How do tree roots get into drains?

Roots enter through small cracks or joint gaps in older clay and concrete pipes, attracted by moisture and nutrients. Once inside, they grow rapidly and cause blockages.

How do you remove tree roots from drains?

We use a drain machine with cutting attachments to clear the roots, then CCTV to assess pipe damage, and pipe relining to seal cracks and prevent re-entry.

Will tree roots come back after clearing?

Yes — without pipe relining, roots will regrow through the same cracks. Relining creates a seamless barrier that roots cannot penetrate, providing a permanent fix.

Blocked Drains Caused by Tree Roots: Melbourne's Most Common Problem

Christopher Unwin
May 2
2 min read

Updated: May 3

Why Tree Roots Are Melbourne's Biggest Drain Problem

Melbourne's south-east suburbs sit on hundreds of kilometres of ageing clay sewer pipes laid in the 1950s and 60s. These pipes have joints every 900mm–1800mm — each one a potential entry point for tree roots. Roots are drawn to sewer pipes because they offer warmth, moisture, and nutrients. Even a hairline crack at a joint is enough for fine root tips to enter. Once inside, they grow — slowly at first, then progressively until the pipe is blocked.

Which Trees Are the Worst Offenders?

In Melbourne's south-east, the most problematic trees for sewer pipes are large fig species (including Port Jackson and Moreton Bay figs), willows, poplars, camphor laurels, and liquidambars. Smaller trees like bottlebrush and grevillea can also cause issues when planted directly above sewer lines. Council street trees are a frequent culprit — their roots extend well beyond the footpath and directly into ageing sewer lines.

Why Jetting Alone Won't Fix It

High-pressure jetting clears the root mass from inside the pipe and restores flow immediately. But it doesn't close the crack or joint separation that allowed roots to enter in the first place. Within weeks to months, roots regrow through the same entry point. If your drain keeps blocking in the same spot despite being jetted, you have a structural problem — not just a blockage.

The Permanent Solution — Pipe Relining

CIPP (cured-in-place pipe) relining seals the joints and cracks that roots exploit. Once a resin liner is cured inside the pipe, those entry points no longer exist — the liner creates a seamless, root-resistant internal surface. We CCTV inspect first to confirm root intrusion, jet to clear, then reline the affected section. No excavation, no surface damage, 35-year warranty.

High-Risk Suburbs in Melbourne's South-East

Suburbs with the highest rate of tree root drain problems include Caulfield, Oakleigh, Murrumbeena, Carnegie, Bentleigh, Brighton, Malvern East, and Glen Iris. If you live in an older home in any of these areas and have established trees nearby, your sewer line is at elevated risk. Call ATC Plumbing on 1300 282 758 — we carry CCTV cameras on every van.