Blocked Basin
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If your bathroom or kitchen sink drains slower than usual, the problem might be more than just a few tufts of hair and food particles.
Tree Roots in Drains or Pipes
G★★★★★
4.6 · 2,000+ Google reviews
4.6 · 2,000+ Google reviews
Tree roots are one of the most common causes of recurring blocked drains, creeping into small cracks and joints and growing until they trap everything. Clearing them is only half the job, the pipe needs sealing so they cannot return.
Our licensed plumbers locate the roots with a drain camera, clear them with high-pressure jetting, and repair the pipe, across Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
Why choose Same Day Trades for tree root removal?
We are local, licensed and insured plumbers who do this work every day, so we get it right the first time, with no mess and no surprises on the invoice.
- Fully licensed and insured plumbers
- Upfront fixed pricing before we start
- Same-day service where we can, with 24/7 phones
- Workmanship guaranteed and the job left clean
- Servicing Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide
Whatever the job, you get honest advice and a tidy, professional result.
Why tree roots invade your drains
Tree roots are one of the most common and destructive causes of drain problems in Australian homes. Roots are naturally drawn to the moisture, nutrients and oxygen inside your drain pipes, and they seek out the smallest crack, loose joint or gap in a pipe to get in. Once inside, they thrive on the constant supply of water and waste, growing rapidly and spreading through the pipe. Even a tiny entry point is enough, and roots can travel a surprising distance underground to reach a drain. This is why drains near established trees, and older pipes with ageing joints, are especially prone to root invasion, which only gets worse the longer it is left.
Signs of tree roots in your pipes
Tree roots in your drains often show these signs:
- Recurring blockages that keep coming back no matter how often you clear them
- Slow-draining sinks, showers, baths or toilets
- Gurgling sounds from drains or the toilet
- Bad or sewage smells from drains or in the yard
- Sewage backing up into fixtures
- Soggy, lush or sunken patches in the lawn over a drain line
The hallmark of a root problem is a blockage that keeps returning, because clearing it removes the roots in the pipe but not the ones still growing in through the entry point.
Why roots cause recurring blockages
The frustrating thing about tree roots is that they keep coming back. When roots grow into a pipe, they form a fibrous mass that catches toilet paper, grease and waste flowing past, building into a blockage. Clearing that blockage, with a drain machine or jetter, removes the roots inside the pipe and gets things flowing again, but it does not remove the roots still growing in through the crack or joint, which simply regrow and re-block the pipe over weeks or months. This is why a drain that keeps blocking despite repeated clearing almost always has a root problem, and why the only lasting solution is to seal the entry point so roots can no longer get in.
How roots damage pipes
Tree roots do not just block pipes, they damage them. As roots grow and thicken inside a pipe, they exert pressure that widens the original crack or joint they entered through, and over time this can crack the pipe further, misalign joints, and eventually lead to a partial or full collapse. A small root intrusion left unchecked can turn a minor crack into a seriously damaged or broken pipe that needs major repair. This is why dealing with roots early, while the damage is limited, is far cheaper than waiting until the pipe has been cracked open or crushed. Catching and resolving a root problem early can save a pipe that would otherwise need replacing.
Finding tree roots with a camera
The best way to confirm and assess a root problem is to see inside the pipe with a CCTV drain camera. We feed a waterproof camera through the drain and view a live feed, so we can see exactly where the roots have entered, how extensive they are, and the condition of the pipe, whether it is cracked, misaligned or starting to collapse. The camera pinpoints the location and depth of the problem, so any repair can be targeted precisely. You can see the footage yourself, so you understand the extent of the root intrusion and why the recommended repair is needed. Every serious root problem should start with a camera inspection.
Clearing tree roots from drains
The first step in dealing with roots is clearing the existing intrusion to restore flow, and we use professional equipment to do it thoroughly. A high-pressure water jetter is particularly effective, cutting through roots and scouring the pipe walls clean, far more completely than an old mechanical cutter. A drain machine (electric eel) with a cutting head can also cut and clear roots. Jetting cleans the pipe right back to the walls, removing the root mass and the debris it has trapped. But clearing alone is only a temporary fix if the entry point is left open, which is why we follow it with a solution that stops the roots returning.
Stopping roots for good with pipe relining
The only way to permanently solve a tree root problem is to seal the cracks and joints the roots use to get in, and the best way to do that without digging up your yard is pipe relining. After we jet the pipe clean and remove the roots, a resin liner is inserted into the existing pipe and cured in place to form a strong, seamless new pipe inside the old one. Because the liner is jointless and seals every crack, there is no longer any gap for roots to re-enter, so the recurring blockages stop for good. Relining lasts 50 years or more, avoids excavation, and breaks the cycle of repeat root blockages that clearing alone never will.
Excavation for severe root damage
Where tree roots have already cracked a pipe badly, misaligned joints, or caused a partial or full collapse, relining may not be possible, and the damaged section needs to be excavated and replaced. While more disruptive, this is sometimes the only reliable fix for a pipe that roots have seriously damaged, and done properly it restores the drain to as-new condition. We locate the damaged section precisely with the camera first, so we dig only where needed, minimising disruption, and reinstate the surface afterwards. We will always tell you honestly whether a no-dig reline will solve your root problem or whether the damage is severe enough to need excavation, so you are not paying for unnecessary digging.
