Tree Roots in Sewer Pipes: Why Foothills Drains Block
Why roots get into Ferntree Gully's older clay sewers and how to stop them coming back.
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How roots get in
Older homes in Ferntree Gully mostly have earthenware sewer pipes made in short lengths with a joint every metre or so. Over decades, ground movement and settling open tiny gaps at those joints. Warm, moist air and a trickle of nutrient-rich water escape through the gaps, and roots from nearby trees and shrubs grow towards them. Once a fine root gets inside, it thrives, and within a few years it can fill the pipe.
Signs of root trouble
Gurgling toilets, a slow shower, water rising in the overflow gully outside after the washing machine empties, and blockages that come back every few months are typical. Blockages often get worse in summer, when roots search harder for water.
Clearing roots
We cut roots out with an electric eel fitted with a cutting head, then flush the line with a high-pressure jetter. That restores flow quickly, but it does not stop roots growing back.
Stopping them for good
A camera inspection after clearing shows where roots entered and whether the pipe is cracked or sagging. If the pipe is in reasonable shape, relining seals the joints from the inside, usually without digging. If a section has collapsed, it may need to be dug up and replaced.
Planting near drains
When planting new trees, keep them well away from the sewer line. Ask us to locate it first if you are not sure where it runs.
Ferntree Gully ground and pipes
Ferntree Gully's ground changes as you climb towards the ranges: clay and silty loam on the lower streets, rockier, steeper ground near Upper Ferntree Gully and The Basin. Most homes built before the 1980s were connected with earthenware sewer pipe, and on a slope every joint moves a little over the years and lets roots in. Water service lines from the meter are often long and run through rocky ground or under established gardens. Stormwater has to be carried down the block and away from the house. We use cameras, locators and pressure tests to see what is happening before we dig.
Related services
- Emergency plumbing
- Blocked drains
- Hot water
- Gas fitting
- Hot water replacement
- Heat pumps
- Leaking taps
- Burst pipes
- Toilets
- Leak detection
- Pipe relining
- Stormwater
- Roof and gutters
- Bathrooms
- Kitchens and laundries
- Backflow and maintenance
More guides
Questions on this topic
Will root killer stop roots in my drain?
Chemical treatments may slow regrowth for a while, but they do not seal the gap that let roots in. Relining or repairing the damaged section is the lasting fix.
Can relining be done under a tree?
Yes. Relining works from inside the pipe, so there is usually no need to dig near the tree.
Why foothills homes call us
Foothills know-how
Sloping blocks, big gums, clay sewers and gas heaters from the 1970s: this is the plumbing we work on every day.
Price first, work second
A licensed plumber finds the fault and agrees a fixed price with you before anything starts.
Camera, not guesswork
Drain cameras, pressure gauges and leak detection tools show the real cause before we dig or replace.
Respect for your home
Boot covers, drop sheets, old parts taken away and the job tested with you.
Get a free quote
Tell us what is going on and a licensed Ferntree Gully plumber will call you back.
How quoting works
Ring 03 7036 4101 or send the form with a short note, and a photo if you have one. A licensed plumber calls you back, asks a few questions and books a time. On site they find the cause, explain your options and give you a fixed price. Nothing starts until you agree, and larger jobs get a free written quote.
Need a plumber in Ferntree Gully?
Ferntree Gully, Upper Ferntree Gully, Boronia, Rowville, Knoxfield and the Knox foothills. Quote-only: the plumber finds the fault, then gives you a fixed price.