Are tree roots damaging your drains?

Have you spotted a blocked or overflowing drain outside your property? While you might think them an unlikely candidate, tree roots can cause problems for underground systems. The trick is to identify the cause of your drain issue, and if tree roots are to blame, take urgent action.

Here’s everything you need to know about tree root ingress and drains.

Can tree roots damage drains?

The health of your external drains will impact how effectively your property gets rid of rain and wastewater. Even a small crack in the system can attract more issues and increase the risk of significant problems like tree root ingress. That’s because roots are attracted to moisture or water leaking out of any gaps in the pipes.

If tree roots work their way into your underground drains, they can put pressure and strain on the structure, weakening it further, widening cracks and damaging pipes. Moreover, the roots can cause an obstruction in the system, resulting in a backup of water, which is why your drains may not be working properly or overflowing.

How to identify drain issues

Tree root ingress in drains can show itself in multiple ways. Unfortunately, roots can spread rapidly, so the problem often isn’t identified until significant damage has already occurred. That’s why it’s so important to book regular drain inspections to keep on top of their health.

Some of the most common signs of drain problems is a blockage, especially if you’ve noticed minor ones around the house in sinks and showers. You may have also noticed bad odours from your drains where waste isn’t clearing as it should. Finally, overflowing drains can cause puddles around your outside drains, especially if a pipe has collapsed due to root ingress.

The best way to get to the source of blocked drain issues is through a CCTV survey. This will produce digital footage and visibility of the affected drain system, identifying damage like cracks and leaks. If there’s a tree root that’s causing blockages, this will also be seen.

Tree roots in your drain? Here’s what to do next

Once your CCTV drain survey company has identified root ingress with 360-degree images of the internal system, a plan can be agreed upon based on the location and size of the issue.

One of the most effective solutions to remove the roots is drain jetting. Expert drain companies will often have specialist nozzles for the jet washing hose, including those designed to cut tree roots. Once roots have been successfully removed, other drain parts can be repaired.

Your drain company can advise you about preventative measures to stop the problem from recurring, including regular water jetting and CCTV surveys to catch issues early. You should also take care when deciding on the placement of new trees.

Need a CCTV drain survey? Get in touch

If you need help with your drains, contact The Drain Survey Company today. We cover London and Essex, coming out to Hampstead, Highgate and surrounding locations.

For a free quote, contact us now.