Blockages in toilets and drains are about as fun as a hole in the head. Unfortunately what should go down, doesn’t always seem to. Sometimes things just won’t flush, disappear or drain away and the cause of this common problem isn’t always caused by common culprits like hair, food or toilet paper.

The root of the problem could be a lot further underground caused by pesky tree roots. Our Brisbane plumbers here at Fixzit explain how you can avoid tree roots coming into contact with sewer pipes, and what to do next if you’re having drainage problems.

How do tree roots cause blockages?

A root’s tree system is a strong network or large and finer hair-like roots. Naturally seeking moisture these roots are able to get into sewer pipes by exploiting miniscule gaps in pipe joints or through cracks or fractures in the pipe. Once inside can grow into a wiry mass of roots since they have the conditions including humidity and a mixture of wet and dry areas which allows them to thrive. When root systems become big enough they will eventually block pipes and potentially cause costly damage if they cause a breakage in the sewer line.

How do I know if I have a problem?

If your toilet or sinks are draining slower than normal it can be a sign of roots that are stemming the flow and it can mean there is a partial blockage. If toilets aren’t flushing with enough power it’s a sign that there is a blockage somewhere and it’s time to call a plumber. Don’t wait until sewage backs up and overflows into your toilet, bathroom or laundry – if you suspect there’s a problem call a plumber sooner rather than later. Plumbers have special high powered machine with mighty suction power to extract clusters of tree roots from drain lines.

How can I prevent the problem?

It’s important to know where your sewer pipes are located on your property and avoid planting certain types of trees no closer than 2-4 metres of this pipe. It’s always a good idea before planting any type of tree to get professional advice on their root system and plan the location of your trees on your property. As a general rule tree roots will generally expand around one and a half times the length of the tree branches.

If you’ve got a problem with tree roots and blocked pipes in Brisbane call Fixzit Plumbing today on 1300 726 806. Our plumbers can also advise some other strategies to stop new roots re-entering your plumbing to future proof yourself against this problem.