Root Damage: Why Autumn Is When Tree Roots Cause the Most Drain Problems

If a drain keeps blocking and there is a tree nearby, tree roots may be the cause. Autumn is when many owners first notice it.

This guide explains how roots damage drains, why the problem often shows up in autumn and what you can do.

How tree roots get into drains

Roots go where they find water and nutrients. A drain carries both. A tiny crack or loose joint lets moisture escape, and roots follow it.

Once a root gets in, it grows. It thickens inside the pipe and catches paper, grease and waste. That causes blockages. Over time, roots can crack or break the pipe.

Why autumn shows the problem

Roots grow in the warmer months. Dry summers can push roots further to find water, and they can work into joints that leak. Then the autumn rain arrives. More water flows through the drains, and the partly blocked pipe can't cope. Leaves and debris add to the load.

So the damage often builds out of sight in summer and shows itself in autumn. That is why we see more calls about root problems at this time of year.

Warning signs of root damage

• Drains that block again and again in the same place
• Slow sinks, baths or toilets
• Gurgling noises in the pipes
• Bad smells from drains or gullies
• Damp or sunken patches in the garden or yard
• Cracks or movement in paths and patios
• A manhole that fills up and drains slowly

A single blockage can be a one-off. A repeat blockage suggests something is wrong with the pipe itself.

How we find the problem

We start with a CCTV drain survey. A camera goes into the pipe and shows us the roots, where they have got in and what shape the pipe is in. You get the footage, so you can see for yourself. Our CCTV survey reports with video footage cover the details.

If a drain is blocking and you don't know why, a blockage investigation finds the cause.

How roots are removed

The right method depends on how big the roots are and what state the pipe is in.

• [Root cutting](https://www.icedrainage.co.uk/drain-cleaning/root-cutting) uses a cutting head to clear roots from inside the pipe.
• [Picote milling](https://www.icedrainage.co.uk/drain-cleaning/picote-milling) is a powerful method for thick or hard roots.
• [High-pressure water jetting](https://www.icedrainage.co.uk/drain-cleaning/water-jetting) clears roots and the waste caught in them.
• [Emergency root removal](https://www.icedrainage.co.uk/emergency-drainage/root-removal) is there when a root-blocked drain can't wait.

Clearing roots is not enough on its own

Roots grow back. If you only cut them, they often return, sometimes within a year or two. The damaged pipe needs fixing so roots can't get back in.

Options include:

• Joint sealing to close gaps where roots enter
• Localised resin patch repairs for small cracks
• Drain lining and relining to seal a whole length without digging it up
• Root-damaged pipe repairs where the pipe is broken
• Drain replacement if the pipe has collapsed

Our engineers will tell you which fix suits your drain. If you don't need the bigger repair, we will say so.

How to cut your risk

• Know where your drains run before planting trees
• Keep large trees and shrubs away from drain lines
• Get an older drain surveyed, especially clay pipes with many joints
• Act on the first sign of slow drains
• Book a survey if you buy a property with mature trees. See why in our post on pre-purchase drain surveys

If a root problem is ahead of you, don't leave it for winter. Cold and wet weather makes the damage worse. See also how to prevent frozen or blocked drains before the cold hits.

Book a survey

Not sure if roots are the problem? Our free site survey is the first step. Call 0203 870 1067, email contactus@icedrainage.co.uk or get a quote today.

Related reading: drain repairs and relining.