If you’ve ever noticed a slow-moving drain, or worse yet, an overflowing toilet, you’re probably dealing with a pipe blockage. One of the most common causes of blocked pipes is tree roots that have grown into your pipes. While this can be a daunting problem to deal with, there are some simple steps you can take to remove the tree roots and keep them out of your pipes for good. Let’s take a look at each step in detail.

Locate the Blockage

The first step is to determine the location of the blockage. If you have access to your home’s plumbing system, start by inspecting all of your pipes for signs of damage or leakage. You may also want to call a plumber to help you locate any potential problems. If you find any damages, it could indicate that tree roots have begun growing into your drains.

Once you’ve identified where the blockage is located, it’s time to move on to step two.

Try Unclogging with Hot Water and Vinegar

The next step is to see if you can unclog your pipes without having to resort to drastic measures such as digging up your yard or replacing entire sections of piping. To do this, mix equal parts hot water and vinegar together in a pot and pour it down the affected drainpipe. Be careful not to use boiling water, as it could cause more damage than good! Allow this mixture to sit overnight before flushing out with cold water in the morning. This should help dissolve some of the tree roots and help clear out the blockage slightly.

Call in a Professional Plumber

If these methods don’t work, then it might be time for more extreme measures such as calling in an experienced plumber who specialises in removing tree roots from drainpipes. A professional plumber will be able to assess the situation accurately and use specialised tools such as pumps or augers (a long metal device) to break apart clumps of tree root material blocking up your drains and clear out any debris that has built up over time.

At Simoes Plumbing, we specialise in all your general and gas plumbing needs – from blocked drains and solar water heating system maintenance to gas heating, carbon monoxide testing, downpipe replacements and more.

Preventing Tree Roots From Growing Back   

Now that you have removed any existing problems caused by pesky tree roots, it’s important that you take measures to ensure they don’t come back! One way to do this is by cleaning out your drains regularly with an enzyme cleaner, as this will prevent any build-up from forming over time (which could attract additional tree roots growth in the future).

Additionally, be sure that all trees near your home’s drainage system are pruned at least once per year, as long branches can easily find their way into cracks or joints of the pipe and cause issues later down the line. Finally, make sure that any holes or cracks leading directly into your pipe system are repaired immediately, as these can provide an opening for new growths as well.

Ready to get started?

Tree roots can be a huge headache when it comes to plumbing issues, but thankfully there are ways around them. By following our guide above, you should be able to keep those pesky plants at bay for good!