How To Tell If Tree Roots Are Blocking Your Pipes And What to Do Next!

Are Tree Roots Invading Your Pipes? 6 Warning Signs to Watch For

As winter winds down across Queensland, your garden may look calm—but underground, something else could be happening. Tree roots in plumbing pipes are a hidden threat. They can quietly cause serious damage to your drains, water pressure, and even your backyard.

If left untreated, root intrusions often lead to expensive repairs and major plumbing headaches. Fortunately, there are warning signs you can watch for. Here are six red flags that tree roots may have made their way into your pipes—plus what you should do next.

A Sudden Spike in Your Water Bill

Have you noticed a sharp increase in your water bill with no clear explanation? A hidden leak might be the cause. As tree roots force their way into underground pipes, they often create tiny cracks. These cracks allow water to leak slowly—sometimes for weeks—before you even realise there’s a problem.

Slow-Draining Sinks or Toilets

Are your sinks, showers, or toilets draining more slowly than usual? While it could be a clog, it may also be tree roots forming thick tangles inside your pipes. This blockage restricts water flow, which can lead to backups, slow drains, and ongoing frustration with everyday plumbing.

Wet Spots or Sinkholes in the Yard

Is your lawn constantly damp in one area, even during dry weather? Worse still, is the ground beginning to feel spongy or soft? These signs often mean a leaking underground pipe is feeding nearby roots. Over time, this can erode the soil, leading to small sinkholes and costly landscape damage.

Gurgling Noises from Drains

Strange gurgling sounds coming from your bathroom or kitchen drains usually aren’t random. More often than not, these sounds are caused by water struggling to pass through a root-clogged pipe. If your drains are making noise, it’s your plumbing system trying to tell you something’s wrong.

Bad Smells Coming from Drains

A persistent bad smell coming from your sinks, shower, or floor drains may point to organic waste trapped by tree roots. As the waste builds up, it starts to rot, releasing sewer odours. This not only smells unpleasant but could also be a sign of a major blockage below ground.

Weak or Dropping Water Pressure

Has your water pressure suddenly dropped—or slowly declined over time? If so, it might be because tree roots are partially blocking your pipes. In extreme cases, the roots can completely stop water flow, leaving only a trickle where there should be a strong stream.

What Should You Do If You Suspect Tree Roots?

Unfortunately, this isn’t a DIY job. According to the Plumbing Code of Australia, only licensed professionals can repair blockages involving underground sewer or stormwater pipes.

The good news? Fallon Solutions has the expertise and equipment to resolve the issue—fast.

Our licensed plumbers use:

• CCTV drain cameras to pinpoint the exact location and extent of root intrusion

• Mechanical root cutters and augers to clear stubborn growth

• High-pressure water jetters to blast pipes clean and restore full flow

Whether it’s a small root intrusion or a full-scale underground plumbing disaster, Fallon Solutions is available 24/7 to get things flowing again with fixed upfront pricing and our Safe Hands Limited Lifetime Labour Guarantee.

Get Ahead of a Spring Plumbing Disaster

Whether it’s a small intrusion or a full-blown plumbing emergency, Fallon Solutions is ready 24/7 with fixed upfront pricing and our Safe Hands Limited Lifetime Labour Guarantee.

Think you might have tree roots in the wrong places? Book a professional drain inspection today on 1300 712 028 and stop winter’s hidden damage from becoming spring’s biggest problem.