Tree roots in a drain pipe enter through tiny cracks and loose joints in underground plumbing, then grow rapidly inside the pipe where moisture and nutrients are abundant. Once established, they trap waste and debris until the drain blocks completely.
Adelaide’s older suburbs are especially vulnerable. With nearly a decade of experience servicing homes across the Adelaide metropolitan area, Exceed Plumbing diagnoses and removes tree roots from sewer and stormwater drains using CCTV inspection and hydrojetting. This guide covers how roots get into your pipes, the warning signs, what you can do, professional solutions, and how to prevent them from coming back.
Why Tree Roots Target Your Drain Pipes
Tree roots are not aggressive by nature. They simply follow moisture, oxygen, and nutrients through the soil. Your sewer and stormwater pipes provide all three.
I have been clearing root-damaged drains across Adelaide for years, and it is consistently the leading cause of serious drain blockages in this city. According to SA Water, tree roots were behind almost two-thirds of sewer main blockages in 2024 to 2025, with total sewer blockages climbing to 5,132 that year. SA Water spends approximately $5 million annually on root-related maintenance and repairs across its 9,000 km sewer network.
Most Adelaide homes built before the 1980s have clay or earthenware sewer pipes. These were installed in short sections, typically 300mm to 600mm long, joined with cement mortar. Over 40 to 70 years, those joints crack, shift, and crumble. Every deteriorated joint becomes a potential entry point. Modern PVC pipes have far fewer joints and are much more resistant, but most established Adelaide suburbs still have the original clay infrastructure underground.
How Tree Roots Get into Drain Pipes
Roots do not force their way in. They follow a predictable sequence that starts small and escalates over time. Understanding each stage helps you recognise the problem before it becomes a full blockage:
Moisture Leaks Through Cracks and Joints
Even a hairline crack or a slightly displaced joint leaks tiny amounts of moisture into the surrounding soil. Roots detect this moisture gradient and grow toward it.
Fine Root Tendrils Enter the Opening
The initial entry is microscopic. Fine feeder roots slip through gaps that are only millimetres wide. At this stage, you would notice nothing wrong with your drains.
Roots Expand Inside the Pipe
Once inside, roots find an ideal growing environment: constant water, nutrients from waste, and protection from the elements. Thin tendrils can grow into thick masses within months.
The Root Mass Traps Waste and Blocks Flow
As roots fill the pipe, they catch toilet paper, grease, soap, and other debris. Flow slows, then stops. The drain backs up into the house or overflows in the yard.
Roots Crack the Pipe Further
Growing roots exert pressure on pipe walls. Cracks widen. Joints separate further. In severe cases, roots can completely crush and collapse old clay pipes.
Warning Signs of Tree Roots in Your Drains
Catching root intrusion early saves significant repair costs. The signs are often subtle at first but become harder to ignore as the root mass grows. If you notice any of the following, tree roots may already be inside your pipes:
Recurring Blockages
The drain blocks get cleared, then block again within weeks or months. This repeat pattern is the most reliable indicator of root intrusion. DIY clearing provides temporary relief but does not remove the roots.
Slow Drainage Across Multiple Fixtures
When the toilet, shower, and sinks all drain slowly at the same time, the blockage is in the main sewer line, not an individual drain. Tree roots in the main line are the most common cause.
Gurgling Sounds
Air trapped by a partial root blockage causes gurgling from drains or toilets when water tries to flow past. You may hear it when the washing machine drains or after flushing.
Sewage Smells in the Yard or Bathroom
Roots breaking into the pipe can let sewer gas escape into the surrounding soil. You may smell it in your yard or even inside the house through floor drains.
Wet Patches or Unusually Green Grass
A cracked pipe leaking underground creates lush growth directly above it. If one patch of lawn is consistently greener than the rest, there may be a leaking pipe below.
Quick Reference: Warning Signs
| Sign | What It Suggests | Urgency |
| Recurring blockages | Roots regrowing after clearing | High |
| Multiple slow drains | Main sewer line obstruction | High |
| Gurgling sounds | Partial blockage trapping air | Medium |
| Sewage smells outdoors | Cracked pipe leaking gas | Medium |
| Green patch in the lawn | Underground pipe leak | Medium |
| Sewage is backing up indoors | Complete blockage or collapse | Emergency |
Which Adelaide Suburbs Are Most Affected?
Adelaide’s combination of mature trees and ageing clay pipes makes certain suburbs significantly more prone to root intrusion than others across the metro area:
Tree-Lined Inner Suburbs
Burnside, Unley, Norwood, Mitcham, and Prospect are famous for their established tree canopies. Many of these trees are 50 to 100 years old with root systems extending 10 to 20 metres from the trunk. Your drain pipes run right through that root zone.
