14 signs & risks of tree roots in stormwater pipes.
Blocked Drainage Canberra Sewer
We clear stormwater pipes across Canberra – Belconnen, Gungahlin, Queanbeyan, Tuggeranong, Woden – same day
We can help with all your blocked stormwater drain systems in Canberra by using an eel or hydro-jetting to clear tree roots. Call 0448 844 911 to remove tree roots from your drain today.
Blocked stormwater pipes are a major contributor to flooding during storms. They contribute to subsidence and structural damage and create health risks. Once tree roots get into pipes, they can cause chokes and blockages in cement and concrete stormwater pipes, clay stormwater pipes and plastic stormwater pipes.
Blocked drain Canberra signs & risks of tree roots in stormwater
Our Stormwater drain cleaning experts in Canberra and Queanbeyan say these are 14 signs of tree roots in stormwater drains
- Dampness under the house;
- Dampness in basements and other rooms below external ground level;
- Water flowing out of stormwater pits;
- Water bubbling out of the ground, externally or in the basement and subfloor areas;
- Overflowing roof gutters and leaking downpipes;
- Subsidence and cracks in walls;
- Mould and mildew;
- Sinkholes in lawns and gardens;
- Sunken paving;
- Overflowing rainwater tanks;
- Rainwater tanks that are not filling;
- Cracked driveways and paths;
- Termites; and
- Rotting timber.
Stormwater pits and channels are designed to take rainwater away. Sometimes, tree root blockages cause nutrient-rich water to flood out of the pit, allowing it to rise and enter buildings or flood floor spaces beneath them. This can cause severe damage to floor linings, contribute to subsidence, and promote mould growth.
Tree roots in stormwater drains can stop water from the roof gutters and downpipes from draining away. This can lead to rainwater flooding from roof gutters back into roof spaces and eaves.
Stormwater pipes installed before 1980 are likely to be made of concrete with a joint every 600mm. Joints are the easiest places for roots to enter your stormwater drain, especially when the pipes have moved or degraded over time. When older concrete stormwater pipes block with tree roots, rainwater will leak from the joints. These leaks can cause subsidence and contribute to mould growth.
Subsoil drains (or ag drains) are full of small holes designed to collect groundwater and channel it away from your house and into the stormwater drainage. When a subsoil drain is connected to a stormwater drain that is blocked or choked with tree roots, rainwater will likely flow out of the subsoil drain. This can cause flooding in basements and other rooms that are below ground level. The result may be subsidence and movement of the house’s foundations, damage to floor coverings and stored items, and mould.
Tree roots can also cause blockages in UPVC (plastic) stormwater drains. Tree roots may enter the pipes at joints, and large tree roots can squash drains, restricting the amount of water that can flow through them and collecting leaves, dirt, and other debris.
What are the 9 risks associated with blocked stormwater drains?
- Health issues from mould and mildew;
- Subsidence and cracking of walls, slabs and foundations;
- Rotting of structural timbers;
- Rising damp;
- Termites and the presence of other bugs;
- Swelling timber;
- Overflowing roof gutters;
- Flooding;
- Damage to stored goods.
Clearing tree roots from stormwater drains is fast and easy with the right equipment and experience. Tree root blockages in UPVC (plastic) and clay stormwater pipes, and clearing tree roots effectively, can be done with an electric eel or a high-pressure water jet blaster.
Cement and concrete pipes from the pre-1980s are very fragile. Regardless of how careful the plumber is, water jetters and electric eels can sometimes worsen the damage already caused by tree roots invading your drains. Precautionary root clearing, rather than waiting for a large blockage, can reduce the likelihood of further damaging pipes.
Our aim is to keep our customers’ costs down, and we will always try to clear a drain before recommending a replacement. However, given that tree roots regrow very quickly in stormwater drains, which are already quite fragile, owners should consider the benefits of repairing or replacing them with heavy-duty UPVC piping.
- Blocked drains, Canberra tree roots in sewers, signs and risks
- Learn more about the 14 signs and 9 risks of tree roots in sewer drains
We can help with stormwater drain cleaning, replacement and repairs at affordable prices.
Call 0448 844 911
14 signs & risks of tree roots in stormwater pipes.
We clear stormwater pipes across Canberra – Belconnen, Gungahlin, Queanbeyan, Tuggeranong, Woden – same day