How far do tree roots grow to get into my pipes?
Further than most people think. Roots don't stop at the edge of the tree's canopy. They spread out wherever the soil is moist, and a cracked sewer or stormwater pipe leaking water and nutrients is exactly what they're looking for. A tree on the other side of the yard, in the neighbour's garden or on the nature strip can be the one blocking your drain. Here's how roots find pipes and what you can do about it.
How roots find your pipes
- They follow moisture: roots grow towards water. A tiny leak at a pipe joint gives off moisture and nutrients that roots sense and grow towards.
- They spread wide: many trees have roots reaching well beyond the canopy, often two or more times its width, mostly in the top metre of soil where house drains run.
- They get in at joints: old clay pipes have joints every metre or so. Once a fine root gets in, it grows into a mat that catches everything flushed down.
- Sandy soil helps them: roots grow easily through loose sandy soil, which is common across the southern Eastern Suburbs.
Trees that commonly cause trouble
Large street trees
Figs, eucalypts and other big trees on nature strips have extensive root systems that reach under front yards.
Fast-growing garden trees
Willows, poplars and some palms send roots a long way in search of water.
Hedges and shrubs
Even dense hedges along a boundary can put fine roots into a nearby pipe.
The neighbour's tree
Roots don't respect fences. A blockage on your side can come from a tree next door.
What you can do
- Before planting, check where your sewer and stormwater pipes run, and keep big trees well away from them.
- If a drain blocks repeatedly, have it checked with a camera to see whether roots are the cause. See CCTV drain inspection.
- Roots can be cleared with a high-pressure jetter, and some homes use root treatments between cleans. See regular drain cleaning.
- The lasting fix is to seal the pipe so roots can't get in, by relining or replacing the damaged section.
In southern Eastern Suburbs homes
Large street trees in Matraville, Kingsford and Pagewood, sandy soil and decades-old clay pipes make root blockages one of the most common jobs we do in this area. Our tree roots in pipes guide covers the fixes in more detail.
Why locals call us
- Local to Matraville and the southern Eastern Suburbs
- Free on-site quotes, with a fixed price before any work starts
- Lifetime labour warranty on our workmanship
- 100+ five-star Google reviews
- Licensed plumbers and gasfitters (Lic. 398171C)
Common questions
How far can tree roots travel to reach pipes?
Often well beyond the canopy, commonly two or more times its width, especially in loose sandy soil.
Can my neighbour's tree block my drains?
Yes. Roots can grow under fences and into pipes on your property.
Can tree roots break pipes?
Roots usually get in through existing cracks or joints, then expand and can widen the damage over time.
How do I stop tree roots getting into my pipes?
Keep trees away from pipes, clear roots when they appear, and seal the pipe with relining or replacement for a lasting fix.
Related help: tree roots guide, pipe relining, drain jetting, regular drain cleaning and blocked drains. Local pages: blocked drains Matraville, blocked drains Kingsford, blocked drains Pagewood and blocked drains Eastgardens. Browse all our plumbing guides.