What’s Growing Inside Your Drains?

What’s Growing Inside Your Drains? Why Dry Weather Can Cause Trouble Underground

Quick read:
After prolonged dry weather, tree roots can seek out moisture around underground pipes. If roots find their way through cracks or damaged joins, they can contribute to recurring blockages and pipe damage. Slow drains, gurgling, smells and unexpected pooling water can all be reasons to investigate further.

Why this matters before summer

We tend to think about blocked drains after something stops flowing.

But what causes the blockage can start much earlier.

Tree roots naturally seek water. If an underground sewer or stormwater pipe already has a crack, damaged joint or weak point, roots may penetrate the pipe and continue growing inside it.

Fallon Solutions regularly uses CCTV drain cameras to identify problems such as tree-root intrusion and damaged or collapsed pipework rather than simply guessing what is happening underground.

5 warning signs worth paying attention to

Watch for:

• Slow-draining sinks, showers or baths
• Gurgling toilets or drains
• Unpleasant sewer or drain smells
• Toilets that struggle to flush or back up
• Water unexpectedly pooling around your property

One symptom doesn’t automatically mean tree-root damage, but recurring drainage problems are worth investigating.

Why clearing the blockage may not solve the underlying problem

Removing a blockage can get water moving again.

But if a damaged section of pipe allowed roots to enter in the first place, simply cutting the roots away doesn’t necessarily repair that pipe.

That’s where a CCTV drain inspection becomes valuable.

A small camera is fed through the drainage system so the plumber can see what is happening inside the pipe and identify the location and nature of the problem.

Depending on what is found, the next step might be clearing the blockage, repairing a damaged section or discussing a longer-term solution such as pipe relining.

👀 OCTOBER OFFER: $198 CCTV Pipe Check

Want to know what’s going on underground?

This October, book a $198 CCTV Pipe Check with Fallon Solutions.

Our drain specialists can inspect your pipes, explain what they find and, if further work is recommended, provide clear options and upfront pricing before work proceeds.

Your questions answered

Does a slow drain always mean tree roots?
No. Blockages can have several causes, including debris and other obstructions. A CCTV inspection helps establish what is actually happening.

Can tree roots come back after a drain is cleared?
If the underlying pipe damage remains, root intrusion can recur. The appropriate long-term solution depends on the condition of the pipe.

Do you always have to dig the pipe up?
Not necessarily. In some situations, trenchless pipe-relining technology may allow a damaged pipe to be repaired internally without extensive excavation.

Want to understand more?

WATCH: How Fallon diagnoses and clears a blocked drain
LEARN: How a CCTV drain inspection works
EXPLORE: Drain repairs and pipe relining
CHECK: Fallon drain-cleaning warranty information

Why Fallon Solutions?

More than 60 years helping South East Queensland homes

✓ Licensed and qualified technicians
✓ Fixed, upfront pricing before work begins
✓ Same-day service available
✓ Fallon Safe Hands Promise
✓ Limited Lifetime Labour Warranty on eligible domestic service work
✓ One call for plumbing, electrical, air conditioning and more

We Can Be There Today.

To book, call us on 1800 953 916 or book online here