What Is Causing Blockages in Bronte’s Drains?
The Gully Catchment & Stormwater Overload
The valley is a characteristic drainage element of Bronte. The suburb has been developed around a steep gully, which has historically been referred to as an ‘Ebsworth Glen’ or locally as ‘the gully’, which has the role of transporting storm water from the whole surrounding catchment to Bronte beach. Heavy rain can cause a large amount of water to flow through this catchment, and valley floor and lower slope property drainage can become overwhelmed. Systems don’t handle as well when the catchment is operating at capacity during heavy rain, and plugs that are insignificant in other places become a problem here. If you are experiencing recurrent drainage problems, it’s important to be aware that your drains are part of a catchment system.
Made Ground Over the Old Bronte Tip
A number of Bronte properties are located on filled ground from the old tip site where demolition waste was previously disposed of in the gully. This has caused ground to settle and shift over time in ways that are impossible to predict, and caused stress to underground drainage, resulting in misaligned joins, sagging sections (‘bellies’ that trap water and waste) and cracks where blockages occur. Ground movement can cause drainage issues to recur on these blocks. CCTV would provide a view of what is going on under the surface.
Aged Terracotta & Clay Drains in Period Homes
Original terracotta and clay sewer laterals are found on Bronte’s Federation, California bungalow, and Gothic style houses. Terracotta pipe will harden and crack after 80-100 years, will split and start to separate, and will attract tree roots and sediments. When a period Bronte house has a blockage, it is often an early warning sign that the house’s drainage system is nearing the end of its useful life. The actual condition can be verified by a CCTV inspection.
Tree Roots from the Gully & Established Gardens
The trees in Bronte’s wooded gully are being replanted with native trees, and the mature street trees and established gardens in the suburb are casting their roots in search of water. It’s the water in your drains that they are targeting. Cracked terracotta joins that are being blocked by root growth is one of the more common blockage causes in Bronte’s older homes and homes in close proximity to the bushland gully. Root pruning will not prevent re-entry.
Salt-Corroded Drainage & Coastal Sand
Metal drainage components are harmed by the salt exposure on Bronte’s beaches, and over the years, the wind washed sand from the beaches has worked its way into stormwater systems and is building up. Both can cause blockage in a coastal suburb and both can be effectively cleared with high pressure jetting.
How We Clear Blocked Drains in Bronte
CCTV Drain Camera Inspection
We camera inspect and then clear any blockage in Bronte’s gully catchment, made ground or period home drainage. The inspection reveals the exact cause of the blockage (root intrusion, cracked terracotta, sagging from ground movement over the old tip, stormwater overload, or sand), as well as the condition of the pipe. We record it, demonstrate what we discovered and give it to you in an understandable manner. On a made ground block or older home, this footage will let you know if this is an ad hoc clear of the block or if you need a longer term solution.
High-Pressure Water Jetting
High pressure water jetting up to 5,000 psi cleans and sweeps out sand, sediment, salt residue and compacted coastal debris with a much lower force than mechanical methods can. It can be used on older terracotta without abrasion and works well in the layer that accumulates at a beachside catchment.
Electric Eel (Drain Snake)
A powered electric eel is efficient for root masses, toilet blockages and jobs where it has been established, by CCTV, that the cause is something else. Different configuration and size of pipe is available.
Pipe Relining: The Smart Choice on Steep, Made-Ground Blocks
In Bronte, pipe relining may be the preferred repair for a section of terracotta or clay pipe that cracks, collapses, sags or is damaged by roots. It is hard and disruptive to dig over old tip, on steep blocks. A new pipe is inserted, inflated and cured inside the old pipe to create a smooth, seamless pipe wall. No digging of steep gardens or made ground, no danger of further rooting, and usually a lifespan of 50+ years. The stand out option for Bronte’s combination of slope, made ground and period homes is relining.
Signs Your Bronte Drain Needs Professional Attention
Backup of drainage during or after heavy rain
a strong indicator that the drainage system is not always working properly or is partially blocked (occurring in gully catchment).
Continuous plugging in the same location
indicates roots, crack, or movement/settling in the structure without repairs.
Backflow through a system of pressure
gurgling from drains you aren’t using.
Sewage odour when drains are running
partial blockage/damaged pipe
Wet areas in the garden or down slope
may be a pipe collapsed, corrosion or root intrusion.
Jetting clears a drain
but it fills back up within weeks or months, the root or crack is still present.
Our Bronte plumbing team is on call 24 hours a day in case of an emergency overflow or storm water flooding that can’t wait.
Blocked Drain Costs in Bronte
Pricing is a fixed quote and depends on the work done. No call-out fee.
| Service | Typical Range | What’s Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Drain unblocking (electric eel) | $150-$350 | Removes blockage from sink, toilet or shower and/or bathroom drain. |
| Hydro jetting | $250-$600 | Clearing of main line or kitchen drain, sand or roots with high pressure jetting. |
| CCTV drain inspection | $200-$400 | Camera inspection of drain line across the slope, recorded footage provided. |
| Pipe relining (per metre) | $400-$750/m | Resin lining for cracked terracotta. Does not excavate on steep or made ground blocks. |
| Root removal & treatment | $200-$500 | Removes root intrusion from gully and garden trees & chemical treatment to prevent re-growth. |
| Stormwater drain clearing | $200-$550 | Clear sand, sediment and catchment debris from stormwater line. |
| Emergency blocked drain | $200-$600 | Emergency service (evenings/weekends). No cost for fixed quote on site. |
All prices include GST. The on-site quote is the final price.
