Roots in Clay Sewers: What Noble Park Owners Should Know
How roots get into old sewer pipes, how to tell, and the real fixes.
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How roots get in
Noble Park's older homes were connected with earthenware clay pipes laid in short lengths. As ground moves, joints open slightly. Moist, warm air from the pipe draws roots, and fine hairs slip through the gap. Inside, they thicken into a mat.
Which trees?
Nature-strip trees, gums, liquidambars, ornamental pears, fruit trees and even hedges can all do it. Roots travel a long way, so the tree may not be right over the pipe.
Signs
- slow drains throughout the house
- gurgling toilets
- water rising at the gully outside
- blockages returning every year or two, often in winter
Clearing and diagnosis
We cut roots out with an eel or a jetter with a root-cutting head, then run a camera to see how many joints are affected and how badly.
Long-term fixes
- Scheduled clearing: cheapest short-term, but the roots keep returning.
- Relining: seals the pipe from inside with a jointless liner; no digging.
- Replacement: new PVC pipe where sections have collapsed.
Removing the tree
Removing a tree may not solve it, as roots stay in the pipe and others may be involved. Council approval may be needed for nature-strip trees. Fixing the pipe is usually the better answer.
Planting
Keep new trees well away from the sewer. We can locate and mark the line.
Choosing trees carefully
When planting, keep large trees well away from the sewer line. Ask us to locate the line first so you know where it runs.
Root treatments
Chemical root treatments slow regrowth but do not seal cracked joints. Relining is the lasting fix.
Camera first
A camera inspection shows exactly where roots enter before you decide on a fix. That way you pay only for the fix your pipe actually needs. Ring us to book a camera inspection of your sewer line.
Noble Park pipes at a glance
Most of Noble Park was built between the late 1940s and the 1970s, so original houses usually have clay sewer pipe, galvanised or early copper water pipe and gas hot water outside the laundry. Newer townhouses on subdivided blocks have PVC drains, plastic or copper water pipe and continuous-flow or heat pump hot water. We use cameras, locators, pressure tests and leak detection gear to see what is going on before anyone digs or cuts a wall.
Related services
- Emergency plumbing
- Blocked drains
- Hot water
- Gas fitting
- Hot water replacement
- Heat pumps
- Leaking taps
- Burst pipes
- Toilets
- Leak detection
- Pipe relining
- Stormwater
- Bathroom renovations
- Roof and gutters
- Commercial plumbing
- Backflow testing
More guides
Why Noble Park calls us first
We pick up
Ring and you talk to a plumber who can tell you what to do right now.
Old pipes, new builds
Galvanised pipe from the fifties or a brand-new townhouse, we know both.
Price before work
The fault is found first, then you get a fixed price. No rates, no surprises.
Left clean
Tested, tidied and the paperwork lodged before we drive off.
Get a free quote
Tell us what is going on and a licensed Noble Park plumber will ring you back.
How quoting works
Ring 03 8658 7042 or send the form with a short description, and a photo if you have one. A licensed plumber rings you back and books a time. On site they find the cause, explain your options and give you a fixed price. Nothing starts until you agree, and bigger jobs get a free written quote.
Need a plumber in Noble Park?
Noble Park, Noble Park North, Dandenong, Springvale, Keysborough and nearby. Quote-only: we find the fault, then give you a fixed price.