Have you ever noticed slow-draining water or unexpected flooding after rainfall? If so, tree roots might be invading your stormwater drain. This issue is common in Australian suburbs, especially in areas with older plumbing systems. Large trees with extensive root networks often cause significant blockages, leading to drainage failures and costly repairs.
Tree roots naturally seek out moisture, making stormwater drains an ideal target, particularly during dry conditions. As soil dries out, roots extend further in search of water sources. Any tiny cracks or joints in pipes provide an entry point, allowing roots to infiltrate and grow within the drainage system. Over time, they expand, trapping debris and obstructing water flow.
Understanding how tree roots affect stormwater drains is crucial for homeowners. Left untreated, these blockages can result in severe damage, requiring extensive repairs or pipe replacements. Fortunately, there are effective ways to manage the problem, from regular drain inspections to professional root removal techniques.
In this article, we’ll explore how tree roots impact stormwater drainage and the best strategies to prevent and resolve blockages, ensuring your drainage system remains clear and functional.
How Tree Roots Enter Stormwater Drains
Tree roots are constantly searching for moisture and nutrients. Stormwater drains and sewer lines provide an abundant source of water, making them an ideal target for tree roots.
How Tree Roots Detect Moisture and Infiltrate Pipes
Tree roots grow through the surrounding soil in search of moisture. During dry conditions, wet soil near drainage pipes becomes an attractive source of water.
Even small cracks or loose joints in drain pipes allow tree roots to infiltrate, expanding inside the plumbing system. Once inside pipes, tree root intrusion continues, forming dense root blockages that restrict proper flow.
Vulnerabilities of Older Pipes
Older clay pipes and earthenware sewer drains are particularly vulnerable to root invasion. These drain pipes are more prone to cracking due to shifting soil, wear and tear, and weak connections at pipe joints. Once tree roots grow inside, they expand rapidly, worsening drain blockages.
Are Modern PVC Pipes Immune to Root Intrusion?
While PVC pipes are more resistant than clay pipes, they are not immune to tree root obstruction. If existing pipes develop fractures or weak joints, tree roots infiltrate the drainage pipes and cause similar damage.
Over time, tree roots in pipes create structural weaknesses, leading to broken pipes that require pipe relining work or full replacements.
The Consequences of Tree Root Intrusion in Stormwater Drains
Tree roots in stormwater pipes and sewer pipes can cause major issues if left untreated. Blocked drains not only disrupt the drain system but also lead to expensive maintenance, structural damage, and potential flooding.
Reduced Drainage Efficiency
When invasive tree roots grow inside drain pipes, they obstruct the normal flow of water. The more roots infiltrate, the worse the blockage becomes, reducing drainage efficiency. In severe cases, all the roots inside the stormwater drains cause water to back up into homes, leading to significant damage. This backup can also result in foul odours from sewer pipes, further indicating the need to remove tree roots before they completely block the system.
Structural Damage to Pipes
Tree roots exert immense pressure on underground pipes. Root growth inside plumbing pipes creates cracks, weakens pipe material, and eventually causes broken pipes. This root intrusion leads to leakage, sinkholes, and costly repairs. If left untreated, tree root obstruction can cause a full pipe collapse, requiring complete pipe system replacements. Drain pipes that have been repeatedly invaded by roots may eventually become too damaged to repair, necessitating expensive excavation and replacement work.
Flooding Risks
Blocked drains from tree root invasion prevent stormwater from flowing efficiently, increasing the risk of localised flooding. During heavy rainfall, blocked stormwater pipes can overflow, damaging driveways, gardens, and even homes.
Preventing tree roots from drains is essential to maintaining a functional drainage system. Severe flooding can also lead to soil erosion, further destabilising the surrounding property.
Increased Maintenance Costs
Neglecting root invasion in plumbing pipes leads to significant maintenance expenses. To avoid costly repairs, homeowners should remove tree roots from sewer pipes and drain pipes regularly.
Clearing root system blockages in stormwater pipes helps prevent further damage and minimises the risk of extensive property repairs. The cost of unblocking drains and repairing root-damaged pipes can be high, especially when dealing with collapsed drain pipes.
Routine inspections and preventative maintenance can help detect early signs of tree root obstruction, reducing the likelihood of emergency plumbing costs.
