Historical case study. A Kingscliff stormwater system had been plumbed into a rubble pit as its final discharge point. The rubble pit filled with sediment and leaf debris over years, failed, and started overflowing the stormwater pit above it. Reshaped the area with 40-75mm river rock as a free-drain overflow.
Our Plumbing Blog
Welcome to the Drain Masters Plumbing blog – your trusted resource for all drainage solutions and blocked drains advise. From identifying early signs of a blockage to understanding the best solutions for stubborn clogs, our guides are here to help you keep your drains flowing smoothly. Whether you’re a homeowner or property manager, our expert advice can save you time, stress, and money. Need immediate help or more information on our drainage services? Get a free quote from the Gold Coast & Tweed Heads drainage specialists at Drain Masters Plumbing.
From the archive, Mullumbimby blocked sewer to septic tank: homeowner Karcher pushed the fat deeper
Historical case study. Blocked septic sewer in Mullumbimby. Homeowner had tried to clear it himself with a Karcher pressure washer whip hose, which pushed the fat deeper into the main line and made the problem worse. Hydrojet + bathtub hot-water flush fixed it.
From the archive, Blocked stormwater: neighbour’s gum tree disaligned the boundary pipe
Historical case study. Blocked stormwater, hydrojet cleared it, CCTV showed a cracked and disaligned 100mm pipe along the fence boundary. Cause: the neighbour’s mature gum tree. Dug out the concrete, replaced the pipe section.
From the archive, Builder liquidated, drainage failed on handover: full external perimeter rebuild
Historical case study. A renovation customer was left with a drainage system that failed almost immediately after the builder handed over, and then the builder liquidated. The homeowner called Drain Masters. Full perimeter rebuild, trench right out to the street.
From the archive, Steep-block drainage, part two: 8 cubic metres of gravel pumped 30 metres uphill
Historical case study. Follow-up to a steep-block drainage job. Vacuum excavated behind the wall, waterproofed in three coats, laid two 100mm Aggie pipes. Access was so steep we hired a pumping company to pump 8m³ of 9mm gravel 30 metres up the hill.
From the archive, Steep-block drainage callback: stormwater had come apart downstream
Historical case study. We had done drainage behind a wall. The customer called back saying the water was still backing up. CCTV found a disconnection in the stormwater downstream, vacuum excavated and replaced the pipework out to the road.
From the archive, Kingscliff stormwater: a real-estate star picket cracked the pipe, tree roots found the gap
Historical case study. A Kingscliff stormwater line was blocking. Hydrojet cleared tree roots, CCTV revealed the cause: a star picket driven straight into the pipe, almost certainly from when the house was last for sale. Repair quoted and completed later that week.
From the archive, Blocked drain in a unit complex: no outside access, had to pull the toilet
Historical case study. A unit complex with no external access to the sewer. Removed the toilet to bring the hydrojetter into the bathroom, cleared the line, cleaned up, reset the toilet. The clean-as-you-go matters when you are inside a tenants home.
From the archive, Brisbane disconnector gully: winter kitchen fat and why the sink test matters
Historical case study. A Brisbane commercial kitchen called us with a blocked outside disconnector gully. Winter + accumulated kitchen fat is the classic combination. Fat solidifies in the trap and the trickle flow from the sink is not enough to flush it. Fixed, and gave the owner a free hot-water routine so it does not come back.
From the archive, Brisbane commercial kitchen: grease trap not cleaned, HDPE sewer blocked, kitchen flooded
Historical case study. A Brisbane commercial kitchen called us because they had flooded. The grease trap had not been serviced regularly enough and the HDPE sewer running from the kitchen had packed up with fat. Hours of hydrojetting + hot water flush.
From the archive, Brisbane blocked sewer: only access was an internal snap vent behind the wall
Historical case study. A Brisbane property with a blocked sewer and no external access. The only way in was a snap vent + inspection opening installed inside the house during construction. Mini reel and a very careful setup.
From the archive, Brisbane commercial stormwater: rocks in the line from pits installed with bottom outlets
Historical case study. A commercial Brisbane site called us for a blocked stormwater line. The cause was stormwater pits installed with the outlet on the bottom of the pit, so every rock and leaf landing in the pit went straight into the drain. Hours of upstream hydrojetting.
