Ryde facts that shape a plumbing job
More units than houses
At the 2021 Census, 55.7% of the suburb's occupied homes were flats or apartments, 35.4% separate houses and 8.8% townhouses or semis. 45.1% were rented, well above the NSW figure of 32.6%.
One council, start to finish
The City of Ryde covers 16 suburbs between the Parramatta and Lane Cove rivers. Some are shared with neighbouring councils, but Ryde itself sits wholly inside the City.
Pipes are the owner's asset
Council says sewer and stormwater pipes on a property belong to its owner. Downpipes, gully pits, private outlets and the connection into Council's stormwater system are all the owner's to keep in good order.
Roots follow failing pipes
The City of Ryde says roots aren't known to enter well maintained pipes. When they get in, it's usually because the pipe has deteriorated or the seals joining it have failed.
A leak in your unit: lot owner or owners corporation?
NSW strata rules split the job. In most cases the lot owner looks after plumbing in internal walls and fixtures such as baths, toilets, sinks and showers. Pipes in boundary walls and under the floor are usually the owners corporation's, along with water damage that comes from common property.
In an emergency you can call a tradesperson yourself. If the cause turns out to be the owners corporation's responsibility, you may be able to get your money back. NSW suggests taking photos and asking the plumber for written details of the problem and the repair.
Planning a new bathroom? Because it involves waterproofing, NSW treats it as a major renovation that needs a special resolution at a general meeting. See bathroom plumbing in Sydney.
Tree roots in an older line
Council lists the usual suspects for a blocked sewer line: tree roots, the wrong things flushed or poured away, collapsed sections, ground subsidence, debris and silt. Since roots usually mean a cracked pipe or failed joint, clearing them alone may not last. A camera inspection shows whether the line needs patching, relining or replacing.
Sydney Water owns the junction on its main. Everything upstream of it is yours, including the point of connection, and Sydney Water expects owners to clear roots that grow into that connection.
When the City of Ryde may not act on surface water
- Natural run-off from higher properties, following the slope of the land
- Water running across driveways and other hard surfaces
- Run-off that only happens in exceptionally heavy rain
- Overflow from stormwater absorption pits
- Discharge from a defective or blocked private inter-allotment drainage easement
- Seepage water, which Council says is each owner's responsibility
What we would do
In a unit, ring your strata manager before booking anyone, unless water is coming through the ceiling. Then call a plumber, photograph everything and ask for a written report, because that report decides who pays. In a house with recurring root blockages, pay for a camera inspection before the next clear-out: a drain specialist can show you whether the pipe itself has failed.