Tree Roots Blocking Pipes: Solutions for Pool Owners

Your pool area may be visually appealing, but ongoing drainage issues can be quite frustrating. In the Sutherland Shire and southern Sydney, our investigations using advanced camera technology in blocked sewer or stormwater lines near pools often uncover invasive tree roots that infiltrate the joints of older pipes.

Fixing a blocked pool drain doesn’t necessarily mean you have to lift pavers or dig up your garden. This article delves into the causes of these blockages, the methods we utilise to detect them, and how pipe relining serves as a robust solution by repairing the problem from within the pipe itself.

What Types of Drainage Systems Are Typically Installed Beneath Your Backyard Pool?

In many backyard pools across Sydney, the surrounding area is often paved, tiled, decked, or enclosed by retaining walls and garden beds. Underneath this hardscape, you can generally find various drainage lines:

• The sewer line connected to the household
• Stormwater drainage systems designed to collect runoff from the roof, paving, and pool area
• The pool backwash line
• Overflow drains and subsoil drains

It is crucial to distinguish between the pool’s filtration pipework, which links the pump, filter, skimmer box, and return jets and functions under pressure, and the drainage systems. Our focus here is on the drainage lines, which are particularly susceptible to tree root intrusion.

How Do Tree Roots Contribute to Blockages in Pool Drains?

Tree roots are naturally drawn to sources of moisture, and even a minor leak at a pipe joint can attract them. Roots from trees positioned several metres away can extend towards a cracked joint in older terracotta, earthenware, or PVC pipes. Once a small root penetrates the pipe, it thrives in the damp environment, capturing waste and debris, which eventually leads to a blockage.

When a drain near the pool becomes blocked, the backwash water has nowhere to go, often resulting in flooding on the pool deck. If the blockage is within the sewer line, it can lead to backflow in showers, toilets, and floor wastes inside the home.

If you are landscaping around a new pool, we recommend consulting our guide on suitable tree species to plant in order to avoid blocked drains. This guide outlines trees that are safer to plant near pipework.

What Symptoms Indicate a Blocked Pool Drain or Stormwater Line?

Pay attention to these signs 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 produces gurgling sounds while the pool is being backwashed
• Water collects on the pavers or lawn adjacent to the pool

Each of these indicators suggests a potentially blocked or damaged pipe underground. A camera inspection will enable us to pinpoint the issue accurately.

Why Is Excavation Around a Pool Often Not the Best Approach?

Gaining access to drainage around a pool can prove challenging and often results in damage. Locating 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 costly.

This is why we favour relining methods over excavation. In the case highlighted 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 uncovered substantial 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 our intervention, while the second depicts the same pipe after the relining process.

Instead of recommending excavation, we took 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 without disturbing the pavers or garden beds. The entire process was completed in under six hours.

What Is the Pipe Relining Process Without Excavation?

We use 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 inner surface, and allowed to cure, effectively forming a new pipe within the old one. This method seals any cracks, leaking joints, and points of entry that tree roots may exploit. 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 each stage of the relining process, from the initial camera inspection to the final stages, without involving subcontractors. For more information on the process, please visit our pipe relining Sydney page.

When Is Pipe Relining Not Suitable for Pool Drain Repairs?

Pipe relining is most effective for pipes that are damaged but still retain their shape. If a section has collapsed to the point where a liner cannot be inserted, that segment will require excavation and replacement. Similarly, if a segment has sunk and lost its gradient, the liner will follow the dip, resulting in stagnant water, necessitating the reinstallation of the pipe at the correct slope.

At times, our camera inspections may reveal that roots have penetrated the Sydney Water main instead of your private pipes. In such cases, the responsibility for repairs falls to Sydney Water, and we provide the footage necessary to assist in the reporting process.

Common Queries About Blocked Pool Drains

Can the Drain Pipes Surrounding a Pool Be Relined?

Definitely. 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 are collapsed or sunk, those areas will need to be excavated and replaced.

What Methods Are Used to Unblock a 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 reveals 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 needing to lift pavers, cut slabs, or disturb the garden.

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

Tree roots rank among the leading causes of blockages we encounter around pools, particularly in older terracotta and earthenware pipes. Roots penetrate leaking joints and 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?

Property owners are accountable for their own pipes. According to Sydney Water’s guidelines on repair responsibilities, the owner must also clear tree roots that invade 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 supply the necessary footage for reporting.

How Long Does Pipe Relining Take Near a Pool?

The relining project in Sutherland Shire discussed in this article 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 requiring sealing, and the accessibility of the entry point. We will provide you with a timeline after the camera inspection.

Book a CCTV Inspection for Your Blocked Drain Near the Pool

We aim to determine a method for repairing the drain from within the pipe before considering excavation, and we will show you the camera footage 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 searching for.