By Matthew Baring-Gould, Kingscliff-based drainage plumber. Servicing Tweed Heads for 4 years. 5.0 stars across 173 Google reviews. Licensed NSW 383340C and QLD 15036450. ABN 74 605 392 348.
Kingscliff blocked stormwater. Cleared the roots, found a star picket had cracked the pipe underneath. Classic cause we see when a property has been for sale.
What we found
Hydrojet from the gutter end cleared a series of root blockages. CCTV investigation after the first clear showed the real story: a cracked pipe. The crack was almost certainly caused by a star picket driven into the ground, which is extremely common on properties that have been for sale. Agents and photographers hammer in pickets for signs or lighting without any idea where the services are running underneath. Once the pipe cracks, tree roots find the gap and the drain starts blocking.
What we did
- Hydrojet upstream from the kerb to clear the root mat.
- CCTV survey of the full line.
- Located the break with the camera head locator.
- Quoted the pipe repair for that section.
- Returned later in the week to excavate, cut out the broken section and lay new 100mm pipe.
Takeaway
If your property has recently been for sale and you have a blocked drain, check for star-picket damage before you spend money clearing it twice. Repair the pipe once and the blockages stop.
Call Matty on 0447 188 394 for drainage work across Tweed Heads, the Northern Rivers, the Gold Coast and inner Brisbane.
Customer names and addresses have been withheld. Individual results vary. Drain Masters Plumbing is licensed in NSW (383340C) and QLD (15036450).
Frequently asked
Why does a star picket cause this problem?
A thin picket driven into the ground does not look like much, but if it hits a stormwater or sewer pipe it either cracks the pipe directly or creates a weak point that cracks later as the pipe settles. Once the pipe cracks, water pressure drops, roots sense the moisture and grow in.
How can we tell before we buy a house?
A CCTV drain inspection before purchase picks up this and most other defects. For the cost of a drain camera inspection you avoid a surprise bill later.
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