Your pool area may look magnificent, but you could be dealing with persistent drain backups nearby. In the Sutherland Shire and southern Sydney, our investigations using advanced camera technology in blocked sewer or stormwater lines next to pools often reveal invasive tree roots that have penetrated the joints of older pipe systems.
Resolving a blocked pool drain does not always require lifting pavers or digging up your garden. This article explores the causes of blockages, the techniques we use to detect them, and how pipe relining offers an effective solution by repairing the damage from within the pipe itself.
What Types of Drainage Systems Are Present Under Your Backyard Pool?
In many Sydney backyard pools, the surrounding area is typically covered with paving, tiles, decking, retaining walls, and garden beds. Beneath this hardscape, several drainage lines are usually found:
- The sewer line from the household
- Stormwater drainage systems coming from the roof, paving, and pool surroundings
- The pool backwash line
- Overflow drains and subsoil drains
It is essential to recognise that the pool’s filtration pipework, connecting 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 particularly vulnerable to tree root intrusion.
How Do Tree Roots Cause Blockages in Pool Drains?
Tree roots are instinctively attracted to sources of moisture, and even a slight leak at a pipe joint can draw them in. Roots from trees located several metres away can stretch toward a cracked joint in older terracotta, earthenware, or PVC pipes. Once a small root infiltrates, it thrives in the moist environment inside the pipe, capturing waste and debris, which ultimately leads to a blockage.
When a drain near the pool gets blocked, the backwash water has no way to escape, potentially resulting in flooding on the pool deck. If the blockage resides in the sewer line, it can cause showers, toilets, and floor wastes inside the home to back up.
If you are landscaping around a new pool, consider consulting our guide on suitable tree species to plant to prevent blocked drains. This guide contains valuable 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 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 adjacent to the pool
Each of these symptoms signifies a potentially blocked or damaged pipe underground, and a camera inspection will help us accurately pinpoint the issue.
Why Is It Better to Avoid Excavation Around a Pool?
Accessing the drainage around a pool can be a challenging task that 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 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 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 adjacent 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, cracks in an old earthenware line, and multiple blocked junctions located approximately 3 metres beneath the pavers.
The images below 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 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, with no disturbance to 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 technique called cured-in-place pipe relining. A resin-soaked liner is inserted into the damaged section of the pipe, pressed against the interior surface, and left to cure, effectively creating a new pipe within the old one. This process 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 untouched.
Our dedicated team manages every phase of the relining process, from the initial camera inspection to the final stages, without involving subcontractors. For more details 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 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. Similarly, if a section has sunk and lost its gradient, the liner will follow the dip, resulting in stagnant water, which necessitates the reinstallation of the pipe at the correct slope.
Occasionally, our camera inspections reveal that roots have penetrated the Sydney Water main rather than your private pipes. In such cases, the responsibility for repairs lies with Sydney Water, and we provide the footage necessary 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 located beneath pool surrounds, provided the pipe maintains its shape. A camera inspection is performed initially 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 Utilised 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 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 necessity to lift pavers, cut slabs, or disturb the garden.
What Common Issues Contribute 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 pinpointing 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 remove 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 earlier was completed in under six hours, which included root clearing and lining of the damaged section. The timeline 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 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 contemplating excavation, and we will present the camera footage 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 a member of our team 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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