tree roots

The tree roots gain access to the drain system via the pipe joints, fractures, cracks and through inspection chamber walls and benching. 

The majority of the drainage systems within the UK are constructed from the collar and spigot vitrified clay pipes jointed using sand & cement, these joints offer little resistance to fine tree roots which once inside develop into tap roots and root masses which then reduce the internal bore of the pipe.

 More modern systems installed using rubber-sealed couplings are still prone to root ingress.  

These systems are often not protected by a root barrier or surrounded in concrete, though as modern systems are supposed to be flexible surrounding the joint in concrete is generally frowned upon.

At Central Drains, we have a variety of techniques that we can try out to remove tree roots from drains. If the tree roots have accessed the system via its joints, and there has been no major displacement to those joints, the system can be root cut and in many cases relined. 

If there has been major displacement to the joints or severe fracturing then excavation may be the only answer. On most domestic systems given the number of bends and junctions you get over fairly short distances, it is often a mixture of the two repair methods are required. 

 If you have a system that has severe ingress and major displacement of joints, but you can not excavate it, a pipe bursting method can be used, assuming there are no lateral connections or sharp changes in direction and you can winch a line through the system.