Root removal vs root killing chemicals
Some products claim to kill tree roots in drains with chemicals flushed down the toilet, but these are at best a temporary, partial measure. They may kill some root growth inside the pipe, but they do not repair the crack or joint the roots are entering through, so roots regrow, and the dead root matter can even add to blockages. They also do nothing for the pipe damage the roots have already caused. The only genuine, lasting solution is to physically clear the roots and seal the entry points, which chemicals cannot do. We provide a real fix, clearing the roots and relining the pipe, rather than a short-term chemical patch that leaves the underlying problem in place.
Preventing tree root problems
If you have large trees near your drain lines, there are ways to reduce the risk of root problems. Be mindful of where you plant trees and large shrubs relative to known drain and sewer lines, choosing less aggressive species and keeping them well clear. For existing trees near drains, periodic camera inspections and preventive jetting keep roots in check before they cause a blockage or damage the pipe. If a pipe is already relined, roots cannot re-enter that section. Catching root intrusion early, through regular checks, means it can be cleared while minor, rather than after it has blocked or broken the pipe. We can set up preventive checks for at-risk drains.
How much does root removal cost?
The cost depends on the extent of the roots, the length and location of the affected pipe, how accessible it is, and the fix needed. Clearing a root blockage by jetting is far cheaper than relining or excavating a damaged pipe, but clearing alone is only temporary. A camera inspection lets us give an accurate, upfront fixed price, because we know exactly what is involved before quoting. No-dig relining to permanently stop the roots is often cheaper overall than excavation once reinstating driveways and landscaping is counted. We explain the options and costs clearly, so you can choose between a cheaper temporary clear and a lasting fix that stops the roots for good.
Recurring blockages mean roots
If there is one message to take away, it is that a drain which keeps blocking despite repeated clearing almost certainly has a tree root problem, and clearing it yet again is not the answer. Each clear costs money and buys only a few weeks or months before the roots regrow and re-block the pipe. Rather than pay to clear the same drain over and over, it is more cost-effective, and far less frustrating, to investigate the cause with a camera and fix it properly by clearing the roots and sealing the entry point with relining. If your drain keeps blocking, let us find out why and stop it for good, rather than treating the symptom repeatedly.
Same-day and emergency service
A root-blocked drain, especially a sewer backing up, is urgent and unpleasant, so we treat it as a priority. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, and we can usually get a licensed plumber to you the same day across Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. We arrive with jetters, drain machines and cameras to clear the roots, inspect the pipe and diagnose the extent of the problem in one visit, with an upfront fixed price. If sewage is backing up, call us straight away and we will get to you as fast as possible to clear it, then advise on a lasting fix so the roots do not keep returning.
Licensed, guaranteed drain plumbers
Dealing with tree roots properly takes the right equipment, jetters, cameras and relining gear, and a licensed plumber who not only clears the roots but fixes the cause so they do not come back. Our team is fully licensed and insured, we clear the roots, inspect the pipe, and reline or repair it to seal the entry points, and we back our work. You get honest advice on a temporary clear versus a lasting fix, upfront fixed pricing, and an end to the recurring blockages. For a plumber near you for tree roots in drains, we cover Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
Tree roots in drains FAQs
How do I know if tree roots are in my drains?
Signs include recurring blockages, gurgling drains, bad smells, low pressure, a high water bill, and wet or lush patches in the yard.
How do you remove tree roots from drains?
We locate them with a CCTV camera, then clear them with high-pressure jetting or a mechanical cutter, and repair the pipe so they cannot return.
Why do tree roots keep coming back?
Because they enter through cracks and loose joints in the pipe. Clearing them alone is temporary, the pipe needs sealing or relining to stop them.
Can tree roots be stopped permanently?
Largely, yes, by relining or repairing the damaged pipe so roots have no entry point. Regular maintenance helps too.
Will I have to dig up my yard?
Usually not. No-dig pipe relining repairs most root-damaged pipes without excavation, provided the pipe is not fully collapsed.
How much does tree root removal cost?
It depends on the extent and whether the pipe needs relining or repair. We give a fixed price after a camera inspection.
Do I need to remove the tree?
Not usually. Sealing the pipe stops roots entering, so you can often keep the tree. We will advise if a tree is a persistent problem.
Do you offer same-day service?
Yes. We can usually inspect and clear tree-root blockages the same day across Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
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What our customers say?
Why choose us?
Trusted Tradesmen
With hundreds of 5 star reviews, we’re the local tradesmen you can trust.
Transparent Pricing
We make sure you know exactly what you are paying for ahead of time.
Licensed And Insured
You’re in safe hands as our tradesmen are fully licensed and insured to do your job.
Workmanship Guarantee
Our work will be free of defects in workmanship and workmanship will be warranted for life.
Convenient Bookings
We offer convenient booking times that can be worked around your schedule.
Available All Hours
We take calls 24 hours a day and 365 days a year so that we’re always available to be of service.
Trusted Tradesmen
With hundreds of 5 star reviews, we’re the local tradesmen you can trust.
Transparent Pricing
We make sure you know exactly what you are paying for ahead of time.
Licensed And Insured
You’re in safe hands as our tradesmen are fully licensed and insured to do your job.
Workmanship Guarantee
Our work will be free of defects in workmanship and workmanship will be warranted for life.
Convenient Bookings
We offer convenient booking times that can be worked around your schedule.
Available All Hours
We take calls 24 hours a day and 365 days a year so that we’re always available to be of service.