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.
Nunderey stormwater line choked with roots. Hydrojet cleared the mass, root-ranger attachment chopped through what the main jet could not, camera then showed the exact pipe break feeding the root ingress. Located the break from the surface and issued a repair quote.
What the customer called us for
Owner-occupier in Nunderey (Northern NSW) with a stormwater line that would not drain. First call to Drain Masters.
What we found when we got there
Root ingress along a section of the stormwater line. Standard hydrojet partially cleared the line but could not finish the job on its own. Camera inspection after the root-ranger attachment showed a clear break in the pipe where the roots had been entering.
Why we did it this way
Clearing roots without finding the entry point just resets the clock. The root-ranger attachment lets us finish the job the standard jet starts, which gives the camera a clean view of the pipe wall. Then we locate the break from the surface so the repair goes straight to the right spot, not three metres away.
What we did on site
- Partially cleared the line with the standard hydrojet nozzle.
- Switched to the root-ranger attachment to chop through the remaining root mass.
- Ran the CCTV camera and identified a clear break in the pipe wall as the root entry point.
- Used the pipe locator from the surface to mark the exact position of the break.
- Issued a written quote for the pipe repair.
The result
Line flowing again. Owner has a surface mark showing exactly where the repair needs to go, a written quote, and the camera footage.
If you have the same issue
If your stormwater has a chronic root problem in Northern NSW, do not keep paying for root cuts every twelve months. One camera-plus-locate visit tells you where the repair needs to happen. One repair stops the roots re-entering for the life of the pipe. 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
What is a root-ranger attachment?
A specialist hydrojet nozzle with chain flails that spin at pressure and cut through root mass that a standard jet nozzle only pushes against. It is the right tool when roots have had years to establish.
Does Northern NSW have a particular root problem?
Yes. Mature paperbarks, camphor laurels and figs are everywhere, and the clay soils push surface roots toward any moisture source. Any older PVC or earthenware line is on the clock.
How accurate is the surface locate?
Within about 20cm of the actual pipe position. That is close enough to dig the right spot and small enough that we are not tearing up more lawn than necessary.
Browse all our case studies.
Residential, commercial, stormwater, sewer, drainage installs across Tweed Heads, the Northern Rivers, the Gold Coast and Brisbane. See the full collection →
