My Neighbour's Tree Roots Are Growing into Our Pipes = Annual Blockages, Cleanup Fees - What Are My Options?

jikijiki on 22/05/2023 - 17:37
Last edited 22/05/2023 - 18:18 by 1 other user

Each year for the past three years, our sewage system on our side of the house gets blocked and we're forced to cough up $500+ to remove tree roots to clear the blockage.

I believe the tree roots are coming from my neighbours side, as we don't have any trees on that side of the house but there is one directly next to where the pipe break is. However, I understand tree roots can come from any where and I have no proof it's the neighbour's tree being a problem.

The last time the pipes got blocked I requested the plumbing company take their sewer camera out to check. They confirmed roots were in our pipes, but they wouldn't/couldn't say it was from my neighbour's tree.

I highly suspect it's my neighbour's tree but I have no proof. I want my neighbour to at least chip in some % to fix the issue so my questions are:

1) What proof do I need to show to demonstrate the neighbour's tree is an issue?
2) What professional do I need or this job?
3) Was the plumbing company taking the p*ss when they said they couldn't show the source of the tree roots?

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Drakesy on 22/05/2023 - 17:42
    +20

    I think you need new plumbing, even if you remove the tree, there's a crack/break in your pipes that will be exploited by other plants.

  • Malik Nasser on 22/05/2023 - 17:46
    +14

    Run a trencher around your boundary fences. Just be sure to check for services first.
    That should kill off any live roots on your property.

    • Euphemistic on 22/05/2023 - 21:00
      +5

      For a while. If pipes are cracked it won’t take long for them to grow back.

      • 82norm on 23/05/2023 - 20:19
        +4

        I didn’t know pipes could grow back.

    • Dslrfirst on 23/05/2023 - 10:19

      Only temporarily.

    • WT on 23/05/2023 - 11:02
      +1

      maybe add a bamboo root barrier too

  • bobbieb on 22/05/2023 - 18:23
    +5

    1) What proof do I need to show to demonstrate the neighbour's tree is an issue?

    I'm not sure how reliable the advice was, but when I had a similar issue the plumber suggested that if I wished push the damage to property line (the roots were both in my old ceramic pipes and destroying my driveway) I would need to get a sample of the roots tested and matched with the tree.

    • SlickMick on 23/05/2023 - 08:29
      +7

      I would give the root a little injection and see which tree falls over

      • jikijiki on 23/05/2023 - 10:42

        I've considered this, but if a dead tree blows over and damages property I'll be totally fked so I've refrained :)

  • payless69 on 22/05/2023 - 18:32
    +4

    A trench with concrete can give you about 10 years of peace.

  • Helenn on 22/05/2023 - 19:10
    +3

    Not a solution but that cost seems high, are they emergency plumbing visits? Would you consider a yearly booking to clear the pipes pre-emptively? We had a similar issue (our own tree though) and found this was a lot cheaper than a blockage clearing visit and worked well. Might be something to consider. Have since chopped that massive pine tree down and got new plumbing thanks to a subdivision next door, no issues since, good stuff

    • jikijiki on 22/05/2023 - 22:19
      +1

      Not 'urgent' in the sense that I requested the plumbers get over here asap, how much were your visits and would you have any recommendations out in Sydney's East?

  • JimmyF on 22/05/2023 - 19:13
    +18

    I highly suspect it's my neighbour's tree but I have no proof. I want my neighbour to at least chip in some % to fix the issue.

    Your pipes have the holes in them, so allowing roots to get in and block up. Not your neighbours issue you have crappy pipes.

    I'm guessing you have old clay style pipes as these joins in them, allowing this to happen.

    The newer glue PVC pipes this is less of an issue.

    What professional do I need or this job?

    Get a company out to run a sleeve in the pipe, this way roots won't get in.

    • blitz on 23/05/2023 - 00:15
      +1

      I'm guessing you have old clay style pipes as these joins in them, allowing this to happen.
      The newer glue PVC pipes this is less of an issue.

      This was exactly the case when we had a problem of our own trees getting into our pipes. Changed to PVC pipes and not a single problem in ten years.

  • Wiadro on 22/05/2023 - 19:37

    bikies

  • WreckTangle on 22/05/2023 - 19:54
    +4

    Not sure why you are after proof. Does your neighbour own your property too? Not much they can do…i wouldnt pay to fix my neighbours plumbing and the council would make it impossible to cut down the tree.

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 22/05/2023 - 20:08
    +6

    Just fix your sewer pipes.

  • shangoz on 22/05/2023 - 20:18

    can write the letter to support your neighbour for tree removing, but if the tree is native title, then big trouble, council don't care even the tree damage the fence and pipes, that's mad Australia rules, if you cut the tree down without approval, then you face 100k fine! crazy!

    • JimmyF on 22/05/2023 - 20:41
      +6

      that's mad Australia rules

      No thats what happens when people cut down tress left right and center for any reason.

