Tree Roots Blocking Pipes? Solutions for Pool Issues

Your pool area might be visually stunning, but persistent drain backups could be lurking nearby. In the Sutherland Shire and southern Sydney, our investigations using advanced camera technology in blocked sewer or stormwater lines adjacent to pools frequently uncover invasive tree roots that have infiltrated the joints of older pipes.

Addressing a blocked pool drain doesn’t always necessitate lifting pavers or digging up your garden. This article delves into the various causes of blockages, the techniques we utilise to identify them, and how pipe relining provides a practical solution by tackling the issue from within the pipe itself.

What Drainage Systems Are Found Beneath Your Backyard Pool?

In many Sydney backyard pools, the areas surrounding them are usually covered with paving, tiles, decking, retaining walls, and garden beds. Beneath this hardscape, you can typically find several drainage lines:

• The household sewer line
• Stormwater drainage systems that collect runoff from the roof, paving, and pool surroundings
• The pool backwash line
• Overflow drains and subsoil drains

It’s essential to understand that the pool’s filtration pipework, which connects the pump, filter, skimmer box, and return jets, operates under pressure and is distinct from the drainage systems. Our focus here is on the drainage lines, which are particularly susceptible to tree root intrusion.

How Do Tree Roots Create Blockages in Pool Drains?

Tree roots instinctively seek out sources of moisture, and even a minor leak at a pipe joint can draw them in. Roots from trees situated several metres away can stretch towards a cracked joint in older terracotta, earthenware, or PVC pipes. Once a small root penetrates the pipe, it thrives in the damp environment, accumulating waste and debris, ultimately causing a blockage.

When a drain near the pool becomes blocked, backwash water has no exit, which can lead to flooding on the pool deck. If the blockage is in the sewer line, it may result in showers, toilets, and floor waste inside the house backing up.

If you are landscaping around a new pool, consider consulting our guide on suitable tree species to plant, which can help prevent blocked drains. This guide provides insights into trees that are safer to position near pipework.

What Symptoms Suggest a Blocked Pool Drain or Stormwater Line?

Keep an eye out for the following signs 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 gurgles when the pool is being backwashed
• Water accumulates on the pavers or lawn near the pool

Each of these indicators points to a potentially blocked or damaged pipe underground, and a camera inspection will enable us to accurately identify the issue.

Why Is Excavation Around a Pool Best Avoided?

Accessing drainage around a pool can be a challenging endeavour that often leads to damage. Typically, reaching a pipe 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 favour relining methods over excavation. In the case below, relining allowed us to navigate around steep stairs and an established garden without causing disruption.

Case Study: Effective Pipe Relining Solutions Near a Pool in Sutherland Shire

A homeowner in the Sutherland Shire reached out to us regarding three significant issues in their backyard:

• A blocked stormwater line adjacent to their in-ground pool
• Gurgling noises coming from the back garden
• Water pooling in a tiled corner

Our CCTV drain inspection revealed extensive root intrusion from a nearby tree, cracks in an old earthenware line, and multiple blocked junctions situated 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 took the following actions:

1. We cleared the line using high-pressure hydro jetting and root-cutting tools.
2. 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 disrupting the pavers or garden beds. The entire process was completed in under six hours.

What Is the Pipe Relining Process 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 allowed to cure. This creates a new pipe within the old one, effectively sealing 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 the surrounding pavers and garden remain undisturbed.

Our dedicated team oversees every phase of the relining process, from the initial camera inspection to the final stages, without the involvement of subcontractors. For more details on the procedure, please visit our pipe relining Sydney page.

When Is Pipe Relining Not Appropriate for Pool Drain Repairs?

Pipe relining is suitable for pipes that are damaged but still maintain 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, which necessitates reinstalling the pipe at the correct slope.

Occasionally, our camera inspections reveal that roots have penetrated the Sydney Water main instead of your private pipes. In these instances, the responsibility for repairs lies with Sydney Water, and we provide the footage necessary to support the reporting process.

Common Questions About Blocked Pool Drains

Can the Drain Pipes Surrounding a Pool Be Relined?

Definitely. We can reline the sewer and stormwater pipes beneath pool surrounds, provided the pipe retains its shape. A camera inspection is conducted first to evaluate 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 Clear a Blocked Pool Drain Without Excavation?

We clear blockages using high-pressure hydro jetting and root-cutting tools. Following 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 via an existing access point. This repair effectively seals the damage without necessitating the lifting of pavers, cutting of slabs, or disturbance of the garden.

What Common Issues Lead to Blocked Drains Around Pools in Sydney?

Tree roots are a predominant cause we encounter around pools, particularly in older terracotta and earthenware pipes. Roots penetrate leaking joints and continue to grow until they capture 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 remove tree roots invading 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 to facilitate the reporting process.

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 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.

Arrange a CCTV Inspection for Your Blocked Drain Near the Pool

Our objective is to identify a method for repairing the drain from inside the pipe before considering excavation. We will show you the camera footage prior to commencing any work.

If you observe signs of a blocked drain near your pool, schedule 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.