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Stop Tree Roots in Drains. Property Managers Guide

I’m Dave Conroy visiting Townsville in the dry tropics in Far North Queensland.

Townsville and surrounding towns have many blocked drains caused by tree roots.

Vaporooter Stops Tree Roots in Drains and It comes with a Guarantee. If you get a blocked drain after we apply Vaporooter we’ll come and clear your blockage for FREE! It is that good!

If you’re a Property Manager in Townsville with repeat blocked drains and you’re looking for an alternative to pipe relining you might consider Vaporooter.

Check it out at www.VaporooterAustralia.com.au or Call me on 1800 637 600

Stop Tree Roots in Drains. Home Buyers Guide.

Vaporooter is the best way to Stop Tree Roots in Pipes.

If you’re a potential Home Buyer who wants to buy a house in a Tree Lined Street, and you want to know how you’ll keep the tree roots from those trees out of your brand-new home, then call me.

I can send you a copy of my little book, The Home Buyers Guide to Tree Root Control.

Everything you need to know about keeping tree roots out of your sewer pipes.

Wherever you are in Australia… Call me on 1800 637 600. I’ll be happy to guide you through it.

Or go to www.VaporooterAustralia.com.au

How to keep tree roots out of drain pipes.

There is always more than one way to skin a cat! Here are four commonly used methods to prevent tree roots from blocking your drain pipes, along with a general cost comparison:

  1. Chemical Root Treatment: This method involves the use of chemical substances to inhibit root growth and entry into the pipes. The cost of chemical root treatments can vary depending on the size and length of the pipe being treated, the severity of the root intrusion, and the specific chemicals used. Typically, the cost ranges from $300 to $800 per treatment, and treatments may be required annually.
  2. Physical Barriers: Installing physical barriers, such as root barriers or copper sulfate-impregnated strips, can prevent tree roots from reaching and damaging terracotta pipes. The cost of physical barriers will depend on factors like the length of the barrier required and the labor involved in installation. On average, the cost can range from $200 to $400 per linear metre, including materials and installation.
  3. Pipe Renewal: Completely replacing the old terracotta pipes with more modern materials like PVC can effectively solve the problem of root intrusion. However, this method is typically more expensive and disruptive. The cost of pipe replacement can vary significantly depending on factors like the length of the pipe, depth of installation, and accessibility. As a rough estimate, the cost can range from $500 to $2500 per linear metre, including excavation, removal of old pipes, and installation of new ones.
  4. Pipe Relining: Relining creates a new and seamless pipe within the old one, which is made of a durable and long-lasting epoxy resin material. This can extend the life of your pipes for several decades and prevent future root intrusion and blockages. Estimates range between $1,000- $1,500 per metre depending on the access to the pipes to be relined.

It’s important to note that these cost estimates are approximate and can vary depending on various factors like location, specific project requirements, labor costs, and contractor fees. It is recommended to consult with local professionals to obtain accurate cost estimates for your specific situation.

You must see this Vaporooter Case Study

If you’re a Strata Property manager or a home owner and you’ve got blocked drains caused by tree roots, you should definitely consider Vaporooter. It’s been around for 56 years because it works!

Watch this 2:00 min YouTube clip to see how tree roots grow in your pipes and the damage that can be caused.

If you’re wondering whether or not, you should have your drains and pipes treated with Vaporooter, this real case study of a drain pipe inspection should remove any doubt that you should do it.

You are going to see through high-technology CCTV cameras that we can actually put through the pipe as we’re doing now we can see inside the pipe.

One of the things very few people know is how tree roots find their way into pipes.

The way they do that is they find first the condensation on top of the pipe that’s created when warm water flows through your drains and pipes. Once they’ve found a source of water in the condensation, then they start looking for nutrients, which they get by extracting it from the fluids that actually flow through your pipes.

Tree roots find their way into your pipes through tiny little cracks, usually in joints between two pipe segments or some kind of structural damage to the pipe. You can see here that once the tree roots come into the pipe, they can create a lot of obstruction to the flow within the drain.

One of the things that a lot of people don’t know is that once you start cutting tree roots they’re going to, just like a hedge or a rose bush, grow thicker and stronger every single time they’re cut.

So to just cut tree roots out of a drain pipe is not a solution.

That’s why you need a long-term strategy like Vaporooter with the annual treatment that’s guaranteed to keep tree roots at bay.

You want to make absolutely sure that you sleep well at night knowing that your pipes are not going to look like this.

Without Vaporooter, that’s exactly what’s happening! Your drains and pipes are getting clogged one more root at a time.