Adelaide Hills Properties
Stirling, Blackwood, and Mount Barker have native eucalyptus and gum trees with aggressive, water-seeking root systems. These roots spread widely and penetrate even small openings in drainage pipes.
Worst Offender Tree Species in Adelaide
Not all trees cause equal problems. Some species have root systems that are far more aggressive in seeking water and penetrating pipe joints. In Adelaide, the biggest culprits include:
| Tree Species | Root Behaviour | Common In |
| Eucalyptus / Gum | Spreads widely, aggressively seeks water | Hills suburbs, throughout the metro |
| English Elm | Deep, extensive root system | Norwood, Burnside street trees |
| Moreton Bay Fig | Massive root spread, very destructive | Older established gardens |
| London Plane Tree | Aggressive surface and subsurface roots | Council street plantings |
| Willow | Extremely water-seeking | Near creeks and waterways |
In some suburbs like Norwood and Burnside, many problem trees are heritage-listed or council-protected street trees. You cannot simply remove them. Solutions must work around the trees.
Can You Remove Tree Roots from Drain Pipes Yourself?
Some homeowners attempt DIY root removal before calling a plumber. Here is an honest look at what works, what does not, and what can make things worse:
Methods with Limited Effectiveness
Rock salt or copper sulphate flushed down the toilet can kill small roots inside the pipe. However, they do not fix the crack or joint where the roots entered. New roots grow back within months. Copper sulphate is also unsuitable for septic systems and can harm the tree itself.
Methods That Risk Pipe Damage
Chemical drain cleaners containing caustic soda or sulfuric acid can corrode clay pipe joints and deteriorate PVC fittings. A hand-held drain snake may provide temporary relief for minor intrusion, but lacks the cutting power to remove established root masses. Forcing a snake through heavy roots can also puncture fragile clay pipes.
What DIY Cannot Fix
DIY methods cannot seal the entry point. As long as the crack or displaced joint remains, roots will return. Killing the roots inside the pipe is a temporary measure. The only permanent solutions involve professional root cutting followed by pipe relining or replacement.
If your drains keep blocking despite repeated clearing, the issue is structural. At Exceed Plumbing, we recommend a CCTV inspection as the first step to understand the full extent of the problem before spending money on temporary fixes.
More: 9 Proven Tips for Clearing Blocked Drains
How a Licensed Plumber Removes Tree Roots from Drains
Professional root removal follows a structured process that goes well beyond what DIY can achieve. Each step builds on the previous one, starting with diagnosis and ending with a permanent fix that stops roots from returning:
CCTV Drain Camera Inspection
A waterproof camera goes down the drain to show exactly where the roots are, how severe the blockage is, and what condition the pipe is in. This footage determines whether the pipe can be saved or needs replacement. Our CCTV drain camera inspection service provides a full report with footage you can keep.
Mechanical Root Cutting
A powered root-cutting head attached to a motorised drain machine slices through the root mass inside the pipe. This is far more effective than a hand snake and can handle heavy root growth in pipes from 50mm to 300mm in diameter.
High-Pressure Hydrojetting
After cutting, high-pressure water jetting at up to 5,000 PSI scours the pipe walls clean. It removes remaining root fragments, grease, scale, and debris. The pipe is left clear from end to end.
Pipe Relining (Permanent Solution)
For pipes with cracks or displaced joints, relining seals the entry points permanently. A resin-coated liner is inserted into the existing pipe and cured in place, creating a seamless new pipe inside the old one. No joints means no entry points for roots. A quality line carries a warranty of 35 to 50 years. Our pipe relining service is trenchless, meaning no excavation of your yard, driveway, or garden.
Pipe Replacement (When Relining Is Not Possible)
If the pipe has collapsed, is severely misaligned, or is too damaged to reline, full drain replacement may be needed. This involves excavation, but modern trenchless techniques can minimise disruption in many cases.
In South Australia, all plumbing work must be performed by a licensed plumber under the Plumbers, Gas Fitters and Electricians Act 1995. A certificate of compliance (eCoC) must be issued within seven days, as outlined by the SA Office of the Technical Regulator.
Recently, the team and I helped a homeowner in Adelaide who had a broken drain pipe that needed urgent attention. We attended the same day and worked into the evening to get it resolved.
Vi Duong shared this feedback: “I had a broken drain pipe. I needed it fix asap as I was going away. The plumber attended the same day at 6 pm and spent over 2 hours mending it in the dark. That’s dedication!” At Exceed Plumbing, that level of commitment is standard. When your drains are compromised, we get it sorted.
Stormwater Drains and Tree Root Problems
Tree roots do not only affect sewer pipes. Stormwater drains are equally vulnerable, and the keyword “stormwater drain tree root issue” is one of the most searched drainage terms in Australia, with 720 monthly searches.
