Your pool area may look beautiful, but persistent drainage issues could be causing concern. In the Sutherland Shire and southern Sydney, our investigations often reveal that invasive tree roots have penetrated the joints of older pipes, as uncovered through our camera technology in blocked sewer or stormwater lines near pools.
Resolving a blocked pool drain doesn’t necessarily require lifting pavers or digging up your garden. This article explores the causes of these blockages, the techniques we use to identify them, and how pipe relining effectively addresses the problem from inside the pipe.
What Types of Drainage Systems Are Installed Beneath Your Backyard Pool?
In many Sydney backyard pools, the area surrounding the pool is typically covered with paving, tiles, decking, retaining walls, and garden beds. Beneath this hardscape, you will usually find various drainage lines:
- The sewer line extending from the household
- Stormwater drainage systems that collect water from the roof, paving, and pool surroundings
- The pool backwash line
- Overflow drains and subsoil drains
It is essential 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 that are particularly vulnerable to tree root intrusion.
What Role Do Tree Roots Play in Causing Blockages in Pool Drains?
Tree roots are naturally attracted to moisture, and even a small leak at a pipe joint can lead them to invade. Roots from trees that are several metres away can reach a broken joint in older terracotta, earthenware, or PVC pipes. Once a small root enters, it flourishes in the moist environment inside the pipe, trapping waste and debris, which ultimately causes a blockage.
When a drain near the pool becomes blocked, the backwash water lacks an escape route, potentially resulting in flooding on the pool deck. If the blockage occurs within the sewer line, it can lead to backups in showers, toilets, and floor wastes inside the house.
If you are landscaping around a new pool, you may find our guide on suitable tree species helpful for preventing blocked drains. This guide highlights trees that are safer to plant near pipework.
What Signs Indicate a Blocked Pool Drain or Stormwater Line?
Be vigilant for the following indicators around your pool and within your home:
- Pool water drains slowly or backs up during backwashing
- The backwash line overflows
- Water bubbles up through a garden drain or grate
- A sink or shower emits gurgling sounds when the pool is being backwashed
- Water gathers on the pavers or lawn near the pool
Each of these symptoms suggests a potential blockage or damage to the underground pipe, and a camera inspection can help us locate the issue accurately.
Why Is Excavation Around a Pool Best Avoided?
Accessing drainage around a pool can be challenging and often results in damage. Reaching a pipe typically involves 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 costly.
This is why we prefer relining techniques over excavation. In the example highlighted below, relining allowed us to work around steep stairs 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 significant issues in their backyard:
- A blocked stormwater line next to their in-ground pool
- Gurgling noises emanating from the back garden
- Water pooling in a tiled corner
Our CCTV drain inspection revealed substantial root intrusion from a nearby tree, cracks in an old earthenware line, and multiple blocked junctions located approximately 3 metres beneath the pavers.
The accompanying images illustrate the situation: the first shows the blocked pipe before intervention, while the second depicts the same pipe after the relining process.
Instead of recommending excavation, we proceeded with 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 any disturbance to the pavers or garden beds. The entire process was completed in under six hours.
How Does Pipe Relining Work Without Excavating?
We use 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 creating a new pipe within the old one. This method 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 phase of the relining process, from the initial camera inspection to the final stages, without subcontractors. For more details on 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 retain most of their shape. If a section has collapsed to the extent that a liner cannot be inserted, that segment will require excavation and replacement. Likewise, if a section has sunk and lost its gradient, the liner will follow the dip, leading to stagnant water, necessitating the reinstallation of the pipe at the correct slope.
Occasionally, our camera inspections reveal that roots have infiltrated the Sydney Water main rather than your private pipes. In these cases, the responsibility for repairs falls to Sydney Water, and we provide the footage needed to facilitate the reporting process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blocked Pool Drains
Can the Drain Pipes Surrounding a Pool Be Relined?
Absolutely. We can reline the sewer and stormwater pipes situated beneath pool surrounds, provided the pipe retains its shape. A camera inspection is conducted first to assess the damage and ensure 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 Resolve a Blocked Pool Drain Without Excavation?
We clear the blockage using high-pressure hydro jetting and root-cutting tools. After this, we inspect the pipe with a CCTV camera. If the camera reveals cracked joints or root entry points, 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 issue we encounter around pools, particularly in older terracotta and earthenware pipes. Roots penetrate leaking joints 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?
Property owners are 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 falls to Sydney Water, and we will provide the necessary footage to report it.
How Long Does the Pipe Relining Process 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 time required for your drain will depend on the length of the affected area, the number of joints needing sealing, and the accessibility of the entry point. We will provide you with a timeline following the camera inspection.
Schedule a CCTV Inspection for Your Blocked Drain Near the Pool
We aim to identify a method for repairing the drain from within the pipe before considering excavation, and we will show you the camera footage prior to commencing any work.
If you notice signs of a blocked drain near your pool, book a CCTV inspection or reach out to The Blocked Drain Guys at 0418 408 333. Craig or one of our team members will explain the inspection process and what we will be investigating.
Original Article First Published At: When Tree Roots Block Pipes Around Your Pool — And How to Fix It Without Digging Up Your Garden
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