If you have cleared the same drain more than once this year, the drain is telling you something. A one-off blockage is bad luck. A repeat blockage is a sign of a deeper problem.

Tree roots

Roots look for water and nutrients, and cracked or loose joints in clay and old concrete pipes are an easy way in. Once a root gets in, it grows into a thick mass that catches paper and waste. Roots can be cut out with a jet or cutter, but they come back unless the pipe is repaired or relined.

Broken or collapsed pipes

Ground movement, heavy vehicles and age can crack or crush pipes. Signs include a sudden blockage, damp patches in the yard and a sewer smell. A camera shows the damage so the plumber can repair only what is needed.

Poor fall or sagging pipes

A drain needs a steady slope. If a section has sunk, water pools and solids settle. That is called a belly. It will block again and again until it is fixed.

Grease and wipes

Fat poured down the sink cools and sticks to the pipe wall. Wipes do not break down like toilet paper, even if the pack says flushable. They gather together and block the line. Keep both out of your drains.

What a CCTV inspection shows

A small waterproof camera on a flexible cable is fed into the drain. The plumber watches a live video, finds the blockage and checks the pipe condition. You get a clear answer and can avoid digging in the wrong place.

Clearing and repair options

High pressure jetting scours the pipe wall clean. Cutters remove roots. For damaged sections, a spot repair or replacement may be needed. We explain what we saw on the camera and the choices you have.

Keep it clear

Use strainers, keep roots in mind when planting trees near drain lines, and call us early if you notice slow drains or smells.

How roots get into pipes in the first place

A healthy sealed pipe does not let roots in. The trouble starts at joints. Older clay pipes were laid in short lengths with rings or cement at each join, and over decades the ground shifts and those joints open up by a small amount. Tiny roots follow the moisture and slip through the gap. Once inside, they find warm water and nutrients and thicken fast. A fine hair root can become a rope across the pipe within a year or two.

Trees with thirsty roots such as willows, gums and some figs are common culprits, but any tree or large shrub near a drain can cause trouble. If you plan to plant, keep fast-growing species well away from the sewer line. Your plumber can tell you where the line runs.

Signs the blockage is deeper than the sink

Slow flushing, gurgling noises when a washing machine empties, bubbling in the shower drain, and damp or sunken ground over the line are all signs the problem is in the main drain. Another sign is a blockage that clears after a snake or a jet and then returns in weeks. It means the cause is still there.

Why the cheapest fix is not always the cheapest

Clearing a root blockage with a cutter gets the water moving, but roots left in the pipe walls regrow. Paying for a clear every few months can add up to more than a proper repair. A camera inspection lets you weigh the two. If the pipe is cracked in one spot, a spot repair or a short replacement may fix it for good.

Planning for repair work

Some repairs need digging. Others can be done with no trench using methods your plumber will explain. Before any dig, the plumber should locate the pipe and check for other services such as water, gas and power lines. You should get a clear quote that says what is being done and what is included, such as reinstating the surface.

What you can do between visits

Keep a record of when the drain blocks and what was going on at the time, such as heavy rain or lots of laundry. Show the plumber. Keep wipes, fat, coffee grounds and nappies out of the system. If you are selling or buying, a drain camera report is useful evidence of the pipe condition.

Is it your drain or the shared one?

Where the blockage sits decides who pays. If it is in your own pipes, inside the boundary, it is usually your cost. Sewer and stormwater lines outside the boundary, or shared lines serving more than one property, may belong to the water authority or the council. A camera inspection shows where the problem is and how far along the pipe it sits.

If you are not sure, ask your water authority before paying for a big repair. Barwon Water, for example, explains on its sewer blockages page that its responsibility runs from the sewer main to the first inspection opening or one metre inside the property boundary, whichever is less, and other authorities do the same for their area.

Why a quick clear is not always the cheap option

A cheap clear that has to be repeated every few months costs more than a repair done once. If a drain blocks again soon after a clear, ask for a camera look and a plain explanation of what is wrong. If it is roots, ask whether a spot repair or a section replacement is possible. If it is a sag, ask whether it can be fixed without digging up the whole yard.

Keep the camera footage or a photo of the problem. It helps if you need a second opinion or have to talk to your insurer or a neighbour.

Habits that cut repeat blockages

Use strainers in the kitchen sink and shower. Wipe greasy pans with paper before washing. Do not put wipes, nappies or paper towel down the toilet, even if the label says flushable. Run hot water after washing up. Keep tree roots in mind when you plant near drain lines.

None of this guarantees a clear drain, especially in older pipes, but it reduces the load on the line.

More to read:

Where we work: Geelong, Melbourne CBD, Werribee and the full list of service areas.

Talk to GSA Plumbing Services

We work across Geelong and Melbourne, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 0401 041 103 or use the contact page. Quotes are free and there is no call-out fee.