Stormwater pipes carry rainwater from your roof and yard to the street drainage system. They are typically shallower than sewer pipes, making them easier targets for root systems. In Adelaide, many stormwater pipes are also old clay or concrete, with the same vulnerable joints.
Signs of root intrusion in stormwater drains include water pooling in your yard after rain, overflowing gutters despite clear downpipes, and soggy patches near pipe runs. The SA EPA provides guidance on stormwater management in South Australia.
If you suspect root intrusion in your stormwater drains, Exceed Plumbing can inspect and clear both sewer and stormwater systems in a single visit.
More: What To Do If You Have a Pipe Leaking in the Wall
How to Prevent Tree Roots from Entering Your Drains
Prevention is far cheaper than emergency root clearing and pipe repair. You cannot stop trees from growing, but you can manage where they grow and protect the pipes they grow near. These strategies reduce the risk significantly:
Know Where Your Pipes Run
Before planting anything, find out where your sewer and stormwater lines are located. Your licensed plumbing team or SA Water can help you map them.
Plant Trees at a Safe Distance
Keep trees at least 3 metres from sewer pipes. For large species like eucalyptus, figs, and elms, 10 metres or more is safer. Choose slower-growing species with less aggressive root systems for areas near pipe runs.
Consider Root Barriers
Physical root barriers installed between trees and pipe runs can redirect root growth away from your drainage. These are especially useful when existing trees cannot be removed due to heritage or council protection.
Schedule Regular Drain Maintenance
For homes with older clay pipes, established trees, or a history of root problems, professional drain clearing every 12 to 18 months keeps roots under control before they cause full blockages. A CCTV inspection every two to three years catches developing problems early.
Reline Vulnerable Pipe Sections
If a CCTV inspection reveals cracked joints but the pipe is otherwise sound, relining those sections proactively seals the entry points before roots get in. This is significantly cheaper than waiting for a full blockage and emergency repair.
Adelaide Suburbs We Service
Exceed Plumbing clears tree roots from sewer and stormwater drains across the entire Adelaide metropolitan area. We cover Salisbury, Mawson Lakes, Morphett Vale, Norwood, Goodwood, Linden Park, Modbury, West Lakes, Fulham Gardens, Mount Barker, Blackwood, Paralowie, Elizabeth, Golden Grove, Noarlunga, Happy Valley, Prospect, Colonel Light Gardens, Magill, Burnside, West Beach, Stirling, Mitcham, and every suburb in between. Within-the-hour response, 24/7.
Get Rid of Tree Roots in Your Drains for Good
If your drains keep blocking and you suspect tree roots are the cause, temporary clearing will not solve the problem. You need a CCTV inspection to see the full picture, professional root cutting to restore flow, and relining or repair to stop them coming back.
Call Exceed Plumbing on (08) 7948 7662 for a same-day drain diagnosis across Adelaide.
- Within-the-hour service, 24/7
- Fixed upfront pricing, no surprises
- Fully licensed and insured (Licence #333997)
- Guaranteed workmanship on every job
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you do about tree roots in a drain pipe?
Start by getting a CCTV drain inspection to confirm root intrusion and assess pipe condition. A licensed plumber can then cut the roots using mechanical or hydrojet equipment and recommend relining or replacement to prevent regrowth. DIY chemical treatments provide temporary relief but do not fix the entry point.
How do you get rid of tree roots in drain pipes permanently?
The only permanent solution is to seal the entry point. After clearing the roots, pipe relining creates a seamless new pipe inside the old one, eliminating the joints and cracks that roots exploit. A quality line lasts 35 to 50 years.
Can tree roots damage stormwater drains, too?
Yes. Stormwater pipes are often shallower than sewer pipes, making them easier targets. Old clay and concrete stormwater drains have the same vulnerable joints. Signs include water pooling in your yard after rain and overflowing gutters despite clear downpipes.
How do I know if tree roots are blocking my drains?
The most common signs are recurring blockages that return within weeks, slow drainage across multiple fixtures, gurgling sounds from drains, sewage smells in the yard, and patches of unusually green grass above pipe runs.
Which Adelaide suburbs have the worst tree root drain problems?
Burnside, Unley, Norwood, Mitcham, and Prospect have the highest rates due to their combination of mature established trees and original clay sewer pipes from the 1950s to 1970s. Adelaide Hills suburbs like Stirling and Blackwood are also heavily affected by native eucalyptus root systems.
How often should I have my drains checked for tree roots?
For homes with older clay pipes, established trees nearby, or a history of root blockages, a professional CCTV inspection every two to three years is recommended. Properties in high-risk suburbs should consider annual hydrojet maintenance to keep roots under control.