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Writer's pictureAmelie Lawrence

How Can You Successfully Remove Tree Roots From Drainage Pipes?

Updated: Dec 5, 2023

While you are still wondering what the possible cause of drain blockage might be, you would not even wonder that tree roots can also be an obstruction in their way. Tree roots in pipes are a very common factor contributing to drain blockage. You can try several home remedies to remove that, but this would not always work. At times, you have to seek professional help to get your drainage system in place. Also, we also imagine sometimes that how there can be a entry of tree roots in pipes.


So, with time, what happens is that your pipes fitting becomes old, and loose. Therefore, the roots get the chance to enter your pipeline, and trees are usually growing to places where they find water and mineral easily. When the roots enter, they are small. However, their size grows while leaving your drainage system blocked with time. Hopefully, we are now thinking about what are the remedies for the situation. Here is a list of home remedies that can be used by the homeowner in case of the tree roots attacking their drainage system-

Tree roots in drains
Tree roots in drains


Rock Salt

Rock Salt can be used to kill the roots which are interrupting your pipe, whereas in case you are using it in excess, then you might end up destroying the whole tree instead of just killing the tree roots in pipes. But this is only a short-term solution. In the long term, rock salt won't be enough to destroy the roots. Rock Salt is considered to be a safe solution.


Copper sulphate

Copper sulphate is more like Rock salt, which can be easily used in case of destroying the roots. It is a safe solution that can also provide the solution only for the short term.


Both the remedies listed above are used for the short term, but there has to be a permanent solution for it which can certainly not be done through your DIY approach. You need to hire a professional plumber who can solve your problem. A common man would not have all of the tools and equipment which a plumber possesses. And there is a technique to use those tools and equipment which only a plumber knows. They might also use a CCTV camera to survey your drain and realise where are the roots blocking the drain. Accordingly, the team of professionals comes up with strategies and plans to remove the roots from the drainage system.


The most common tool which is used by the professionals are as follows

Mechanical Rooter

And after the removal of roots, the part of the pipe which has been destroyed due to roots also has to be replaced to make your drainage system work properly without disrupting the other household chores.


Final Overview

While the roots have entered your pipes, you also need to reline your pipes. Once the roots enter the pipe, they destroy it from the inside, which has to be corrected in order to ensure that the drainage system is working properly. This can only be done by a professional or a team of professionals. You might end up wasting your time by trying to do it on your own.


Why not spend time with your family and let the professionals handle the work? They will get the work done very quickly that too at your convenience. Tree roots in pipes is a serious issue that has to be resolved immediately, and if any delay took place for correcting it, then you might have to replace your whole piping system, which can cost a lot.

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