A drain blockage doesn’t always start with food waste and grease; sometimes, tree and plant roots enter drain pipes through poor or damaged seals.
Once inside, these roots keep growing, trap debris, and restrict wastewater flow. Root cutting offers a practical solution. Root cutting removes the obstruction and restores drainage flow.
How do roots enter drainage pipes?
Tree roots naturally seek water and nutrients, so underground drainage pipes are an attractive source. Pipes with small cracks, loose joints, or damaged sections are often vulnerable entry points for tree roots.
As the roots grow, they form a dense network inside the drain pipe. Grease, silt, waste, and toilet paper get stuck in the drainage system and block the pipe, slowing wastewater flow.
How do you know if roots are blocking your drain pipe? Here are a few early warning signs that you can look out for
- Slow draining in the sink, toilet, and showers
- Repeated drain blockages
- Gurgling sound coming from the drain pipes
- Unpleasant odours coming from the drain
- Water backing up after heavy use
What happens during root cutting
When you hire professionals for drain cleaning services, they use specialist equipment to break through and remove the roots from the inside of the drainage pipe. This process targets the obstruction inside the pipe, helps reopen the drainage passage, and lets wastewater flow smoothly.
Depending on the condition and accessibility of the drainage system, professionals may use cutting equipment and high-pressure water jetting. After removing the roots, they clear the accumulated debris so water can flow freely through the pipe. Some of the common equipment that professionals use for cutting roots inside the drain are as follows:
Mechanical root cutters
These are rotary cutting heads which are attached to flexible drain-cleaning cables. This equipment cuts through roots inside the pipe. They are useful for stubborn roots which grow inside drain pipes.
Water-powered root cutters
This is high-pressure water jetting equipment fitted with special nozzles. Professionals use this tool to pressure-wash roots from drain pipes. The pressure flushes the roots out of the pipe. This generally does not work for stubborn roots.
Drain jetting equipment
High-pressure water jets help wash grease, roots, and debris from pipes and clear obstructions.
Chain flail cutters
This equipment uses rotating chains to strike and break roots inside drain pipes. It also clears the loosened materials stuck inside the pipe. This specialised tool is mainly used to clear blockages in pipes and drains. It also clears heavy vegetation and thick bush inside drain pipes.
CCTV drain cameras
They are usually used to locate and cut the root intrusions inside the drain pipes. These cameras go inside the pipe and help in identifying the damage. They also help confirm whether the blockage has been cleared.
Davies Drainage Solutions Ltd provides reliable drainage services, delivering fast, professional, and cost-effective solutions for domestic and commercial customers. Contact us for drain unblocking in Cornwall.