Your pool area might look beautiful, but you could be facing persistent drain backups in the vicinity. In the Sutherland Shire and southern Sydney, our investigations using advanced camera technology in blocked sewer or stormwater lines near pools frequently reveal invasive tree roots that have penetrated the joints of older pipelines.
Resolving a blocked pool drain doesn’t always require lifting pavers or digging up your garden. This article explores the causes of such blockages, the techniques we employ to identify them, and how pipe relining offers an effective solution by repairing the issue from within the pipe itself.
What Types of Drainage Systems Are Found Under Your Backyard Pool?
In numerous Sydney backyard pools, the surrounding area is often covered with paving, tiles, decking, retaining walls, and garden beds. Beneath this hardscape, you will typically find several drainage lines:
- The household sewer line
- Stormwater drainage systems originating from the roof, paving, and pool surroundings
- The pool backwash line
- Overflow drains and subsoil drains
It is essential to understand 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 intrusion.
How Can Tree Roots Cause Blockages in Pool Drains?
Tree roots are instinctively drawn to moisture sources, and even a slight leak at a pipe joint can entice them. Roots from trees located several metres away can reach out towards a cracked joint in older terracotta, earthenware, or PVC pipes. Once a small root infiltrates, it flourishes in the damp environment inside the pipe, collecting waste and debris, ultimately leading to a blockage.
When a drain near the pool becomes blocked, the backwash water has no escape route, potentially causing flooding on the pool deck. If the obstruction occurs within the sewer line, it can lead to backups in showers, toilets, and floor drains inside the house.
If you are landscaping around a new pool, consider consulting our guide on suitable tree species to plant to prevent blocked drains. This guide provides information on trees that are safer to position near pipework.
What Signs Indicate a Blocked Pool Drain or Stormwater Line?
Stay vigilant for the following indicators around your pool and inside 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 pools on the pavers or lawn adjacent to the pool
Each of these symptoms suggests a likely blockage or damage to the underground pipe, and a camera inspection will help us pinpoint the issue accurately.
Why Is Excavation Around a Pool Best Avoided?
Accessing the drainage around a pool can be a challenging task that often results in damage. Reaching a pipe typically requires lifting travertine or granite pavers, cutting through concrete slabs or retaining walls, or removing garden beds, turf, or decking. Restoring the paving and landscaping after pipe repairs can be extensive and expensive.
This is why we prefer relining methods over excavation. In the case highlighted below, relining allowed us to work around steep stairs and an established garden without causing disruption.
Case Study: Successful Pipe Relining Near a Pool in Sutherland Shire
A homeowner in the Sutherland Shire contacted us regarding three major 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 significant root intrusion from a nearby tree, fractures 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.
Rather than recommending excavation, we undertook 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 its optimal flow without disturbing the pavers or garden beds. The entire process was completed in under six hours.
What Is the Process of 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 internal surface, and left to cure, effectively forming a new pipe within the old one. This procedure 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 supervises every phase of the relining process, from the initial camera inspection to the final stages, without subcontractors. For further details about the procedure, please visit our pipe relining Sydney page.
When Is Pipe Relining Not Suitable for Pool Drain Repairs?
Pipe relining works well for pipes that are damaged but retain most of their shape. If a section has collapsed to a point where a liner cannot be inserted, that segment will need excavation and replacement. Likewise, if a section has sunk and lost its gradient, the liner will follow the dip, resulting in stagnant water, necessitating reinstallation of the pipe at the correct slope.
Occasionally, our camera inspections reveal that roots have breached the Sydney Water main rather than your private pipes. In such cases, the responsibility for repairs falls to Sydney Water, and we provide the footage necessary to facilitate the reporting process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blocked Pool Drains
Can Drain Pipes Surrounding 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 performed first to assess the damage and ensure a liner can be installed. If any sections have collapsed or sunk, those areas will require excavation and replacement.
What Techniques Are Used to Resolve a Blocked Pool Drain Without Excavation?
We eliminate the blockage using high-pressure hydro jetting and root-cutting tools. After this, we inspect the pipe with a CCTV camera. If the camera detects 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 Common Factors Lead to Blocked Drains Around Pools in Sydney?
Tree roots are a significant cause we encounter around pools, particularly in older terracotta and earthenware pipes. Roots penetrate joints that leak water and continue to grow until they trap debris. A camera inspection will assist in identifying 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 on repair responsibilities, the owner must also clear tree roots that invade the junction at the connection point. If our camera footage indicates 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 time required 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 following the camera inspection.
Schedule a CCTV Inspection for Your Blocked Drain Near the Pool
Our goal is to determine a method for repairing the drain from within the pipe before considering excavation, and we will share the camera footage with you before commencing any work.
If you notice signs of a blocked drain near your pool, arrange for a CCTV inspection or contact 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 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
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