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.
Second job at the same Bundall property. Stormwater line showed tree-root ingress at a poorly made connection into the council kerb. Cleared the roots back on the day, quoted a proper repair of the connection point.
What the customer called us for
While we were on site for the kitchen clean, the owner asked us to put the camera down the stormwater line because it had been slow for a while.
What we found when we got there
Tree roots coming in through the connection between the property stormwater and the council kerb outlet. The join itself had been poorly made at some point in the past, which gave the roots a soft spot to enter.
Why we did it this way
You can keep clearing roots out of a bad joint every six to twelve months, or you can repair the joint once and stop the roots re-entering. If the connection is already damaged, root removal alone just resets the clock.
What we did on site
- Ran the hydrojet with the root cutter attachment along the stormwater line.
- Pulled the loose root mass back to the pit by hand.
- Followed up with the CCTV camera to confirm the roots were coming in at the kerb connection, not along the main pipe body.
- Marked the ground above the damaged joint using the pipe locator.
- Issued a written quote for a proper repair of the kerb connection so the roots cannot re-enter.
The result
Flow restored on the day. Customer has a quote for the longer-term fix and understands exactly where the root ingress is coming from.
If you have the same issue
If your stormwater backs up every six to twelve months in the same spot, do not keep paying for root cuts. Get the pipe camera-surveyed and the entry point repaired once. Over three years the repair pays for itself. 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
Is the council responsible for the kerb join?
In most councils the connection point itself is on the owner side of the boundary. If the camera shows the fault is past the boundary, it becomes a council matter.
Why do roots always find joints?
Joints are the only part of a sealed pipe where there is a gap. Trees are opportunistic. Any pin-point of moisture leaking out of a joint will attract fine root hairs within one season.
How long does the joint repair itself take?
Usually a half-day job. Dig down to the joint, cut out the damaged section, replace with a new fitting, backfill. Reinstating the surface (concrete, pavers, lawn) adds extra time.
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