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The Mount Waverley Sewer Problem
After constant blockage issues we where contacted for repair works in Mount Waverley. The sewer drain in question was approx. 22m in length with 5 junctions picking up fixtures within the home. As access to the drain was required, we needed to locate an inspection opening just inside the garden bed area. This hole was approx. 700mm in depth and it was top soil the whole way down. Great for gardens, but not so great for pipe movement.
Why Does Mount Waverley Have Sewer and Stormwater Blockages From Tree Roots?
Mount Waverley is an established classic leafy suburb located 16km to the South East of Melbourne’s CBD. The wide streets are known for large mature trees and homes for large gardens. As the name implies, the land is slightly elevated as opposed to surrounding suburbs which contains excellent volcanic soil. With a history during early settlement as an orchid locality, its no wonder plant roots of today grow fantastic into our drainage pipes.
Why Do My Sewer Drainage Pipes Have Cracks?
Top soil is volatile with ground movement during water saturation like Winter, and then Summer drying the ground out, causing large movement over time. Think of the large cracks you seen in dirt during a hot Summer. Droughts and floods over 30+ years is a lot of movement cycles. The top soil depth being quite deep coupled with a pipe not adequately supported during construction with rock screenings, add some ground movement and you have a recipe for any pipes to crack and break. In this instance, it was great enough to crack the pipe work in nearly every direction. Straight lengths of pipe and junctions where all badly damaged.
Why Do I Have Constant Blockages From Tree Roots?
When cracks or breaks form in drainage pipes, whether it be sewer or stormwater, plants detect moisture in the soil and start heading fast. The breaks can be from movement in the pipes over a long period of time or from an accidental break through anybody digging or hitting a steak/post into the ground. Tree roots detect moisture levels in the soil and vibration caused by water running down pipes.
Why Pipe Relining Was the Best Solution
As can be seen, the sewer main ran down the tight sideway underneath a concrete path. The air conditioners, hot water service, concrete path and tree roots all combine to make this a great option for relining due to the massive amount of re-instatement works. The whole lot would need to be removed in order to “dig up” the sewer and then re-installed once complete. There was a large screen of Pittosporum’s from top to bottom which had invaded the pipe on every crack, join and junction.
The Final Sewer Relining Result
The end result was brilliant with a perfect seamless pipe 22m in length consisting of 5 junctions. Structurally sound and bound to not let any more roots into the drain for 50 years. We backfilled a small access hole and swept the concrete path leaving not a trace. Whether you’re living their long term or looking to sell, buyers are more commonly seeking drainage reports leaving the white elephants to soak in the market. Correcting and repairing a home’s infrastructure is a quality investment, but also protecting the structural integrity of the dwelling itself. There will be more on that another time, until then, call Sewer Stormwater Pipe Relining.