Your pool area may look beautiful, but frequent drain backups can be a significant hassle. In the Sutherland Shire and southern Sydney, our investigations, utilising advanced camera technology for blocked sewer or stormwater lines near pools, frequently reveal invasive tree roots that have penetrated the joints of older pipe systems.
Resolving a blocked pool drain doesn’t always require lifting pavers or digging up your garden. This article explores the causes of blockages, the techniques we employ to identify them, and how pipe relining offers a robust solution by fixing the problem from within the pipe itself.
What Types of Drainage Systems Are Located Beneath Your Backyard Pool?
In many Sydney backyard pools, the surrounding area is typically paved, tiled, decked, or enclosed by retaining walls and garden beds. Beneath this hardscape, several drainage lines are usually present:
- The household sewer line
- Stormwater drainage systems from the roof, paving, and pool area
- The pool backwash line
- Overflow drains and subsoil drains
It’s important to note that the pool’s filtration pipework, which connects the pump, filter, skimmer box, and return jets, operates under pressure and is separate from the drainage systems. This discussion focuses on the drainage lines, which are especially vulnerable to tree root invasion.
How Do Tree Roots Create Blockages in Pool Drains?
Tree roots naturally seek out moisture, so even a small leak at a pipe joint can entice them. Roots from trees located several metres away can reach towards a cracked joint in older terracotta, earthenware, or PVC pipes. Once a small root enters, it flourishes in the moist environment, trapping waste and debris, ultimately leading to a blockage.
When a drain next to the pool becomes blocked, the backwash water cannot escape, potentially causing flooding on the pool deck. If the blockage occurs in the sewer line, it may result in showers, toilets, and floor wastes inside the home backing up.
If you are landscaping around a new pool, we recommend consulting our guide on appropriate tree species to plant to avoid blocked drains. This guide offers insights into trees that are safer to position near pipework.
What Signs Indicate a Blocked Pool Drain or Stormwater Line?
Watch for these indicators around your pool and inside your home:
- Pool water drains slowly or backs up during backwashing
- The backwash line spills over
- Water rises through a garden drain or grate
- A sink or shower makes gurgling sounds when the pool is being backwashed
- Water pools on the pavers or lawn next to the pool
Each of these symptoms suggests a potentially blocked or damaged underground pipe, and a camera inspection will help us accurately identify the issue.
Why Should You Avoid Excavation Around a Pool?
Gaining access to the drainage around a pool can be a challenging task that often results in damage. Accessing a pipe typically requires lifting travertine or granite pavers, cutting through concrete slabs or retaining walls, or removing garden beds, turf, or decking. After repairing the pipe, restoring the paving and landscaping can be extensive and expensive.
This is why we prefer relining methods over excavation. In a case highlighted below, relining allowed us to navigate around steep steps and an established garden without causing disruption.
Case Study: Successful Pipe Relining Solutions Near a Pool in Sutherland Shire
A homeowner in the Sutherland Shire contacted us about three major issues in their backyard:
- A blocked stormwater line next to their in-ground pool
- Gurgling sounds emanating from the back garden
- Water pooling in a tiled corner
Our CCTV drain inspection revealed significant root intrusion from a nearby tree, cracks in an old earthenware pipe, and multiple blocked junctions located about 3 metres beneath the pavers.
The images below illustrate the situation: the first shows the blocked pipe before our intervention, while the second shows the same pipe after the relining process.
Instead of recommending excavation, we executed the following steps:
- We cleared the line using high-pressure hydro jetting and root-cutting tools.
- We installed a resin liner throughout the damaged section to seal the cracked junctions and joints.
The stormwater line was restored to optimal flow without disturbing the pavers or garden beds. The entire process was completed in under six hours.
What Is the Process for Pipe Relining Without Excavation?
We employ a method known as cured-in-place pipe relining. A resin-soaked liner is inserted into the damaged section of the pipe, pressed against the interior surface, and allowed to cure, effectively forming a new pipe within the old one. This technique seals any cracks, leaking joints, and entry points exploited by tree roots. We access the pipe through an existing entry point, such as an inspection opening, ensuring that the surrounding pavers and garden remain undisturbed.
Our dedicated team manages every stage of the relining process, from the initial camera inspection to the final steps, without involving subcontractors. For more information about the procedure, please visit our pipe relining Sydney page.
When Is Pipe Relining Not Suitable for Pool Drain Repairs?
Pipe relining is appropriate for pipes that are damaged but still retain most of their shape. If a section has collapsed to a degree that a liner cannot be inserted, that portion will need to be excavated and replaced. Similarly, if a section has sunk and lost its gradient, the liner will follow the dip, leading to stagnant water, which requires reinstallation of the pipe at the correct slope.
Sometimes, our camera inspections reveal that roots have penetrated the Sydney Water main rather than your private pipes. In these cases, the responsibility for repairs lies with Sydney Water, and we provide the footage needed to facilitate the reporting process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blocked Pool Drains
Can the Drain Pipes Around a Pool Be Relined?
Absolutely. We can reline the sewer and stormwater pipes situated beneath pool surrounds, provided the pipe maintains its shape. A camera inspection is conducted first to assess the damage and confirm that a liner can be installed. If any sections have collapsed or sunk, those areas will need to be excavated and replaced.
What Techniques Are Employed to Unblock a Pool Drain Without Excavation?
We remove the blockage using high-pressure hydro jetting and root-cutting tools. After this, we inspect the pipe with a CCTV camera. If the camera identifies cracked joints or root intrusion, we can install a resin liner from within the pipe through an existing access point. This repair effectively seals the damage without the need to lift pavers, cut slabs, or disturb the garden.
What Are the Common Causes of Blocked Drains Around Pools in Sydney?
Tree roots are a primary culprit we frequently encounter around pools, particularly in older terracotta and earthenware pipes. Roots infiltrate joints that leak water and continue to grow until they trap debris. A camera inspection will help identify the specific cause of the blockage in your drain.
Who Is Accountable for Removing Tree Roots from a Sewer Pipe in Sydney?
The property owner is responsible for their own pipes. According to Sydney Water’s guidelines regarding repair responsibilities, the owner must also clear tree roots that invade the junction at the connection point. If our camera footage shows that the roots are within the Sydney Water main, the responsibility for repairs lies with Sydney Water, and we will provide the necessary footage for reporting.
How Long Does Pipe Relining Take Near a Pool?
The relining project in Sutherland Shire mentioned in this article was completed in under six hours, which included root clearing and lining of the damaged section. The duration for your drain will depend on the length of the damaged area, the number of joints needing sealing, and the accessibility of the entry point. We will provide you with a timeline after the camera inspection.
Schedule a CCTV Inspection for Your Blocked Drain Near the Pool
We strive to determine a method for repairing the drain from within the pipe before considering excavation, and we will share the camera footage with you prior to commencing any work.
If you notice signs of a blocked drain near your pool, arrange for a CCTV inspection or get in touch with The Blocked Drain Guys at 0418 408 333. Craig or one of our team members will detail the inspection process and what we will be looking for.
Original Article First Published At: When Tree Roots Block Pipes Around Your Pool — And How to Fix It Without Digging Up Your Garden
The Article: Tree Roots Blocking Pipes Around Your Pool: Fixing Without Digging first appeared on https://writebuff.com
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