Post By Admin
August 22, 2024Ever noticed your drains acting up more than usual? Or perhaps that once-clear pathway in your yard is now a mini swamp? You might not believe it, but the culprit could be right under your feet—tree roots growing in pipes.
You see, tree roots are naturally drawn to moisture, making your underground pipes a prime target. When they find even the tiniest crack, they’ll sneak in and start expanding, leading to a blocked stormwater drain or worse.
But how can you tell if tree roots in a pipe are the reason behind your plumbing woes? And what can you do about it?
Stick around, because we’re about to dive into the top 5 signs that your pipes are under attack from these persistent invaders—and how you can tackle them before they cause too much damage.
5 Signs of Tree Roots in Pipes
Now that we’ve planted the seed of concern, let’s dig a little deeper. Yep, those same trees providing you with shade and beauty could also be wreaking havoc on your plumbing system.
The question is, can tree roots break water pipes? Unfortunately, the answer is yes, and when they do, the signs of roots in pipes can sometimes be subtle—until they’re not.
But before we jump into the telltale signs, it’s important to remember that tree roots can be persistent. They can grow long distances underground in search of water, and your pipes are often the perfect oasis.
If you’ve noticed something strange going on with your plumbing, it might just be the roots reaching into places they shouldn’t.
1. Smelly Drains
Smelly drains can be more than just a nuisance; they could be a sign of roots growing in the toilet drain.
The problem starts when roots find their way into your pipes through tiny cracks or joints. Once inside, they spread out, catching everything that tries to pass by, including waste from your toilet.
Over time, this debris becomes trapped, decomposes, and releases gases that escape back up through your drains, creating those foul smells that can permeate your home.
Therefore, if you’ve ever walked into your bathroom and been hit with an unpleasant odour coming from the drains, it’s not something you should ignore.
2. Backyard Sinkhole
You might notice a small dip in your lawn or even a large, alarming crater. Either way, if you see your yard suddenly giving way, it’s a sign that something is happening below the surface, and it’s usually tree roots growing in pipes.
Sinkholes occur when the ground beneath your yard begins to erode or collapse, often because of a leaking pipe. When tree roots invade your plumbing, they can cause underground water leaks by cracking or breaking your pipes as they grow.
Once the pipe is compromised, water seeps into the surrounding soil, washing it away bit by bit. Over time, the ground can no longer support the weight above it, leading to a sinkhole.
The damage can be extensive, and the longer it goes unaddressed, the bigger and more costly the repair can become.
3. Blocked Sewer Pipe
When roots infiltrate your sewer line, they can create blockages that stop waste from flowing out of your home, leading to a blocked sewer pipe—a nightmare scenario for any homeowner.
Similar to what triggers smelly bathroom drains, the problem begins when roots enter the sewer pipe through small cracks or loose joints.
Once inside, they thrive in the nutrient-rich environment, growing rapidly and eventually filling up the pipe.
As the roots expand, they trap waste, toilet paper, and other debris, which leads to a blocked sewer pipe. This blockage can cause wastewater to back up into your home, resulting in overflows from your toilet, sinks, or even your bathtub.
4. Gurgling Drain
That gurgling drain sound is more than just a weird noise—it’s a sign that there’s something obstructing the flow of water, and that something could very well be tree roots in your pipes. When roots invade your plumbing, they can create pockets of trapped air, which results in that telltale gurgling sound.
Here’s how it works: as water tries to pass through the roots clogging your pipes, it gets backed up, creating air bubbles that make their way up through your drain.
These bubbles can cause the water to gurgle as it struggles to flow past the obstruction. While the noise might seem harmless at first, it’s a warning sign that something is wrong within your plumbing system.
Eventually, the gurgling could be followed by slow drains, bad odours, and even backups—signs that the roots have taken over and are causing serious issues.
5. Frequent Clogs
Frequent clogs are one of the most common indicators of roots invading your pipes. So, if you’re finding yourself reaching for the plunger or drain cleaner more often than not, it could be a sign that tree roots have made their way into your plumbing.
The frustrating part about frequent clogs caused by tree roots is that standard DIY methods often don’t work.
While a plunger or drain cleaner might provide temporary relief, the root problem remains, and the clogs will keep coming back. In some cases, the roots can even cause enough damage to require extensive repairs or pipe replacement.
How to Clear Tree Roots in Drain Pipes?
So, you have roots in your plumbing lines and are now thinking: How do I get rid of them once and for all?
Well, this is the part where a professional plumber comes in! A professional inspection can confirm whether or not that the roots of a nearby tree is causing this damage and provide guidance to avoid it in future.
A CCTV drain inspection service is one of the most effective ways to be able to identify root intrusion. This is where we use a specialised camera that goes down the pipe to show if there are any roots or blockages in with access points. It is a non-invasive procedure that can identify the issue accurately.
A popular way to kill tree roots, if you are looking at fixing this problem yourself through DIY, is by using copper sulphate for root control. This compound is toxic to roots and will clear them out the pipes so that they are no longer a problem. How to test it: pour about a half cup in the toilet before flushing out.
However, it’s important to note that copper sulphate is not a guaranteed solution – especially if the roots have caused significant damage to your pipes. Moreover, using chemicals incorrectly can damage your pipes or the environment and that is why it’s best to get professional advice.
Also read: How Much Does a CCTV Drain Inspection Cost?
Conclusion
This is the sort of issue that can look minor to start with but rapidly becomes impossible if you ignore things for a while.
Dealing with the root problem of tree roots in pipes early on will save you time, money and a huge headache down the line.
Though temporary fixes may alleviate the issue for a little while, the best solution to root removal within toilet lines is professional — and we are just that!
At Neighbourhood Plumbing Melbourne, we have the tools, experience, and knowledge to clear all the tree roots within your pipes efficiently!
Your plumbing system will be up and running without the risk of further damage. If you have roots in your pipes, trust our Melbourne plumbing service to take care of it.
About the Author
From unclogging the toughest drains to repairing leaking toilets, Ricky is a seasoned plumber who has brought his craftmanship to homes across Melbourne. He is passionate about sharing plumbing tips just as much as he is about fixing your plumbing issues. So, when your taps or pipes begin leaking, you know who to call.
