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.
Classic callback. The drainage behind the wall was fine. The stormwater line further downstream had come apart. Vacuum excavation on a steep block, replaced the lot to the road.
What we found
We had completed drainage behind a retaining wall. The customer rang a few days later saying the water was still coming through. We tested the drainage from our end: fine. Hooked up the CCTV downstream and found a disconnection in the stormwater line, which was backing water up through the entire system, which then showed up as water behind the wall even though the wall drainage itself was working.
What we did
- CCTV survey of the downstream stormwater to the road.
- Located the disconnection.
- Vacuum excavation on the steep block (no safe way to use a traditional excavator, the block was too steep).
- Replaced the majority of the stormwater pipe from the house to the road.
- Backfilled with 5mm drainage gravel.
Takeaway
When drainage keeps failing, the fault is often not where you installed the fix. CCTV downstream before you start digging again.
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
What is vacuum excavation?
High-pressure water loosens the soil, a large vacuum removes it. Safer than digging with a machine around existing services, and essential on steep sites where machinery cannot work.
Why 5mm gravel for stormwater backfill?
Fine gravel compacts well around the new pipe and prevents the pipe from shifting if the ground moves again. It also drains freely so water does not pool against the pipe wall.
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