Drain rooting describes the targeted cutting of tree roots that have entered a pipe through cracked joints or fractures, restricting flow and trapping debris. Engineers typically deploy a rotary cutter on an electro-mechanical cable or a specialist root-cutting nozzle on a high-pressure jetter. North and North West London suffer particularly from sycamore, lime and willow roots invading the older clay drains common in Camden and Haringey. Root cutting is a short-term clearance only, since roots will return through the same defect within months unless the entry point is sealed by patch lining or full relining. A post-cut CCTV survey is essential to identify and grade the defect in accordance with the WRc Manual of Sewer Condition Classification.
Drain rooting
Process of cutting tree roots out of a drainage pipe to restore flow.
