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.
Blocked sewer at a Tweed Heads house with no accessible inspection opening. We cut a hole in the stack above the main line, extended the hydrojet downstream, found tree root ingress at the bottom of the bend, and switched to the root ranger head to cut the roots out. CCTV flagged a sagged section of PVC holding water in the backyard.
What the customer called us for
Customer called us out for a blocked sewer at a Tweed Heads property. No existing inspection opening on the line.
What we found when we got there
We cut a hole in the stack that leads into the main sewer line and extended the hydrojet downstream. The hydrojet hit the blockage and we cleared it, then switched to the root ranger attachment to cut out the tree root ingress at the bottom of the bend. When we ran the camera through the rest of the line, we found a section of sagged PVC in the backyard holding standing water.
Why we did it this way
On a line with no accessible inspection opening, cutting a controlled hole in the stack is faster and cheaper than digging. The root ranger lets us clear the blockage with a jet pass and then cut the actual roots out with a dedicated backward-facing head. That turns a two-visit job into a one-visit job. The sagged PVC is a separate issue; left unaddressed it will cause the same blockage again, because effluent sitting in a dip solidifies and traps the next lot.
What we did on site
- Cut a controlled hole in the stack above the main sewer line.
- Extended the hydrojet downstream to the blockage.
- Flushed the blockage through.
- Switched to the root ranger head and cut out the tree root ingress at the bottom of the bend.
- Ran the CCTV camera through the rest of the line.
- Marked and quoted the sagged section of PVC in the backyard for repair.
The result
Line flowing again on the day. Customer has a camera report, the location of the sag marked, and a quote for the repair when they are ready.
If you have the same issue
If your sewer blocks and there is no accessible inspection opening on the line, cutting a hole in the stack is the fastest way to get access without digging. For an older property with mature trees, pair the clear with a CCTV survey so you know what else is waiting to block. Call Matty on 0447 188 394 or request a quote.
Customer names and addresses have been withheld. Individual results vary. Drain Masters Plumbing is licensed in NSW (383340C) and QLD (15036450).
Frequently asked
Why cut a hole in the stack instead of digging?
Digging a new inspection point on a line without one means excavation, concrete reinstatement, and two days of work. Cutting a hole in the stack gets us to the line in minutes and gets sealed with a proper inspection cap when we are done.
What is the root ranger head and why use it?
The root ranger is a hydrojet attachment with backward-facing jets and a cutting head. It lets us push the head past a blockage, then cut tree roots on the way back through. Standard jet heads only flush, they do not cut.
What happens if I ignore a sagged PVC section?
Effluent pools in the sag because gravity will not carry it through. Toilet paper and solids settle in the dip and start building up a new blockage. You will see the same drain back up again, and the fix does not get cheaper.
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