What this plumber pulled from the ground left even experts speechless
- Replies 26
Tree roots may seem harmless on the surface, but beneath the ground, they can wreak havoc in ways many homeowners never anticipate.
What starts as a simple planting decision can quietly lead to unexpected—and expensive—damage over time.
A recent discovery on a property has highlighted just how invasive tree roots can be, serving as a cautionary tale for anyone with greenery near their home.
A plumber on the Gold Coast uncovered an astonishing five-metre-long tree root growing inside a water tank, highlighting a costly mistake many homeowners unknowingly make.
Elliot Aisthorpe, from Big Country Earthworks, used an excavator to extract the enormous root system, which had been thriving inside the old tank for years.
Plumber Trent Piribauer explained that the roots had likely been growing for over a decade, warning that if left unchecked, they could cause severe damage.
‘Once you start to suspect any issues, get them looked at sooner rather than later because once roots start to become a certain size, you unfortunately just have to dig it up,’ he said.
He added that at a certain point, maintenance machinery would no longer be effective, leaving homeowners with no choice but to undertake costly excavation.
‘And when you dig it up, it blows out costs massively.’
The discovery served as a stark reminder of the risks associated with planting trees too close to a house, especially those with invasive root systems.
Piribauer advised homeowners to be mindful of where they plant trees, particularly near plumbing lines.
‘Don't plant anything root-dense and thirsty along plumbing lines...I recommend just not planting anything along the side of a house,’ he said.
Tree roots are naturally drawn to water, and even the smallest crack in a drainage pipe can attract them, leading to serious plumbing issues.
Aisthorpe’s discovery was not an isolated incident, as another plumber on the NSW Central Coast recently encountered the largest root he had seen in his 20-year career.
Although traditional concrete water tanks are becoming less common, they can still pose problems if left standing on a property.
Piribauer recommended that homeowners remove old tanks when updating their plumbing to prevent them from becoming a magnet for roots.
‘When it becomes dilapidated like this the tree is like "s***, look at all the nutrients. I'm coming in here, baby".’
Watch the full video below.
In a previous story, experts urged Aussie homeowners to inspect their water tanks after a shocking discovery revealed just how vulnerable they can be.
The latest findings only reinforce the risks of neglecting old or unused tanks.
Read more to find out if your water tank could be at risk.
Have you ever faced an unexpected plumbing disaster caused by tree roots?
Share your story in the comments—we’d love to hear how you handled it!
What starts as a simple planting decision can quietly lead to unexpected—and expensive—damage over time.
A recent discovery on a property has highlighted just how invasive tree roots can be, serving as a cautionary tale for anyone with greenery near their home.
A plumber on the Gold Coast uncovered an astonishing five-metre-long tree root growing inside a water tank, highlighting a costly mistake many homeowners unknowingly make.
Elliot Aisthorpe, from Big Country Earthworks, used an excavator to extract the enormous root system, which had been thriving inside the old tank for years.
Plumber Trent Piribauer explained that the roots had likely been growing for over a decade, warning that if left unchecked, they could cause severe damage.
‘Once you start to suspect any issues, get them looked at sooner rather than later because once roots start to become a certain size, you unfortunately just have to dig it up,’ he said.
He added that at a certain point, maintenance machinery would no longer be effective, leaving homeowners with no choice but to undertake costly excavation.
‘And when you dig it up, it blows out costs massively.’
The discovery served as a stark reminder of the risks associated with planting trees too close to a house, especially those with invasive root systems.
Piribauer advised homeowners to be mindful of where they plant trees, particularly near plumbing lines.
‘Don't plant anything root-dense and thirsty along plumbing lines...I recommend just not planting anything along the side of a house,’ he said.
Tree roots are naturally drawn to water, and even the smallest crack in a drainage pipe can attract them, leading to serious plumbing issues.
Aisthorpe’s discovery was not an isolated incident, as another plumber on the NSW Central Coast recently encountered the largest root he had seen in his 20-year career.
Although traditional concrete water tanks are becoming less common, they can still pose problems if left standing on a property.
Piribauer recommended that homeowners remove old tanks when updating their plumbing to prevent them from becoming a magnet for roots.
‘When it becomes dilapidated like this the tree is like "s***, look at all the nutrients. I'm coming in here, baby".’
Watch the full video below.
In a previous story, experts urged Aussie homeowners to inspect their water tanks after a shocking discovery revealed just how vulnerable they can be.
The latest findings only reinforce the risks of neglecting old or unused tanks.
Read more to find out if your water tank could be at risk.
Have you ever faced an unexpected plumbing disaster caused by tree roots?
Share your story in the comments—we’d love to hear how you handled it!
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