Contact us now at VaporooterAustralia.com.au or Call 1800 637 600 http://www.VaporooterAustralia.com.au

5 Reasons why Pipe Relining is NOT the only solution

85% of Blocked drains are caused by tree roots!

While pipe relining can be an effective method for rehabilitating damaged pipes, there are certain scenarios where it may not be the most suitable solution. Here are five reasons why pipe relining may not be the preferred choice:

  1. Extensive Pipe Damage: If the pipes are severely damaged, collapsed, or have extensive cracks, relining may not be a viable option. In such cases, complete pipe replacement might be necessary to ensure long-term reliability and functionality.
  2. Reduced Pipe Diameter: Pipe relining involves inserting a liner inside the existing pipe, which can reduce the internal diameter of the pipe. If the reduction in diameter is significant, it may negatively impact the flow capacity of the pipe and cause potential blockages or efficiency issues.
  3. Incompatible Pipe Materials: Pipe relining is typically suitable for a range of pipe materials, such as PVC, clay, cast iron, and concrete. However, if the existing pipe material is incompatible with the lining material or if there are irregularities in the pipe structure, relining may not provide a secure and long-lasting solution.
  4. Limited Access Points: Pipe relining requires access points to insert the liner into the existing pipe. If there are limited or restricted access points, such as in densely built areas or underground locations, it may be challenging to carry out the relining process effectively.
  5. Cost Considerations: Pipe relining can be more expensive than traditional pipe replacement methods, particularly in cases where there is significant damage or complex pipe configurations. In such situations, it may be more cost-effective to opt for pipe replacement instead of relining.

It’s important to consult with a professional plumber or pipe rehabilitation specialist to assess the condition of the pipes and determine the most suitable solution based on your specific circumstances.

When fixing your blocked drains, a “one size fits all” approach is outdated!

The best approach depends on your circumstance and specifically, what is going on with the drains at your place.

If you’re not sure which method is best for your circumstance, ask me.

Call 1800 637 6oo

Can tree roots crush drain pipes?

Yes, tree roots can crush drain pipes. As tree roots grow, they can exert a lot of force and pressure on pipes, particularly older or pipes with any structural damage. The tree roots can also grow into small cracks or in the pipe joints, causing them to expand and eventually crush or break the pipe.

Additionally, if the roots are able to penetrate the pipe and grow inside it, they can cause blocked drains.

It’s also worth noting that, tree roots can cause more damage to clay pipes, and cast iron pipes because of their rigid structure but, more durable and flexible materials like copper or PVC pipes can still be crushed.

We have seen instances where tree roots growing through the excavated soil of the trench under a PVC sewer system, squash the pipe from beneath as they get thicker and stronger. The pipe line needed excavation for repairs and to cut out the offending tree root which was about 200mm in diameter.

The PVC pipeline was only twelve years old!

The Hills Weeping fig (Ficus microcarpa var. hillii) was about fifty years old.

Tree roots crush pipes

If you think your stormwater or sewer pipes are being crushed by tree roots, it’s important to regularly inspect the pipes and address any issues promptly, because leaks through the cracks will only attract more tree roots.

Also, when planting trees near pipes or underground utilities, proper plant selection can prevent potential problems.

What is Pipe Relining?

Pipe relining has become a fashionable thing.

There is a place for pipe relining usually when the structure of the pipe has been compromised or broken.

Pipe relining involves inserting a liner, usually fibreglass resin, into the existing drain pipes, creating a new, seamless, and durable pipe within the old one, without the need for excavation.

This process is a little disruptive but, less disruptive, faster, and more cost-effective than traditional pipe replacement. By relining the pipes, you can restore the flow and function of your sewer system, prevent future damage, and extend the life of your pipes.

We have used pipe relining to repair broken and damaged pipes especially in those few situations where excavation is difficult or dangerous, like under a roadway or when the pipes are buried deep in the ground on a tight work site.

Some plumbers will recommend pipe relining for a simple blocked drain caused by tree roots where the roots have just grown through one of the many pipe joints in an earthenware pipeline.

I’ve seen multiple instances where after relining a section of the pipe, tree roots just grow along the pipe line and find another pipe joint to grow through.

At the time of writing this, in Sydney Australia, the cost to reline one metre of 100mm or 4″ pipes is about $1,000.00 per metre.

That means, to reline 30 metres or 100ft of sewer pipe will cost about $30,000. And that’s a lot of money!

You can Click here to see an earlier post about pipe relining costs.

If you’re researching options on How to Stop Tree Roots in Drains or you’re unsure if pipe relining is the answer to your problem, I invite you to call me on 1800 637 600.

