots
Larger root systems may also be attracted to your underground pipes. When hot water flows through pipes, it can create condensation on the outside, which draws tree roots. If there is no obvious entry point or opening in the pipe, these roots may wrap around the pipe instead. Over time, this can lead to a restricted or even collapsed pipeline, resulting in a blockage.
Untreated Blockages
Left unchecked, blockages caused by tree roots can escalate into major issues. Any debris that finds its way into the drain will become trapped in the growing root system, placing more pressure on the already blocked drain. Items like food scraps, hair, cat litter, coffee grounds, foreign objects, cooking oil, and even wet wipes can all contribute to the issue. A developing root system inside your drains will cause these obstructions to accumulate more quickly and frequently, further disrupting your plumbing. The longer a drain stays blocked, the more complex the professional intervention required. To resolve the situation and clear blockages, it is best to seek the services of a licensed plumber as soon as possible. Contact Network Plumbing today to clear your blocked drains.
Preventing Root Issues
Take care of your drains to avoid future blockages. Prevent food build-up in your pipes, and avoid unnecessary strain on your plumbing system. Always dispose of waste properly by using a bin rather than flushing items like baby wipes or sanitary products. These items can easily clog sewage pipes, so it’s crucial to bin them and not flush them down the toilet.
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7 Common Signs of a Blocked Drain & Identifying Tree Roots in Pipes
Here’s how blockages in drains can manifest once they begin to impede the flow of water. Whether it’s the water supply coming into your home, your sewage system leaving your property, or your stormwater pipes, blockages can affect all types of drains. Our professional plumber has identified the top 7 signs that indicate you may have a blocked drain on your property.
1. Slow Drains
Tree roots infiltrating sewer lines often cause drains to empty slowly at various locations, particularly in areas where roots have begun to penetrate the pipes.
2. Sinkholes
The presence of tree roots may contribute to the development of sinkholes on your property. As roots grow and invade the pipes, they can cause the ground above to become unstable.
3. Blocked and Damaged Piping
Root intrusion into pipes is one of the leading causes of blockages, leading not only to clogging but also potential damage to your plumbing system, which may require costly repairs.
4. Foul Odor
The infiltration of tree roots can lead to the accumulation of waste and stagnation of water inside pipes, resulting in unpleasant odours emanating from drains, particularly when the roots obstruct the flow of sewage.
5. Reduced Water Pressure
As tree roots grow inside your pipes, they restrict the flow of water, which can result in reduced water pressure in your taps or shower, making it harder to carry out normal household tasks.
6. Gurgling Noises
The sound of gurgling in your drains is often a clear sign of blockages caused by tree roots. This happens when air gets trapped in the pipes, usually due to roots obstructing the water flow.
7. Increase in Water Bills
Unexplained increases in your water bill can sometimes be attributed to tree roots interfering with your plumbing system, which causes water to be used inefficiently, resulting in higher consumption.
If you’re experiencing any of these signs, it’s time to call a professional plumber who specialises in blocked drains. Network Plumbing is here to help—contact us to schedule an expert plumber to assess and fix your blocked drains promptly.
Blocked Drains Solutions Near You in Sydney
Don’t be misled by home remedies or over-the-counter drain cleaners available at most hardware stores, which claim to clear your blocked drain. While techniques like boiling water, baking soda, and vinegar might offer a temporary solution for minor grease build-up in your drains, they are no match for the root systems that invade your pipes and cause more significant blockages.
A root system infiltrating your pipes can create severe blockages that require more than just hot water and a bit of baking soda. To properly clear a blocked drain, it takes years of professional training, extensive experience, and the latest plumbing technology to effectively resolve the issue.
Why Home Remedies Won't Clear Root Systems In Your Pipe
There are many myths circulating about how to clear a blocked drain, some of which include:
- A cup of boiling water, bicarbonate of soda, and white vinegar flushed through the system.
- Flushing rock salt down your toilet to dry out and kill the root system.
- Pouring herbicides or weed killers down your pipes.
