Quick answer
Roots seek moisture and find it at tiny cracks and joints in older clay or concrete sewer pipes. Once a fine root gets through it thickens inside the pipe and traps everything passing through. Cutting them out restores flow but leaves the entry point, so they grow back — usually within a year or two. A CCTV survey identifies where they are entering, which is the only basis for a permanent fix.
Common causes
- Open or perished joints in older clay pipework
- Cracked pipe sections from ground movement or heavy vehicle loading
- Trees planted too close to the drain run, particularly willows and figs
- Long-standing minor leak in the line attracting roots to that point
- Concrete pipe degradation opening up seams over decades
What you can do now
- 1Note how often blockages recur — a clear seasonal or annual pattern strongly suggests roots
- 2Map which trees sit near the drain run between the house and the boundary
- 3Keep the inspection eyes accessible and uncovered by planting
- 4Avoid planting new trees over a known drain line
- 5Keep records of every unblock; the frequency is the argument for fixing it properly
When to call a professional
If you have had roots cleared before, book a CCTV inspection rather than another clearing. Repeat blockages mean the entry point is still open, and re-lining or replacing the affected section usually costs less over a few years than repeated emergency call-outs. The survey also establishes whether the damaged section is on your property or the municipality's.
Typical cost in Johannesburg
CCTV R1,200 · Root cutting R1,400–R2,400 · Pipe replacement varies
Indicative ranges only. We provide written, itemised quotes before any work.
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