If you’re battling slow drains, foul smells, or repeated blockages, there’s a fair chance tree roots are the culprit. In this guide, you’ll learn how to spot the issue, the safest ways to remove roots from drains, what fixes actually last, and how to stop the problem from coming back.
How Roots Get Into Drains
Roots are always searching for moisture. They slip into tiny cracks, joints and displaced sections of pipework, then thicken and spread until they choke the flow. Older clay or pitch-fibre pipes are most at risk, but any cracked pipe can be invaded. Water companies and drain specialists note that root ingress is a common cause of damage and blockages across the UK.
Warning Signs You Might Have Roots in Your Drains
Look out for slow-running fixtures on the lowest floor, gurgling noises, recurring blockages, foul odours from gullies or manholes, and wet or unusually lush patches in the garden above the line of the pipe. These are classic symptoms when roots have breached a drain.
Can You Remove Roots From Drains Yourself?
For light blockages, basic rodding can restore some flow, but rods can’t cut woody roots – they usually leave the problem behind the next bend. Be very cautious with ‘root killer’ chemicals: using pesticides in or near water (which includes drains and sewers) is tightly controlled in the UK, and only products specifically approved for that use should be considered. In many cases, you need permission from the Environment Agency. When in doubt, avoid chemicals and get a professional CCTV survey to confirm what’s going on.
What About Chemical Root Killers?
Some foaming products exist, but rules are strict for environmental reasons and labels limit where and how they can be used. The Health and Safety Executive also stresses that approved products carry use-area restrictions and must be followed exactly. If your property uses a septic tank, be extra cautious – many products are unsuitable. In short: check UK approvals, never pour unapproved chemicals into drains, and consider mechanical removal first.
Proven Ways Professionals Remove Roots From Drains
The right fix depends on pipe material, diameter, how severe the growth is, and whether the pipe is damaged. Here’s what a reputable drainage engineer will typically do.
CCTV Drain Survey (The Diagnostic Step)
A small camera is sent through the pipe to locate the root ingress, measure the extent of damage, and record evidence. In the UK, quality providers report to the WRc MSCC5 standard so findings are consistent and actionable.
Mechanical Root Cutting & Descaling
Specialist rotating cutters and milling heads slice through roots and clean the bore to restore flow. It’s quick and effective for getting you moving again.
High-Pressure Water Jetting / Hydro-Cutting
Engineers use high-pressure jetting with root-cutting nozzles to break up and flush fibrous masses. It’s particularly good for long runs or heavy growth, often paired with cutting.
Robotic Cutting (For Stubborn Obstructions)
Robotic cutters can grind out severe root masses or reopen side connections after lining – handy inside rigid or larger-diameter pipes without digging.
Drain Relining to Stop Roots Coming Back
Once you remove roots from drains, the long-term fix is to seal the defects they used to get in. Trenchless patch repairs or full-length CIPP relining create a new watertight inner pipe so roots can’t re-enter cracked joints. This is the step that prevents repeat blockages.
Step-by-Step: How to Remove Roots From Drains Safely
Before you jump in, follow a simple plan. This order helps you fix the cause, not just the symptom.
- Work out who’s responsible. You’re usually responsible for drains within your boundary that serve only your home. Shared pipes and laterals outside the boundary are normally the water company’s responsibility since the 2011 transfer. If you suspect a shared line, report it.
- Book a CCTV drain survey. Confirm it’s roots, find the exact entry point, and check the pipe condition to choose the right fix. Ask for a report to the MSCC5 standard.
- Clear the roots. Your engineer will use mechanical cutting, jetting or robotic tools (or a combination) to restore full flow.
- Repair and seal the pipe. Patch or reline cracked sections to create a watertight barrier that blocks future root ingress.
- Put prevention in place. Adjust planting and consider root barriers if you’re landscaping near the line of the drain.
Prevention Tips That Actually Work
Thinking ahead will save you money, mess and stress. Plant thirsty species (willow, poplar, etc.) well away from drains, use root barriers where appropriate, and avoid planting directly over known pipe routes. Water company guidance explains that roots can extend as far as – or beyond – the height of the tree, so give drains generous breathing room.
Need a Hand Right Now?
If you’re in Dorset or the South and need to remove roots from drains fast, Maintain Drains can help. We provide CCTV surveys, root cutting, jetting and no-dig relining, with free, fast quotes, no call-out charges, and a 24/7 response. Tell us what’s happening and we’ll get you flowing again – cleanly and safely. Contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the roots grow back after clearing?
They can, yes – unless you seal the entry point. Clearing restores flow, but relining or patching is what stops regrowth through cracks and joints.
Can I just use a shop-bought chemical to remove roots from drains?
It’s risky. Only use products specifically approved for use in or near water, and in some situations, require Environment Agency permission. Mechanical removal plus repair is usually safer and more reliable for homeowners.
How do I know if it’s my problem or the water company’s?
If the pipe is within your boundary and serves only your property, it’s typically yours. Shared pipes or laterals outside the boundary have been with the water company since October 2011. A CCTV survey helps clarify.
Do I need to dig up my garden?
Not usually. Modern no-dig methods like patch lining and CIPP relining fix many defects from inside the pipe.