When a toilet just refuses to flush, it can look like a relatively simple problem, but things can get a whole lot more complicated. In fact, there’s often more to it than meets the eye, and a whole bunch of different parties can be responsible for the pipes involved; it could be you, the Council or the water corporation itself.
Melbourne’s public sewer mains are apparently getting blockages left, right & centre in 2024-25, with an average of 20 or so blockages for every 100 kilometres of pipe, and the state’s water regulator reckons that during dry years it’s all down to the ground shifting and roots looking for a drink.
These numbers stop at the property boundary, so they don’t take into account the private pipes that crisscross backyards in Glen Waverley. And those pipes belong to you, making it rather important to know exactly where your responsibilities begin and end before you call a plumber Glen Waverley.
Where Exactly Do You Stop And They Start?
If a blocked drain is causing chaos and you’re searching for a local ‘plumber in Glen Waverley’, before you start asking how to clear the blockage you’re probably going to want to know who’s responsible for the pipe. Monash Council says that property owners are on the hook for maintaining their own private drains until they connect to the Council network. And these pipes can run under the footpath or nature strip or even across a neighbour’s property.
Stormwater drains are a bit more complicated still; it can be any of several different parties. Depending on where you are, you might have to deal with the property owner, the Council, VicRoads, or Melbourne Water, and each one looks after their own bit of infrastructure.
Sewer pipes are a similar story; property owners are responsible for keeping them in good working order up until they connect with the water corporation’s sewer branch. So Monash residents should know whether to report any pipe faults to South East Water or Yarra Valley Water, and which one is responsible for their street.
Unfortunately, a drain that’s shared by multiple properties is still a private drain, meaning the owners share the responsibility for its maintenance. So, if you’re a renter, you’ll need to get in touch with your landlord, who can sort out a licensed plumber for you.
If it’s not entirely clear where the blockage is, a licensed plumber will have to track it down first. The property sewerage plan and boundary trap can be useful in figuring out where your bit of pipe ends and where someone else’s starts. If the problem is in the water corporation’s pipe, then it’s free to fix. They might also reimburse any reasonable costs you incurred to figure out the problem, but there are a few circumstances attached.
Why Do Roots Just Love Getting Into Your Pipes?
Tree roots are just following the water, so even a small crack or a loose joint in your pipes is all they need to get in. And during dry periods they’re even more keen to find a drink, including from pipes carrying moisture around the city. Water utility guidance reckons that roots are the main cause of the majority of Melbourne’s sewer and drain blockages.
Older pipes with lots of joints are just more inviting to roots than the modern, longer lengths of PVC that are used these days. And you don’t even need to be the one with the tree that’s causing the problem; the roots can easily spread into a neighbour’s garden and into your pipes from there.
Monash inspects every street tree each year and has an online system for residents to report any hazardous roots. But if it’s a tree on private property that’s causing the problem, well, that’s your problem and you’re the one who’s got to sort it out.
What If The Rain Is Causing You Problems?
Paving, construction and even building townhouses can affect the way rainwater drains on your property. Rain that previously soaked into your lawn can start to drain in the direction of a neighbour’s fence. Newer constructions often utilise on-site detention systems to slowly drain stormwater, and it is the responsibility of a property owner to take care of it.
Council manages the system of kerbs, pipes and pits on streets, but severe storms can still overload it. Leaves and debris in pits can complicate the situation further. Council will respond to complaints within ten working days, with water in a resident’s house taking the first priority for Council services.
Permits are required to connect a private drain to the Council system, and drainage inspections have to be done first.
Interpreting The Symptoms And Choosing The Solution
A poorly flushing toilet, slow-draining sink, foul drain smell or sewerage leaking out could all be signs of a clog. Recurring clogs in one particular spot could mean that tree roots cause the problem.
Until the problem is fixed, a household should reduce water usage to a minimum and refrain from flushing toilets and using washing machines. Camera inspection of drainage will reveal the exact source of the problem before any digging starts, minimising the scope of the repair work. Pictures and video footage from the inspection can also be used in making insurance or reimbursement claims afterwards.
The findings of the camera inspection should dictate the repair methods, and not vice versa.
- Root cutting removes obstruction quickly, but roots can regrow towards the moisture source again.
- Relining will seal the pipe internally without excavation, and will work for undamaged pipes.
- Replacement will be appropriate for broken or misaligned sections of pipe.
The property owner should immediately notify the insurance company about the damage caused by the overflow. The process of scheduling ‘Plumber Glen Waverley’ service will become much easier after the pipe boundary has been established and camera footage obtained.
The pipe under the lawn might have functioned properly for years. Now that the problems have begun, ownership will turn out to be more important than which tool will fix the issue.
