Plumber Bulli

Blocked drains in Bulli: find the cause, then clear it

Sydney Water lists the warning signs of a wastewater blockage: sinks, baths or toilets emptying slowly, a toilet that won't flush properly, gurgling from a toilet or floor drain, and wastewater overflowing from the gully near your outside tap. Any one of them is worth a call before it turns into an overflow.

When a blockage keeps coming back, we start with a CCTV drain inspection. A waterproof camera on a flexible rod goes down the line, so we can see whether we're dealing with roots, a build-up of fat and wipes, a foreign object or a damaged section.

Then we clear it in the way that suits the cause, often with drain jet blasting, where a high-pressure water jet breaks up the blockage and scours the inside of the pipe. If the camera shows the pipe itself is broken, we'll explain the repair options before anything else happens.

Where does your sewer line run?

Sydney Water's guidance is that property owners are responsible for the wastewater pipes from their home up to the point where they connect to Sydney Water's network. Knowing where your line runs makes every drain job easier.

Before planting trees, Sydney Water suggests getting a sewerage service diagram through its Tap in service so you know where your pipes are, and it recommends keeping new trees at least 6 metres from wastewater pipes.

That matters because, as Sydney Water notes, tree roots can work their way into small cracks in wastewater pipes and keep growing until they slow or block the line. If an established tree is the problem and it's staying, a plumber can set up a regular maintenance plan. Ask us about preventative plumbing maintenance.

Everyday plumbing in Bulli homes

Not every call is underground. Our Bulli work also includes kitchen sinks, taps and mixers, showers and baths, toilets, stormwater, and burst pipes and leaks, along with renovation and new-home plumbing, including renovations for builders.

Planned jobs get a free quote before we start. The free plumbing safety report that comes with every job is also a good moment to point out anything else you've noticed, such as a dripping tap or a toilet that won't stop running.

After hours in Bulli

Emergencies in Bulli get a response within 2 hours, and the phone is answered 24/7 on 0411 251 759.

If sewage is coming up through a floor drain, keep everyone clear and stop using water in the house until we arrive. If a pipe has burst, close the meter tap, which is usually just inside the front boundary. If your drains have been making noises lately, our guide to why drains gurgle explains what that early warning means.