Tree roots in sewer pipes: why it happens and how it is fixed
Roots don't smash pipes; they find a weak joint and grow in. The trees Sydney Water says to keep away from pipes, and how roots are cleared so they stay out.
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Key takeaways
- Roots get into sewer pipes through small cracks and tired joints, looking for nutrients, and Sydney Water says they are the most common cause of sewer blockages.
- Sydney Water lists camphor laurel, large gums, figs, jacarandas, liquidambars, willows, bamboo and she-oaks among the trees to keep away from wastewater pipes.
- Cutting or jetting clears the roots but leaves the way in open. Patching, relining or replacing the damaged section is what stops them returning.
- Roots in your own pipes are your responsibility, and so are roots that get into Sydney Water's junction at your point of connection.
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