Tree Root in Drains: The Invisible Threat Costing You Thousands

How Tree Roots in Drains Destroy Plumbing From the Inside

Melbourne’s older homes-especially in places like Hawthorn, Essendon, and Brunswick-are built on a maze of clay pipes. These pipes are sealed at 2.5-feet intervals using rubber rings. Over time, those seals wear out. And when trees are starved for water during dry spells, they do what nature intended-they hunt for moisture.

Sewage pipes are a perfect source.

The roots find even the smallest crack, push in, and start growing inside the pipe. They trap waste, slow down water flow, and create blockages. And once you cut them, they come back even faster and stronger.

A Tree Root in Drains Case Study: From Jetting to Relining

We had a job in Malvern East just last week. The customer had spent over $25,000 with us last year fixing their boundary trap and gully. At the time, we told them there were still roots in the middle section of the pipe and that it’d need attention eventually.

This year, it blocked up again. Gurgling drains, slow flushes, the usual symptoms. Our tech went out, confirmed the middle section had tree root regrowth, and recommended relining.

It was the right call-and it would’ve been cheaper if we’d done it a year earlier.

Why Relining Works For Tree Roots in Drains (and When It Doesn’t)

Relining is trenchless. We insert a resin-coated sleeve into the pipe, inflate it, and cure it into a new solid pipe inside the old one. No joins. No gaps. That means no way for roots to sneak back in.

We can reline 1 to 50 metres of pipe. It’s fast, efficient, and causes minimal disruption.

But if the pipe has already collapsed and we can’t get a camera through, relining is no longer an option. At that point, you’re looking at full excavation-and that’s when the job gets really expensive.

What Gurgling Really Means

One of the best early warning signs of tree root blockages is gurgling drains. If your toilet bubbles after you flush, or water in the bowl rises instead of going down, your sewer is full. There’s nowhere for the water-or air-to go.

Another sign is slow drainage or foul smells. That’s sewer gas trying to escape through your fixtures.

If you catch it early, we can clear it and reline before the pipe collapses. Wait too long, and you’ll be looking at five figures for excavation.

Blocked Drains Don’t Fix Themselves

Tree roots are relentless. They’ll come back again and again if you don’t fix the access point. Jetting is a temporary solution. Relining is the long-term one.

If your drains are gurgling or backing up, don’t wait. We’ll do a full camera inspection, show you what’s going on, and give you options-short-term relief or permanent fix. Your choice. But the longer you wait, the more it’ll cost.