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Tree Roots In Drainpipes: Signs And Solutions

Trees are a stunning addition to any garden, street, or community space. Their vibrant colours, diverse textures, and general visual appeal bring much-needed cheer to our daily lives. Beyond their beauty, trees are essential to our wellbeing. They provide oxygen, store carbon, stabilise soil, and support wildlife. Additionally, they supply materials for tools and shelter. However, trees can sometimes interfere with our drainage systems.

Tree roots that penetrate deep into the ground can surround drainpipes. While this usually does not cause issues, problems can arise when roots wrap around and squeeze old pipes with joints or entangle with shallow or small pipes. If a drainpipe has a crack, tree roots can infiltrate, thrive, and create a host of problems.

If you suspect tree roots are to blame for slow drainage issues in your home, you will find this article useful as we will cover the signs and solutions for tree root invasion as well as some other useful information.

Signs Of Having Tree Roots In Your Drains

How do tree roots get into drains, I hear you ask? Tree roots thrive in environments rich in oxygen, warmth, moisture, and nutrients. However, they struggle to grow in waterlogged drainpipes. When there is a defect in the pipes, such as a crack or displaced joint caused by pipe subsidence, roots seize the opportunity to invade. As they grow, they widen these defects, further compromising the pipes. Once roots infiltrate the drain’s interior, water flow is obstructed, leading to waste buildup and slow drainage throughout your home.

Identifying this issue visually can be challenging, so recognising other signs is crucial to addressing the problem promptly:

  • Slow draining: One of the earliest signs is slow draining in sinks, bathtubs, or toilets. This is due to the roots partially blocking the pipes, reducing water flow.
  • Frequent clogs: If you experience frequent clogs or backups in your plumbing, it could be due to roots creating obstructions in the pipes.
  • Gurgling noises: Unusual gurgling sounds coming from your drains or toilets can indicate that water is struggling to flow past a blockage caused by roots.
  • Unpleasant odours: A persistent foul smell emanating from your drains or around your property may signal that there is stagnant water and decomposing material trapped by roots in the pipes.
  • Lush patches of grass: In your garden, if you notice unusually green and lush patches of grass or plants, it might be because the roots have found a water source in your drainpipes.
  • Sinkholes or indentations: The presence of sinkholes, soft spots, or indentations in your garden can indicate that water is leaking from damaged pipes, which might be due to root intrusion.
  • Wet areas or pooling water: Unexplained wet areas or water pooling on your lawn, especially when it has not rained, can suggest that tree roots have damaged your drains, causing leaks.
  • Increased pest activity: If you notice an increase in rodents or insects around your property, it could be because they are attracted to the moisture and organic material trapped in blocked pipes.
  • Sudden drop in water pressure: A noticeable drop in water pressure can occur if the roots significantly obstruct the water flow in the pipes.
  • Foundation cracks: Although less common, extensive root growth into drains can cause shifts in the soil, leading to cracks in your foundation.

While powerflushing is preferred for its efficiency and thoroughness in cleaning central heating systems, there are instances where a manual flush may be more suitable, particularly for sensitive systems or cost-conscious scenarios where a gentler or more controlled approach is desired.  

How Are Root Damaged Drains Repaired?

Repairing root-damaged drains is not a one-sized-fits-all solution. Typically, it will involve several steps and methods, depending on the extent of the damage.

Identify Location and Diagnose The Extent Of The Damage

A professional plumber will firstly inspect the area to try and precisely locate the roots and assess the damage inside the pipes. They will often do this by using a video camera on the end of a flexible rod to get far into the drain where the root has penetrated. It allows for a clear view of the interior condition of the drains. The aim is always to remedy the problem with as little invasive behaviour as possible and using a camera to do this, helps identify and diagnose clearly and accurately and find the best solution possible.

Root Removal

Plumbers can use a range of techniques to remove the root from your drains:

If the tree roots have accessed the system via its joints, and there has been no major displacement to those joints, in many cases, they may simply cut the root from your drain using specialised plumbing tools such as an Auger or a snaking tool which has rotating blades that dislodge and chop up the intrusive roots.