Identifying Tree Root Damage in Stormwater Drains
Recognising tree root intrusion early can save homeowners from extensive plumbing repairs and prevent costly damage to drain pipes and sewer lines.
Tree roots in pipes can go undetected for months or even years, gradually expanding and worsening drain blockages. Understanding the warning signs and available inspection methods can help prevent severe damage to the drainage system.
Common Warning Signs of Tree Root Blockages
- Slow-draining water in multiple fixtures, including sinks, bathtubs, and showers, which may indicate a partial obstruction in the sewer pipes or stormwater drains.
- Foul odours from sewer drains are often caused by organic waste trapped by tree roots infiltrating pipes.
- Unusual gurgling sounds when using sinks, showers, or toilets, a result of air trapped in the plumbing pipes due to restricted water flow.
- Standing water or flooding around drainage pipes, often due to tree root obstruction preventing proper flow through the drain system.
If you suspect tree roots are causing drain blockages, it’s crucial to act before further tree root damage occurs.
CCTV Drain Camera Inspections for Root Intrusion
Professional plumbers use CCTV drain cameras to inspect underground pipes and identify tree roots in pipes before they lead to severe drain blockages. These specialised equipment tools provide real-time footage, allowing plumbers to see how invasive tree roots are affecting the drainage system.
CCTV drain camera inspections also help locate broken pipes, detect root system density, and determine whether mechanical root cutting or pipe relining work is required to repair damaged pipes.
Professional Drain Clearing Methods
Using hydro-jetting or mechanical root cutting, professional plumbers can remove tree roots from sewer pipes and stormwater drains effectively. High-pressure water jetting is a non-invasive solution that blasts away root blockages while preserving existing pipes. Mechanical root cutting breaks apart intrusive tree roots, allowing normal water flow to resume.
Clearing root invasion early prevents further damage to plumbing systems and helps restore proper flow to drainage pipes. Regular inspections and preventive maintenance can help prevent tree roots from stormwater pipes, reducing the risk of future tree root obstruction.
Effective Solutions to Remove Tree Roots from Drains
Once tree roots infiltrate stormwater drains, they must be removed before they cause permanent damage.
Hydro-Jetting: High-Pressure Water Jetting
Hydro-jetting is one of the most effective methods to clear tree roots from drains. This method involves pouring high-pressure water jets into sewer lines to remove tree roots and flush out debris without damaging existing pipes.
Drain Augers & Mechanical Root Cutting
Mechanical root-cutting tools physically remove tree roots in pipes. However, this is often a temporary fix, as root growth can return if future root intrusion is not prevented.
Root-Killing Treatments: Rock Salt and Copper Sulphate Crystals
Applying rock salt or copper sulphate crystals can kill roots inside pipes and discourage further root invasion. However, this method does not repair damaged pipes and should be used as part of a broader plumbing system maintenance plan.
Pipe Relining: A Long-Term Solution
Pipe relining work uses an epoxy resin filled liner to seal cracked and broken pipes. This trenchless repair method restores drainage pipes without excavation, preventing further tree root obstruction and ensuring a long-lasting solution.
Preventing Tree Roots from Entering Stormwater Drains
Taking proactive steps can help prevent tree roots from drains and avoid costly repairs.
Strategic Tree Planting and Non-Aggressive Root Systems
Homeowners should choose trees with non-aggressive root systems and avoid planting trees near sewer lines or stormwater pipes. Planting trees away from underground pipes reduces the risk of root intrusion.
Regular Drain Maintenance and Inspections
Routine drain inspections help detect early root growth in plumbing pipes. Unblocking drains before tree roots grow excessively prevents severe drain blockages.
Barrier Systems to Prevent Root Growth
Installing root barriers around sewer drains directs tree root growth away from the plumbing system, reducing the risk of root invasion.
Upgrading Old Pipes to Prevent Root Intrusion
Replacing outdated clay pipes with modern PVC pipes helps strengthen the drain system. Existing pipes with weak joints should be upgraded to prevent tree root obstruction.
Stop Tree Roots Before They Become a Major Problem
Tree root intrusion is a major cause of blocked stormwater drains, but early intervention can prevent costly damage. Regular inspections, professional drain clearing, and smart landscaping choices help protect your drainage system.
When tree roots threaten your stormwater drains, The Brisbane Plumbers are here to help. Contact us today for expert Blocked Stormwater Drain services and ensure your drainage system remains clear and functional.