Do Tree Roots Cause Drain Blockages?
In some cases, tree roots can cause drain blockages and damaged pipes. For effective treatment, you need to first establish whether tree roots are the cause and exactly where the blockage is so that you can eradicate the root from the drain.
In this article, we’ll explore what root ingress is, along with how to identify and treat it.
What is root ingress?
Root ingress is when tree roots grow inside your drainage system. This can potentially have a detrimental effect, causing blockages and damaging pipes.
Ingress occurs when roots are on the hunt for moisture and may detect any leaks or cracks in your pipework, pushing their way in to get water. Once inside the pipe, they will begin growing bigger, blocking the drain and expanding any existing cracks.
What are the signs of root ingress?
The signs of root ingress may not be obvious. Problems may present themselves as simply a blocked drain, with signs including sluggish draining, a backup of water, odd gurgling sounds, unpleasant smells and damp spots around your home. If the afflicted drain is outside, then sinkholes, standing water or boggy conditions may appear.
If trees are growing nearby, you may suspect a tree root as the culprit. However, you can only pinpoint the precise cause and location of the blockage with a CCTV drain survey from a professional. Let’s take a closer look at how this works.
How can roots in drains be detected?
An expert drainage company should be able to provide a CCTV drain survey to establish exactly where the blockage is, what the cause is and how to remedy it.
Here at MPH Drain Services, we feed small state-of-the-art cameras into your drainage network to assess its condition. These surveys can spot root ingress, cracked pipes, other types of blockages, damage or even pests.
It is well worth having a drain survey on a yearly basis or whenever you suspect issues, as it allows you to address them quickly before they worsen. Footage can also support your home insurance claims.
How to remove roots from drains
Depending on the severity and location of the root, our experts will recommend specific solutions.
One method is drain jetting, which uses high-pressure water to blast through blockages and remove the obstruction. Root cutting may also be enough to get rid of the problem.
In more severe cases, where roots are too established for drain jetting to be effective, the afflicted sections of pipe should be removed and replaced with new ones.
How to prevent root ingress
Here are three things you can do to reduce the likelihood of root ingress.
- If you are buying a home for the first time, a home buyer’s CCTV drain survey can assess the condition of your drains before you move in, allowing for any issues to be addressed prior to you living there. In addition, a yearly CCTV drain survey is recommended for any homeowner, as you can quickly establish the health of your drains and solve any developing problems in a timely manner.
- Root ingress can be combatted with root cutting. Applying a patch liner at the root ingress point of entry can prevent the root from growing again.
- If you’re planting new trees, consider their location and make sure they are not too close to any drains.
Overall, the best thing you can do to prevent root ingress is to be vigilant and take advantage of CCTV drain surveys.
Enjoy free call-out charges and affordable services with MPH Drain Solutions. We’re the go-to drainage company for Yorkshire and beyond, providing a comprehensive service that includes drain jetting, CCTV surveys and pipe replacement. Get in touch for some friendly advice.
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