Root Intrusions
Root Intrusions | Main Line Issues | Plumbing | Lancing
When the drains in your Lancing home start to gurgle or slow to a trickle, invasive tree roots are often the hidden culprit, snaking into the sewer and causing stubborn blockages. HEP’s specialists zero in on these main line issues with high-definition camera inspections, pinpointing exactly where the roots have breached your pipes before clearing them away with powerful hydro-jetting and minimally-invasive trenchless repairs.
By choosing HEP, you get prompt, 24/7 service from local pros who protect your yard as carefully as they protect your plumbing. We’ll show you real-time footage of the problem, explain every fix in plain English, and back our work with transparent pricing and solid warranties—so your sewer flows freely and you can get back to enjoying life in Lancing without another messy backup.
FAQs
What are root intrusions in a main sewer line and why do they happen frequently in Lancing?
Root intrusions occur when tree or shrub roots infiltrate cracks or joints in your underground sewer line, seeking moisture and nutrients. Lancing’s mix of older clay and pitch-fiber pipes, combined with a relatively high water table near the coast, makes small gaps or hairline fractures more common—perfect entry points for aggressive root growth.
How can I tell if my property has a root intrusion problem in the main line?
Typical warning signs include recurrent toilet or drain backups, slow-draining fixtures throughout the house, gurgling sounds after flushing, and patches of unusually green, damp grass along your sewer pathway. A professional CCTV camera inspection is the only way to confirm roots are the cause rather than grease, scale, or a collapsed pipe.
What methods do plumbers use to remove roots from a sewer line?
1. Mechanical cutting with a high-speed rotating root cutter attached to a drain machine. 2. High-pressure water jetting (hydro-jetting) to flush out remaining root debris and restore full pipe diameter. 3. Chemical root inhibitors (foaming herbicides) to kill fine root hairs left behind. 4. Pipe relining or sectional replacement if the pipe is badly damaged. The appropriate method depends on pipe material, size of the intrusion, and overall pipe condition.
Will removing the offending tree solve the problem permanently?
Not necessarily. Even if you remove the tree, established roots can remain alive for years and still cause blockages. Moreover, nearby trees or shrubs may extend their root systems toward the same moisture source. The more reliable long-term solution is repairing cracks and sealing joints with a cured-in-place liner or replacing the damaged section altogether.
How much does root removal and pipe repair typically cost in Lancing?
Prices vary by depth, pipe material, access, and length of the affected section, but as a rough guide: • Basic root cutting and hydro-jetting: £180–£350 • Chemical root treatment (optional add-on): £60–£120 • CCTV survey with report: £90–£160 • Patch lining (per 1-metre section): £250–£400 • Full pipe replacement (per metre, excavated): £150–£250 We provide fixed quotes after a site inspection so there are no surprises.
What preventive steps can homeowners in Lancing take to avoid future root intrusions?
• Schedule a CCTV inspection every 2–3 years, especially if you have large trees within 10 metres of the sewer line. • Avoid planting thirsty species such as willows, poplars, or silver birches near service trenches. • Install a root barrier fabric or physical shield when landscaping near known pipe routes. • Use water-efficient fixtures indoors to minimise continuous moisture in the line. • Consider proactively relining ageing clay or pitch-fiber pipes before they crack. Regular maintenance is cheaper than emergency excavation.