CLEARMASTERS
call-outs
4,000 psi
the cause
tankers
in drainage
The basics
Why roots and scale cause problems
Tree roots are one of the most common causes of repeat blockages. They find their way in through joints and cracks looking for water, then grow into a mat that catches everything flowing past.
Once the roots are out, we check the pipe with a CCTV camera. If the joints are open, drain lining seals them so the roots can’t get back in.
We do this work across Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent, Hampshire and London, with tankers and engineers in each area most days.
Scale is a hard build-up of minerals, fat and debris that narrows the pipe over time. Both keep coming back if they’re only partly cleared, which is why a drain can block again soon after it’s been rodded.
Watch it happen
How roots are cut out of a drain
A rotating cutter, driven by water pressure, cuts the roots back to the pipe wall without digging.
Making it last
Stopping them coming back
Cutting roots out clears the drain, but the way in is still there. Depending on your drain, we may recommend:
A camera check
To confirm the pipe is clear and see any damage the roots have caused.
Patch lining or relining
Sealing the joints and cracks so roots can’t get back in.
Planned jetting
Regular maintenance for drains prone to roots or scale.
Repairs
Where roots have broken the pipe, excavation and replacement.
Why Clearmasters
Why choose us?
We don’t just clear the roots and leave. We survey, cut, and seal the pipe if it needs it, so the problem is solved rather than put off.
Ask us a questionDay or night
We’re on call 24/7, 365 days a year, for blocked drains and flooding.
We find the cause
A camera check shows why it blocked, so it doesn’t keep happening.
We can fix it properly
Root cutting, lining and repairs by the same team, if the drain needs more than clearing.
Care with older pipes
We choose the method to suit the pipe, and take extra care with fragile materials like pitch fibre.
What our customers say
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Scores as of September 2026
Questions answered
Root cutting FAQs
How do you remove roots from a drain?
With a rotating cutting head driven by water pressure, which travels along the pipe and cuts the roots back to the pipe wall. The debris is then flushed out.
Will the roots grow back?
They can, because the joint or crack they came in through is still there. Lining the pipe or patch-lining the joint stops them getting back in.
Does root cutting damage the pipe?
Not when it’s done properly. We survey the pipe first and choose the right method, taking extra care with older, fragile pipes.
What is descaling?
Removing hard deposits of minerals, fat and debris from inside a pipe, using jetting and cutting tools, to restore its full bore.
Do I need to dig up the drain?
Usually not. Root cutting, descaling and lining are all done from inside the pipe. Only badly broken pipes need excavation.
Got a different question? Call 03333 233566 or send us a message.
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