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.
Tweed Heads sewer blocked. Owner wanted investigation before clearing to keep costs down. Camera found a 100mm PVC run that had been compressed by the root system of a mature tree directly above it. Located the exact deformity. Owner decided to self-excavate the tree.
What the customer called us for
Owner-occupier in Tweed Heads with a blocked sewer. Explicitly asked us to investigate first with the camera before any clearing work, to keep the invoice down.
What we found when we got there
Camera pushed from the house toward the council main. In the middle of the run, the 100mm PVC pipe had been compressed and partially flattened. Directly above that point sat a mature tree. Over years the growing root ball above the pipe had put enough downward pressure on the PVC to deform it. The deformity itself had become the chokepoint.
Why we did it this way
On an investigation-first job the right thing is not to clear immediately. Clearing a deformed pipe does not actually fix the deformity, it just resets the clock. The correct output of the visit is a precise diagnosis and a precise location so the owner can make the right call on the repair.
What we did on site
- Ran the CCTV camera down the sewer from the house.
- Identified the compressed section of 100mm PVC in the middle of the run.
- Located the position of the deformity from the surface using the pipe locator.
- Confirmed a mature tree was sitting directly above the pipe at the same marked point.
- Marked the ground with a spray mark so the owner could begin their own excavation.
- Issued a written diagnosis so the owner has a reference for whichever path they take.
The result
Precise fault location in writing. Owner has chosen to self-excavate the tree, which is often the right call on a residential block where the owner has access to the equipment.
If you have the same issue
If your sewer is a repeat blocker and there is a mature tree anywhere near the pipe run, an investigation-first camera job is the cheapest and best money you can spend. Clearing without diagnosis is paying twice. 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
Can a tree really compress 100mm PVC?
Yes, over years. The root ball of a mature tree weighs a lot and the growing roots exert constant pressure. On 100mm PVC installed shallow, that pressure is enough to flatten the pipe over time.
Is it legal to remove a tree over a sewer line?
Depends on council rules and whether the tree is listed as significant. Most councils allow removal where there is a documented infrastructure impact. The written report we provide gives the owner the evidence pack for a tree-removal application if needed.
What is the repair after the tree is out?
Expose the compressed section, cut the deformed pipe out, replace with a straight section of PVC, backfill with proper bedding material. Usually a half-day job.
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