Clearing Roots From Drains and Sewers
Our tree root removal Gloucestershire service deals with one of the most stubborn causes of blocked drains. Roots find their way into pipes through cracks and loose joints, then thicken into a dense mat that catches paper, wipes and grease until nothing can get past.
Jet Plumb has been clearing root ingress for over 20 years. We find the roots with a CCTV camera, remove them with cutting and high-pressure jetting, and recommend the right repair so the problem does not return. Quotes are free and there is no call-out charge. We help homeowners, landlords and businesses across the county.
Our Tree Root Removal Process
Root removal is a three-stage job: find, clear and repair. Skipping the first or the last stage is the reason so many root problems keep coming back. We take each stage in turn and show you what we find at every step.
First we feed a CCTV camera into the drain to see where the roots are getting in, how dense they are and what condition the pipe is in. The footage is recorded and you get a copy. Next we clear the pipe with root cutting and high-pressure water jetting at 3,000 to 4,000 psi, working along the run until the bore is open and the roots have been flushed away.
Finally we look again with the camera. Roots enter through damage, so once they are gone the defect underneath is easy to see. Depending on what we find, we recommend patch lining for a single joint, full CIPP lining for a longer run, or excavation and replacement where a section has cracked badly or collapsed.
- CCTV inspection to locate root ingress and assess the pipe
- Root cutting and high-pressure jetting to clear the bore
- A recorded copy of the camera footage for your records
- Patch lining to seal individual cracks and joints
- CIPP lining for longer runs with several entry points
- Excavation and pipe replacement where the damage is severe
How to Tell Roots Are in Your Drain
Root ingress builds up slowly, so the early signs are easy to put down to something else. Look out for:
- Slow drainage that gets steadily worse over months
- Blockages that return soon after being cleared
- Gurgling from toilets and plugholes
- Sewage smells near manholes or gullies
- Large trees or hedges growing close to the drain run
- Roots visible inside an inspection chamber
- A drain that has been cleared of roots in the past
Stopping Roots Coming Back
Cutting roots out restores the flow, but the crack they came through is still there. Without a repair, new growth will usually find its way back in through the same opening.
Sealing the pipe with a liner or patch closes the entry point from the inside, often without any digging. Where lining is not suitable, we excavate by hand or with a mini digger and replace the damaged section.
Root Location Surveys
Before cutting anything, we run a camera through the drain to see exactly which joints or cracks the roots have entered, how far along the run they sit and whether the pipe around them is still structurally sound.
Mechanical Root Cutting
Thick, woody roots are removed with a cutting head that works its way along the pipe. It takes the root mass back to the pipe wall, so the bore is fully open again before the line is jetted clean.
High-Pressure Root Flushing
After cutting, the line is jetted at 3,000 to 4,000 psi to wash away fine roots, fragments and the paper, grease and silt they had been holding. This leaves a clean pipe that the camera can then inspect clearly.
Sealing Entry Points
Roots will come back through the same gap unless it is closed. A patch bonded over a cracked joint, or a cured-in-place liner along the whole run, seals the pipe from the inside, usually through the existing access points.
Rebuilding Root-Damaged Pipes
Where roots have badly cracked a pipe or helped it collapse, lining is no longer an option. We excavate down to the damaged section, by hand or with a mini digger where it is safe, and replace it with new pipework.
Recurring Root Problems
If roots have been cleared before and keep returning, the entry point was probably never repaired. We survey the line again, clear it properly and give you a free quote for a repair that tackles the cause rather than the symptom.
Trees, Neighbours and Responsibility
Roots ignore boundaries, and the tree causing the trouble is often in a neighbour's garden or on a verge. Our recorded footage gives you clear evidence of where the roots enter and how much damage they have caused, which helps when you raise it with the owner or your insurer.
Where the affected pipe is a shared sewer or a lateral drain beyond your boundary, it may be the water company's responsibility. Our survey shows exactly where the roots are, so you know who to contact before paying for any work.
We would not suggest removing a healthy tree without proper advice. In many cases, clearing the roots and sealing the pipe solves the problem while the tree stays where it is. If a large tree stands close to a drain, an occasional camera check helps catch any new growth early.
Get a Tree Root Removal Quote
If roots are blocking a drain or sewer at your home, rental property or business, call Jet Plumb on 01453 827124 for a free, no-obligation quote. There is no call-out charge, and we explain what the camera shows before recommending any work.
We work throughout Gloucestershire, from Stroud, Nailsworth and Stonehouse to Cirencester, Tetbury and Malmesbury, and all our work is guaranteed. If roots have already caused a backup, call 07966 142960 at any hour.
Tree Root Removal FAQs
Common questions about tree root removal in Gloucestershire.
Roots rarely break a sound pipe on their own. They find an existing weakness, such as a hairline crack or a gap in a joint, and grow through it. Once inside, they spread and thicken, which can widen the crack, push joints apart and eventually contribute to a collapse.
Jetting at high pressure removes fine roots and flushes out the debris they trap, but thick, woody roots usually need cutting as well. We use whichever combination the camera shows is needed. Either way, clearing is only half the job, because the entry point needs sealing to stop regrowth.
Usually not. Most root problems can be solved by clearing the pipe and lining or repairing the damaged section, leaving the tree in place. Removing a tree can also cause ground movement and may need permission if it is protected, so take advice from a tree specialist before felling anything.
We run a CCTV camera through the drain and record the footage. The picture shows the exact joint or crack where roots enter, how far along the run it is, and the general condition of the pipe on either side. You receive a copy, and we talk you through it before recommending a repair.
Yes, provided the pipe is still holding its shape. A cured-in-place liner or patch is resin-soaked material pressed against the pipe wall by an inflatable packer and left to harden, sealing the cracks and joints roots use to get in. A collapsed section needs excavating and replacing instead.
It depends where they are. Pipes within your boundary that serve only your property are normally yours. Shared sewers and lateral drains beyond the boundary are usually looked after by the water company. Our camera survey pinpoints the location, so you know whether to book a repair or report it.
A straightforward domestic job, including the camera inspection and clearing, can often be completed in one visit. Longer runs, heavy root mats and work involving lining or excavation take more time. We give you a clear idea of what is involved when we quote, and keep you informed as the job progresses.
Related Drainage Services
CCTV Drain Surveys
A camera inspection that shows blockages, cracks, root ingress and collapses inside your pipes. Every survey is recorded, you get a copy of the footage, and we give clear advice on the next step.
Drain Lining
Cracked, leaking or root-damaged drain runs renewed from the inside with CIPP lining. No trenches through your garden or driveway, and a recorded camera survey before work starts.
Patch Lining
A short CIPP patch seals a single crack, hole or leaking joint from inside the pipe. Precise, CCTV-guided repairs that leave the rest of your drain and the ground undisturbed.