Service: Blocked Drain Repairs
Location: Morningside, Brisbane
A Morningside homeowner needed help with a blocked sewer drain at their home.
An obstruction inside the pipe was stopping wastewater from flowing through the drain properly. If left, the blockage could have become worse and caused wastewater to back up through the property’s plumbing.
We used high-pressure drain-cleaning equipment, a CCTV camera and a specialist drain locator to clear and inspect the sewer line.
Inspecting the Blocked Sewer Drain
Before the drain problem could be fully checked, we needed a view inside the sewer pipe.
A CCTV drain camera was guided through the line to inspect the drain from within. The footage showed an obstruction inside the pipe.
The camera allowed our plumber to inspect the blocked area without needing to open or excavate the full drain line.
Pinpointing the Drain Problem From Above Ground
Once the camera was inside the drain, specialist locating equipment was used above ground.
The RIDGID locator helped identify the position of the camera head and drain problem beneath the property.
Locating the problem from above ground meant the plumber could target the right section of the sewer line instead of searching across a larger area.
This type of equipment can also help trace the path of a drain and estimate the depth of the camera head.
Clearing the Drain With High-Pressure Jetting
The sewer drain was cleared using a high-pressure jet rod.
High-pressure water was directed through the pipe to break through the obstruction and clear material from the drain line.
This method allowed the blockage to be dealt with from inside the pipe without digging along the full sewer line.
Learn more about our high-pressure drain-cleaning service.
Using the CCTV Camera During the Job
The camera inspection provided a real-time view inside the sewer drain.
It helped our plumber:
- View the obstruction inside the pipe
- Check the problem area
- Guide the drain-clearing work
- Locate the camera head from above ground
- Inspect the sewer line after jetting
The CCTV and locating equipment worked together to give the plumber more information about the drain without broad excavation.
Learn more about our CCTV camera inspection and locating service.
Flow Restored Through the Sewer Drain
The completed job involved:
- Inspecting the blocked sewer drain
- Feeding a CCTV camera through the pipe
- Viewing the obstruction inside the drain
- Using specialist equipment to locate the problem
- Clearing the sewer line with a high-pressure jet rod
- Checking the drain with the camera
The work cleared the obstruction and helped restore flow through the sewer line.
The homeowner’s drain could carry wastewater away from the property again.
What Could Have Happened if the Drain Stayed Blocked?
If the sewer blockage had remained, wastewater could have continued building up behind the obstruction.
The pressure may have forced wastewater back through a toilet, floor drain or another low point in the home’s plumbing.
A sewer overflow could have spread dirty water through the property, creating strong smells, contamination and damage to nearby flooring or walls.
The blockage could also have made toilets and other plumbing fixtures difficult or unsafe to use until the sewer line was cleared.
Signs of a Blocked Sewer Drain
Arrange a drain inspection if you notice:
- Toilets that are slow to flush
- Water rising in a toilet bowl
- Several drains becoming slow at the same time
- Gurgling sounds from sinks or toilets
- Bad smells coming from drains
- Water backing up through a floor drain
- Wastewater appearing outside the home
- A blockage that keeps returning
Learn more about our blocked drain repair services, or contact L&W Plumbing to arrange an inspection.