Hydro jetting may be another option. This method uses high-pressure water jets to blast away roots and other obstructions. It can be highly effective in clearing pipes without causing further damage.

Pipe Repair Or Replacement

Depending on the extent and cause of the damage, the type of repair method will vary, but the options are generally one of the following:

  1. Pipe relining is the least disruptive repair method as it does not require extensive digging. Essentially this is where a new pipe in the form a flexible liner coated with resin, is inserted into the damaged pipe. The liner is then inflated and cured, forming a new, seamless pipe within the old one, reducing the likeliness of the roots getting back into your drains.
  2. Traditional excavation: In cases of extensive damage where there has been significant displacement of joints or severe fracturing, traditional excavation might be necessary. This involves digging up the affected section of the pipe and replacing it. Although more disruptive and costly, it ensures that the entire damaged pipe section is addressed. This method should be considered only if relining is not a viable option. In many domestic systems, with lots of bends and junctions over short distances, combination repair methods are often necessary.
  3. Pipe bursting: This is another trenchless technique where an expander head (also known as a “bursting head” or “bullet”) is pulled through the old pipe, breaking it apart, while simultaneously pulling a new pipe into place. It is good option if your drainage system has suffered severe root ingress and major joint displacement, yet excavation or pipe relining isn’t feasible. This technique works best when there are no sudden directional changes in the pipework, and you can winch a line through the system.

By carefully evaluating the layout and condition of your pipes, professionals can determine the best approach to restore your drainage system efficiently and effectively.

Preventative Steps To Avoid Tree Roots In Your Pipes

To stop tree roots invading your drains again, or to avoid it from happening in the first place, there are some preventative measures you can take:

Thoughtful Planting And Landscape Management

If you are planting new trees known for vigorous root growth, be mindful to maintain a safe distance from your drainage systems. Varieties like maple, willow, plane, oaks, and beeches are common culprits. For trees like these that are already planted on your land, it might be necessary to relocate them if it looks like they are going to be causing future drain intrusion problems otherwise.

Root Barriers

Installing root barriers between trees and pipes can help redirect root growth away from the drainage system, reducing the risk of future damage.

Root barriers, made from plastic, metal, or stone, are installed around trees to direct roots away from plumbing and underground utilities. They help prevent root damage to foundations and structures, while allowing normal tree growth above ground. Root barriers are useful for both older and newly planted trees, enhancing their health by improving access to water and nutrients, and ensuring a harmonious coexistence with infrastructure.

Chemical Root Killers

After removing the roots and repairing the pipes, applying a chemical root killer can help prevent future root intrusion. These chemicals can be flushed down the toilet or directly applied to the pipes, killing any remaining roots, and inhibiting new growth. They can deter root growth for up to several years.

However, it is important to remember that they are not a permanent solution, and reapplication will be likely be necessary. It is also important to note that these products can be toxic to plants, so it is worth getting a professional opinion before using them near your treasured trees or shrubs.

Regular Maintenance

Schedule regular inspections and maintenance to detect and address any minor issues before they become major problems. This can include periodic use of root-killing chemicals or mechanical cleaning.

Regular checks will ensure any leaks are caught promptly. Don’t forget, leaks provide an opening for tree roots to enter your plumbing system and cause damage. Even a small leak can allow tree roots to invade and cause blockages, clogs, and collapse of the pipes. So, if you spot a seemingly small, insignificant leak – be sure to act quickly!

Homebuyer’s Drain Survey

If you are looking to buy a new property with dense tree growth nearby, you should have a home buyer’s drain survey conducted. This will assess the need for preventative repairs and the removal of roots that might pose a threat to the drainage system, to ensure that you are aware of the work that may be involved if you invest in the property.

For any plumbing problems that you may be experiencing, our fully qualified plumbing repairs and maintenance team would love to help. You know where we are if you need us.