Roots blocking a drain

I'd say conifers, 99.9% sure, Egghead. At the size you say they are, their roots would be large. Far too close to the drains!

Good luck - I hope it's not all-out war with your neighbours!

I agree with Spritz having had to dig up massive conifers, the roots are definitely large enough to do the damage. the upshot is that whoevers roots are responsible for the damage they are liable for the repair costs

I compleatly agree with Henry' have you though of reporting the blockage to your local council, without an opinion on what caused it ' you will be surprised how quickly it will be put right,with no bother atall for you.

Does your insurance cover your drains if it does they will give you advise?

You need an official identification of the roots present in the drain to work out who's responsible and thus, who foots the bill. If you have buildings insurance, it might be worth contacting them to see if they can arrange for someone to analyse the roots. Otherwise, try contacting the council to see if they can point you in the right direction, or, if all else fails, a firm of architects, who will definitely know of a company that will do this kind of analysis. If you have insurance, though, your insurance company should be interested in working out who's liable.

You could suggest to him that if it isn't his trees you'll put some Roundup down the drain.

the key words are drain and council' you need to do nothing but report the drain.

Ireland may be different Cliffo?

I hesitate to tell you this, Heron, but it is now illegal to put any harmful substance where it might end up in a drain - even weedkiller dregs must now be spread over the ground, not poured down a drain.

Thanks to everyone who replied. The local authority disclaim any responsibility for drains within the gardens of the properties. The insurance company disclaims any liability for problems caused by the planting of trees by the property owners. The neighbour refuses to contribute to the (substantial) cost of the investigative work already carried out (excavation ; form access chamber ; pressure jetting ; camera survey ; report) or the even more substantial pending cost of the necessary remedial work (de-rooting ; re-lining), and argues that it could be my hedge roots just as easily as his tree roots that caused the problem. I have consulted a solicitor. The court case will rely heavily on evidence about the "ownership" of the roots. I was hoping to hear that hedge roots couldn't act in this way, whereas conifer tree roots are notorious for it. I will ultimately have to commission a report from someone (?) but I was hoping to get an advance indication as to the likely outcome of such a report by asking you folks the original question. Thanks again for your time and interest.

Over here it would likely be cheaper to pay for the costs to repair the drains then go to court. I am surprised at your insurance company if you are covered I thought they had to pay up and then recover costs if the roots arnt yours? Have you looked at your deeds if you share the drain they may have to pay half? Good luck it can be a costly buisness.

it sounds like you have already had enough egghead
I wish you the very best and hope it works in your favour

x x x

The people already looking at the drains may well know a company or a laboratory where sample roots can be sent - you really will have to get them identified, I'm afraid.

This was my first time using an Internet "questions" forum of this nature to seek advice on an issue of this (or any other) kind. It was most gratifying to receive those cordial and helpful replies from all of you very kind, very nice people. Thank you all very much indeed. Goodnight and good wishes to you all.

First you need to establish who is responsible for maintenance of the drain. If it is a shared sewer then there may be many people responsible. Trying to get them all to accept responsibility is another matter. If it is a private drain then the owner is responsible for that drain. Trying to establish where the roots are coming from is a difficult matter. Generally what happens in these cases is that the person that is affected sorts the problem out! Sometimes works are carried out in default by the local councils environmental department. Also bear in mind that root problems affecting a drain will normally be covered under your house insurance.
You might want to look at this site for further information www.drain-help.com

Surely you don't think I was serious Bamboo!!

Um, yes I did !