Roots are the most common cause of recurring blockages in older Ipswich homes. Four quick questions about the tree, the distance and the pipe give the risk and what, if anything, to do.
Roots don’t break sound pipes. They find a joint or crack that leaks a little water and grow into it, then swell until the pipe blocks or splits. Older clay pipes have far more joints.
| Risk | Trees | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Highest | Figs, willows, poplars, umbrella trees, rubber trees, camphor laurel | Fast, thirsty roots that travel well beyond the canopy and seek out water in pipes |
| High | Gums (eucalypts), jacarandas, other large trees | Big root systems; in dry spells they head for the moisture in a leaking joint |
| Moderate | Lilly pillies, bottlebrushes, frangipanis, hedges | Smaller roots, but close plantings along a fence or the drain line can still get in |
| Low | Palms, shrubs, garden beds | Fibrous or shallow roots that rarely damage a sound pipe |
Ranges from the price guide Not sure it is roots? Check the symptoms
| Job | Typical range | When |
|---|---|---|
| Camera inspection | $250–$350 | To see whether roots are in, and where |
| Root cutting with jetting | $385–$1,200 | Clears roots from the pipe; they can grow back |
| Relining, typical home | $2,900–$6,400 | Seals the pipe from inside, no digging |
| Dig up and replace a section | $1,000–$3,000 | When the pipe is cracked or collapsed |
A wet or sunken patch over the drain, or a gully that overflows, means water is escaping or backing up: roots have often cracked or pushed a joint apart. A camera inspection shows where and how bad. A cracked section is usually dug up and replaced, or relined if it is still round.
Typical cost: $250–$350 for a camera inspection; $1,000–$3,000 to dig up and replace a section.
A blockage that keeps coming back near a big tree is almost always roots growing through a joint or crack. Jetting with a root cutter clears them, but they grow back through the same gap within months. Relining seals the pipe from the inside without digging, so the roots can’t get back in.
Typical cost: $385–$1,200 for root cutting with jetting; $2,900–$6,400 for a typical relining job.
Slow or gurgling drains with a root-hungry tree close to an older line usually mean roots are starting to choke the pipe. A camera inspection confirms it and shows how far in they are. Caught early, a root cut and a clean can buy years; if the pipe is cracked, ask about relining.
Typical cost: $250–$350 for a camera inspection; $385–$1,200 for root cutting with jetting.
With a small tree, a newer pipe or plenty of distance, roots are less likely. Slow drains are more often fat, wipes or a sagging section. Try the drain symptom checker, or have the drain cleared and ask the plumber what came out.
Typical cost: $180–$550 for most Ipswich drain clears.
A big, thirsty tree close to an older drain is the classic setup for root damage, and roots are usually well in before the first blockage. A camera inspection now shows whether they have found a joint, while it is still cheap to fix.
Typical cost: $250–$350 for a camera inspection.
There is some risk, but nothing to act on yet. Slow drains, gurgling after a flush, or a toilet that needs a second flush are the early signs. A camera inspection is worth it when you buy, renovate or plant something bigger near the line.
Typical cost: $250–$350 if you want to check.
Small plants, plenty of distance or newer PVC pipe with sealed joints make roots unlikely. Keep big trees away from the drain line if you plant, and come back if the drains start to slow.
Typical cost: Nothing to pay for now.
Slow drains, gurgling after a flush, a toilet that needs a second flush, and blockages that come back every few months, often worse in dry weather. A wet or sunken patch over the line is a later sign. A camera inspection confirms it.
Figs, willows, poplars, umbrella trees, rubber trees and camphor laurel are usually listed as the worst, then large gums and jacarandas. The closer the tree and the older the pipe, the higher the risk.
Root cutting with a jetter is typically $385–$1,200. A camera inspection is $250–$350. Relining the damaged section so the roots can’t get back in is typically $2,900–$6,400 for a home.
Not usually. Relining seals the pipe so roots can’t get in, and the tree can stay. Removing a big tree also lets its roots rot in the ground, which can leave voids around the pipe.
They slow roots down but don’t fix the gap they came in through, so the roots come back. The lasting fix is repairing or relining the pipe.
Send what is happening, the tree and your suburb. A licensed local plumber who covers your area gets back to you with a price before any work starts.