Tree Roots Blocking Pipes: Solutions for Pool Areas

Your pool area may be aesthetically pleasing, but frequent drain backups nearby can lead to significant frustration. In the Sutherland Shire and southern Sydney, our detailed investigations using advanced camera technology in blocked sewer or stormwater lines close to pools frequently reveal that invasive tree roots have infiltrated the joints of older pipework.

Addressing a blocked pool drain doesn’t always necessitate lifting pavers or digging up your garden. This article delves into the causes of blockages, the techniques we employ to detect them, and how pipe relining serves as an effective solution by repairing the issue from within the pipe itself.

What Drainage Systems Are Installed Beneath Your Backyard Pool?

Many backyard pools in Sydney are typically surrounded by paving, tiles, decking, retaining walls, and garden beds. Beneath this hardscape, you will usually find several drainage lines:

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

It’s crucial 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. This discussion concentrates on the drainage lines, which are particularly susceptible to tree root intrusion.

In What Ways Do Tree Roots Create Blockages in Pool Drains?

Tree roots are naturally drawn to sources of moisture, and even a small leak at a pipe joint can attract them. Roots from trees located several metres away can grow towards a cracked joint in older terracotta, earthenware, or PVC pipes. Once a tiny root enters the pipe, it thrives in the moist environment, trapping waste and debris, which ultimately leads to a blockage.

A blockage in a drain near the pool can prevent backwash water from escaping, potentially causing flooding on the pool deck. If the blockage occurs within the sewer line, it can lead to showers, toilets, and floor wastes inside the home backing up.

If you are landscaping around a new pool, we recommend consulting our guide on suitable tree species to plant to minimise the risk of blocked drains. This guide includes information on trees that are safer to plant near pipework.

What Are the Warning Signs of a Blocked Pool Drain or Stormwater Line?

Stay alert 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 emits gurgling sounds while the pool is being backwashed
• Water accumulates on the pavers or lawn adjacent to the pool

Each of these symptoms indicates a potentially blocked or damaged pipe underground. 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 complicated process that often results in damage. To reach a pipe, it typically requires 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.

For this reason, we prefer relining methods over excavation. In the case highlighted below, relining enabled us to work around steep stairs and an established garden without causing any disruption.

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

A homeowner in the Sutherland Shire reached out to us about 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 uncovered considerable root intrusion from a nearby tree, cracks 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.

Instead of suggesting excavation, we undertook the following steps:

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, with no disruption to the pavers or garden beds. The entire procedure was completed in under six hours.

What Does the Pipe Relining Process Involve Without Excavation?

We utilise a technique known as 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, effectively forming 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 undisturbed.

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

When Is Pipe Relining Not Suitable for Pool Drain Repairs?

Pipe relining is effective 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 part will require excavation and replacement. Similarly, if a section has sunk and lost its gradient, the liner will follow the dip, causing stagnant water, which necessitates the reinstallation of the pipe at the correct slope.

Occasionally, our camera inspections reveal that roots have invaded the Sydney Water main rather than your private pipes. In such scenarios, the responsibility for repairs rests with Sydney Water, and we provide the footage necessary to assist in the reporting process.

Common Questions About Blocked Pool Drains

Can the Drain Pipes Surrounding a Pool Be Relined?

Certainly. We can reline the sewer and stormwater pipes located beneath pool surrounds, provided the pipe maintains its shape. A camera inspection is conducted first to assess the damage and confirm that a liner can be installed. If any sections have collapsed or sunk, those areas will require excavation and replacement.

What Methods Are Used to Clear a Blocked Pool Drain Without Excavation?

We eliminate the blockage 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 through an existing access point. This repair effectively seals the damage without the need to lift pavers, cut slabs, or disturb the garden.

What Are the Primary Causes of Blocked Drains Around Pools in Sydney?

Tree roots are a significant contributor to blockages we encounter around pools, particularly in older terracotta and earthenware pipes. Roots infiltrate joints that leak water and continue to grow until they trap debris. A camera inspection will help identify the specific cause of the blockage in your drain.

Who Is Responsible 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 clear 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 to report it.

How Long Does Pipe Relining Take Near a Pool?

The relining project in Sutherland Shire referenced in this article was completed in under six hours, including 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 requiring sealing, and the accessibility of the entry point. We will provide you with a timeline following the camera inspection.

Book a CCTV Inspection for Your Blocked Drain Near the Pool

We aim to find 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 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.