Trees add value and beauty to your property – but if they grow near your sewer pipes, they can also cause severe issues with your sewer system. Not sure how to get rid of roots in your sewer pipe? In this blog from Wilco Plumbing, we’ll explain everything you need to know.

Why Do Tree Roots Grow Toward Sewer Pipes?

Tree roots grow toward sewer pipes if they’re cracked and damaged. Why? Because they are attracted to moisture, the waste from your home can be a potent fertilizer for trees. Because of this, tree root tendrils have an uncanny ability to seek out damaged sewer pipes, grow into cracks, and clog or damage the piping.

Common signs of tree roots in sewer pipes include slow drainage, foul odours in your home, and highly green or rapidly growing vegetation above your sewer line. If you suspect your sewer line is damaged, you need to call a plumber immediately.

Sewer Line Work Is Not A DIY Project – Hire A Professional Plumber In Sydney

It would be best if you did not attempt any work on your sewer line yourself. Calling a professional is the best option – so contact an experienced professional plumbing company in Sydney, such as Wilco Plumbing, as soon as you notice the issue.

How Do Plumbers Kill Tree Roots In Sewer Pipes?

Are you wondering how your plumber will kill and remove the tree roots in your pipe and remove them? Here are a few standard techniques used by plumbers.

Mechanical auger

In this method, your plumber will use a power drill sent down the sewer line and into your drainage system. It uses a reciprocating head that looks like a saw blade to cut the roots into pieces. However, the roots will still grow back.

Hydro jetting

This treatment uses mighty, pressurized water jets. This water stream cuts through the roots and destroys them. Again, the roots may begin to grow back after they are removed.

Chemical tree root removal

To truly kill the roots and prevent the root system from growing back into your pipes, a chemical root killer like copper sulphate can be flushed down the toilet or applied directly into the drain pipe with specialized tools.

This kills the roots and inhibits future root growth, so chemical agents are often used alongside an auger or hydro-jetting in sewer cleaning to eliminate the seeds.

Open digging

Sometimes, the pipe may need to be completely dug up using a backhoe or similar equipment. This will destroy the root structure and eliminate roots in your sewer.

In addition, if your sewer line is cracked or damaged due to a tree root system, it may need to be dug up and replaced. Relining, which involves using advanced resin to repair pipes from the inside, maybe a less expensive option.

Got Sewer Line Issues In Sydney? Wilco Plumbing Is Here To Help!

A damaged sewer line is a severe issue in Sydney and can even be a health and safety hazard to your family. So if you suspect tree roots have damaged your sewer line, don’t wait. Call Wilco Plumbing right away.

To get started, contact us online or call usat (02) 9186 3371. Our professional plumbers in Sydney can identify the issue, determine the best option for clearing the clog, destroy the rots, and reline your sewer pipe so the problem doesn’t happen again.