Tree Roots are a pain in the drain!

Tree Roots never stop growing in your sewer pipes.

Cut them out and they just grow back!

Depending on the tree, it can take up to 3, 6 or 12 months, or sometimes more, but they do grow back…Like a time bomb ticking away.

When you get a blocked drain and have your plumber cut tree roots from your sewer pipes, every 3, 6 or 12  months, the cutting action, whether by electric eel or high-pressure water damages the pipes.

The cutting action is like pruning. Any gardener will tell you that pruning will make the tree grow stronger, and thats what happens with your tree roots.

You cut the tree roots, and they grow back Thicker and Stronger.

You know all the symptoms.

The smell, the gurgling, ankle deep shower water, you lift the lid on the loo, AND IT’S STILL THERE!

Now your plumber is a likable bloke.

His number is on your auto dial. He knows where the door keys are, and the dog just wags his tail when he shows up.

He’s put his kids through private school because the tree out the front of your home keeps growing in your sewer, blocking your drains

There must be another way to Stop Tree Roots in Drains

There is. It’s called Vaporooter!

When you’re ready to talk about it, Call us on 1800 637 600

Plumbing Terms

You’re going to want to be prepared for what your plumber has to say about the tree roots blocking your pipes. Maybe you’ve already talked to your plumber but you didn’t completely understand everything he said.

In any case, here’s a list of terms that may be basic to your plumber, but not so basic to you:

Backfill: Soil used to refill a trench that was dug up to excavate pipes.

Bedding: Material laid under a pipe that supports it and keeps the pipe from shifting in the soil.

Boundary Trap: A point of disconnection between your property/properties sewer and the local authority’s  main. All your sanitary  plumbing runs to this trap. It has a water seal to stop the smell from the sewer coming back up the line.

Cement Mortar Joint: A socket joint or pipe bend made out of cement.

Choke: A blocked drain.

Clearout: See I.O.

Conduit: A fancier word for pipe.

Defect: Decaying material, abnormality or obstruction in pipes that affects your plumbing.

Sanitary Drain: The plumbing (within your property line) that carries waste water away from your home or business. This type of drain includes any fitting or pipe that’s outside of the building.

House Drain: Plumbing within your sanitary drain system that carries waste water from sinks, toilets, equipment and tubs. This type of drain includes any plumbing that’s inside of the building.

Drainage Diagram: A map or plan of the approved sewer lines throughout your property; available from your local water authority, usually attached to a property ”contract of sale”.

Drainoscopy: A drainoscopy is the process of surveying your drainage pipelines with a high tech purpose-built camera. It really is the only way to see what is going on underground. A drainoscopy will show pipes, pipe joints, tree root penetrations, damage or even collapsed sections of pipe. A drainoscopy can be  recorded and forwarded to you via email.

Helio: Plumbers over the age of 30 refer to this. See Drainage Diagram.

Infiltration: Unintended ground or storm water that makes it’s way into the sanitary/sewer drainage system, usually through cracks in pipes or joints, or tree root penetrations.

Installation: The creation of your network of pipes and fixtures or just your network of pipes and fixtures.

I.O. Inspection opening; a point of access into your house drains and branches.

Main: Usually owned and maintained by the local “Water authority”.

Pulling: Manually removing pipe obstruction by pulling a disk through the plumbing.

Rodding: Manually removing pipe obstruction using a system of jointed rods, like an electric eel.

Root Foam: A chemical foam mixture applied to pipes after mechanic root removal to prohibit future plant intrusion and reinforce pipes.

Root Penetration: Tree roots growing into plumbing, pipes, drains and sewers.

Rubber Ring Joint: A type of pipe joint seal that’s made out of chemically treated rubber circa; 1970-85

Sewer Main: The publicly owned pipes that carry waste water away from your property.

Sludge: Sort of the opposite of scum, this is pipe obstruction that sinks to the bottom of plumbing.

Spigot or Socket Joint: The male end of a pipe.

Sullage: Household waste water; specifically from sinks, kitchens and laundries.

Surcharge: Pipe or drain overflow cause by a combination of plumbing blockages and an abundance of rain. It could be from the main.

Surcharge Gully: An outside drain which may have a tap over. It is lower than your lowest floor drain, so that surcharge occurs here, not inside your home. It also has a water seal.

Tree roots don’t like wet feet

Even though tree roots get into pipes seeking water, they don’t like to be in the water all the time.

Excavated soil allows the fine tree roots to move along the top of and into the pipe joints and then down into the water flow.

In permanently water charged ground, tree roots rarely appear in the sewer because they don’t like to be continually immersed in water.