Blocked drains, the Geelong picture
Tree roots lead the damage
The City of Greater Geelong says tree root intrusion, into its pipes and private ones, is its biggest cause of pipe damage. It asks owners to think about easements and underground pipes before planting.
Your stormwater, your pipes
Gutters, downpipes, pits and underground drains on private land are privately owned. You maintain them up to and including the legal point of discharge, even if a section runs under a neighbour's easement.
No plans on file
Council doesn't hold plans of private underground pipes, because plumbers aren't required to lodge them. Finding a buried line can mean tracing it on site.
Older suburbs and flash floods
Council says drainage in older suburbs often can't handle every rain event. Water that won't drain after a storm can be a blocked drain, or a system at capacity.
Stormwater block or sewer block?
Look at when it happens. Overflowing gutters, a pit that won't empty or a soggy patch after rain point to stormwater. A gurgling toilet, a slow shower or a smell outside near the laundry point to the sewer side.
On the sewer side, the pipe from your house eventually joins Barwon Water's network. We couldn't confirm Barwon Water's rule on where its responsibility starts, so if the blockage looks close to your boundary, ask the plumber to stop and check with Barwon Water before clearing or digging. Council's pages do say Barwon Water is responsible for broken sewer infrastructure that causes seepage. Our sewer pipe guide has the rules for each company we've confirmed.
Council's drains, easements and lids
The City of Greater Geelong maintains its own pipes, inlets, pits, open drains, retarding basins and litter traps. It is not responsible for private stormwater pipes.
If an easement crosses your block, the land is still yours and so are the trees, weeds and shrubs growing on it. Council can ask an owner to clear vegetation that blocks access, at the owner's expense, and it may seek costs if your plants caused a blockage. Grass over an easement is what Council recommends.
One rule surprises people: Council asks residents never to lift or move a stormwater lid, for safety reasons. If a street pit is blocked, report it to Council instead.
Sewage coming up in a Geelong home
Stop running water
No flushing, showers, washing machine or dishwasher until the drain is clear.
Check the overflow gully
Find the grated drain outside, usually near the laundry or bathroom. If the grate has lifted and sewage is spilling there, the system is doing its job. Keep people and pets away.
Get a drain specialist
They will find where the blockage sits and what caused it. Ask them to tell you before work starts if it looks like it's on Barwon Water's side.
Questions to ask a Geelong drain plumber
- Is this a stormwater line or a sewer line?
- Where is the blockage, and is it on my property or near the boundary?
- Will you camera the pipe so I can see if roots have cracked it?
- If roots are the cause, what stops them coming back?
- Does any part of this sit in an easement, and do I need Council's consent?
What we would do
Clearing roots without looking at the pipe usually buys you a few months. Ask for a camera inspection once the drain runs again, and keep the footage. If the line is cracked, a repair or relining quote will make more sense than repeat clean-outs. And if the plumber thinks the blockage is in Barwon Water's part, let Barwon Water look before anyone keeps working, so you aren't left paying for its pipe.