Please avoid these methods! Not only can the last one be harmful to the environment, but it’s difficult to know the extent of damage these chemicals might cause to your drainage system.
In reality, these solutions are rarely effective and often not worth the time spent trying them. Root systems that have entered your drains find a place to thrive around the clock. Even if a particular root system dies, another may take its place, likely entering through the same damaged area in the pipe.
However, our plumbers do recommend occasionally pouring boiling water down your kitchen sink, provided your pipes aren't PVC. This can help loosen any grease build-up, but it’s not a solution for blockages—more of a preventative measure.
Avoid Over-the-Counter Cleaners for Blocked Drains
Our plumber suggests saving your money, preserving your pipes, and protecting our waterways by avoiding over-the-counter drain cleaners. Chemicals such as caustic cleaners can be dangerous, particularly when used on PVC pipes. They pose health risks and do little to actually resolve blocked drains.
A DIY Drain Snake
A DIY drain snake might seem like a more practical option, but it generally lacks the power needed to effectively clear severe sewer blockages. Furthermore, without knowing the exact condition of your pipes, you could inadvertently cause additional damage while trying to clear the blockage.
None of these home remedies or store-bought solutions take into account the root cause of the blockage. Is it a large root system that has completely collapsed the pipe under pressure? Has lasting structural damage occurred, leading to burst pipes, flooding, reduced water pressure, or extruding foreign objects that cause further property damage? Only a thorough investigation by a professional plumber will be able to accurately diagnose the problem and provide a lasting solution.
Network Plumbing Specializes Clearing Roots from Drains in Nearby Sydney
Network Plumbing are experts in clearing blocked drains. Our licensed plumbers are trained to efficiently assess any blocked drain and the symptoms associated with it.
Our plumbers are equipped with the latest plumbing technology, highly skilled, and thoroughly experienced. Using a CCTV drain camera, they can pinpoint the exact location of the blockage and visually identify what’s causing the obstruction. The more information our plumber gathers, the better the chance of a successful resolution.
Gone are the days of using a plumber's snake or the so-called "electric eel." Our plumbers now employ a high-pressure water Jetter to clear blockages. This powerful tool uses pressurised water to push through the pipe, clearing away roots, dirt, sand, grease, and debris in one go. No chemicals, no guesswork, and no more blockages in that pipe.
After clearing the blockage, our plumbers reinspect the pipes to assess their structural integrity. Are there any cracks, breaks, or weaknesses in the pipework?
If there are, Network Plumbing offers a permanent solution to keep those roots out of your pipes for good—Pipe Relining.
Pipe relining is a process that repairs damaged pipes without the need for digging up your garden or your existing pipework. The resin used to reline broken or damaged pipes becomes structurally stronger than PVC once it has cured.
Our pipe relining work comes with a 25-year guarantee, ensuring that you will 'never have tree root issues again' within the relined sections of your pipework.
The Terrifying Reality of Tree Roots in Pipes
Don't Let Your Plumbing Suffocate!
Trees And Your Drain Pipes Near Sydney
When dealing with a blockage, as previously discussed, the most common cause is tree roots entering your plumbing system. However, with the latest plumbing technology, including drain cameras to inspect the inside of your pipes, and advanced plumbing solutions such as pipe relining, there are now permanent ways to restore your pipework and protect it from further root intrusion. We believe that trees and plumbing can coexist.
If you're planning to plant new trees on your property, it’s important to gather information about the location of your pipes by consulting a sewerage service diagram. Sydney Water recommends planting new trees at least 6 metres away from your plumbing services to protect your drains from potential damage.
If you already have trees on your property and are concerned about root entry, it’s a good idea to have your pipes inspected by our experienced plumbers before you notice signs of a blocked drain.
If you're already experiencing signs of a blocked drain, act quickly. The longer the blockage persists, the more expensive the potential repairs could become. Protect one of your greatest investments—your home.
Be proactive and get your pipes inspected today. Call our team today!
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