  • Euphemistic on 22/05/2023 - 21:00
    +7

    Fix the pipes. Doesn’t matter where the roots are coming from you need to solve the problem, not look for the tree.

  • bloom on 22/05/2023 - 21:27
    +8

    Yep problem is your pipes not the tree
    Pipes with no holes get no root blockage

  • elgrande on 22/05/2023 - 21:39
    +1

    Did you used to have Dodo dialup internet in the early 2000's?

    • jikijiki on 22/05/2023 - 22:20
      +2

      No

      • blitz on 23/05/2023 - 00:17

        OK. Must be someone else then.

    • 88mph on 28/05/2023 - 15:51

      Chris, is that you…?

  • iamherenow on 22/05/2023 - 22:32
    +7

    1) What proof do I need to show to demonstrate the neighbour's tree is an issue?

    It's your pipes that are the issue. They are little roots getting in the cracks.

    2) What professional do I need or this job?

    plumber

    3) Was the plumbing company taking the p*ss when they said they couldn't show the source of the tree roots?

    All they will see is a clump of roots. How are they supposed to tell where they are coming from.

  • thatonethere on 22/05/2023 - 22:43

    You could get an arborist to identify the roots. Some good law cases here http://propertyinvestmentlawyer.com.au/Tree%20disputes%20No%…

  • Donaldhump on 22/05/2023 - 23:02

    dig a trench down side of your property and pump full of concrete.

  • Top G on 22/05/2023 - 23:05
    +2

    Fix your pipes and stop trying to contribute to urban heat island effect. The trees are not "targeting" you.

  • blitz on 23/05/2023 - 00:25
    +5

    OP, we have more trees than you and your neighbour put together, guaranteed. We used to have the problem you describe. Our plumber said we were going to keep having these problems for as long as we had clay pipes. We replaced all the clay piping with PCV pipes - cost a bit in the short term, but we've not had a tree root problem in the ten years since then. Bonus: they added PVC access pipes so they don't need to dig anything up in case we get a blockage.

  • Some Human on 23/05/2023 - 00:41
    +1

    Trees, the bane of every ozbargainer’s existence.

    • LFO on 23/05/2023 - 13:46
      +2

      So true!!!!! The "common enemy" stands there.

      Bitching because they create shade, bitching because they obstruct views, bitching because birds live there for free and also bitching because of their roots (pipes, footpaths and driveways)

      It is always the trees …
      Always …

      • Euphemistic on 23/05/2023 - 14:23

        Bitching because the trees kept being in my way cycling home through bush the other day so I could avoid interactions with the cars everyone loves instead.

      • WreckTangle on 23/05/2023 - 18:38

        That’s so true! I recall making a post about a freaking red eyed screeching midnight bird.

        • LFO on 24/05/2023 - 10:55
          -1

          How lucky you are, natural fauna :)

          In Gold Coast, QLD, they cut and wipe off trees everywhere because the horror is homeless people lodging around the leafy ones. How dare!

          (not a real fact about the homeless, of course, but an excuse most locals chose to believe … so Council is to wipe off most trees, of course)

  • Mikefr on 23/05/2023 - 00:43

    Options are Machine Drain cleaner (again), Upgrade drainage pipes to PVC , or use a chemical Root control system Root-rid was the product I sold working at a plumbing supply company many years ago (I’ve no affiliation with the product in anyway).
    Google shows a wide array of different drain liquids/crystals for control of tree roots ingress.
    Might help ?!

  • Jeannie77 on 23/05/2023 - 08:35
    +1

    You do need new pipes at some point but if you don't want to pay out now, I had the same problem and buy Drain Clean Root Control Tablets. From Bunnings $8.75 for a packet of 4 in a bright orange packet. I use them weekly and have not had a problem since. Before that I had the plummer out twice for the same blockage and his camera showed my pipe was cracked but I could not afford the repair and this cheaper option worked ok for me.

    • jikijiki on 23/05/2023 - 10:07
      -1

      Thanks, will give this a go along with the other recommendations in this thread

  • Mattttttty on 23/05/2023 - 09:15
    +1

    Have you considered flushing de-rooter down your toilet? It sounds stupid, but apparently if it's done monthly you will retard the root growth out of the pipes…

  • 2esc on 23/05/2023 - 10:28

    You will be surprised how far tree roots can grow along a pipe its possibly not their trees.

    • skillet on 24/05/2023 - 10:20

      Closest tree to my pipe is 35 meters away. I see root in pipe, root see me. I kill root.

  • LFO on 23/05/2023 - 13:41

    I guess relining of the offending pipes are out of consideration?

    It should work for many years to come.
    Yes, very specialized and expen$$ive. But very effective too.

  • smhto on 23/05/2023 - 20:15
    +1

    Locate a large root, drill a hole, and inject round up in it

    • thirtysixd on 27/05/2023 - 21:30

      Surprised noone suggested this sooner

      Stealth kill is a good option

      Hopefully its not a leaner that eventually falls on your house

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join