The Problem
When a homeowner in Bell Park noticed their sewer drain had stopped flowing, they called Bay Plumbing & Drainage to investigate. What looked like a straightforward blockage turned out to be a window into a much bigger issue lurking beneath the surface.
The drain was accessed via the 100mm cap on the dropper – the standard entry point for sewer line inspections – and our team got to work.
Service: Blocked Drains | CCTV Drain Inspection
Location: Bell Park, Geelong
What We Found
Before reaching for the jet, we always run a CCTV inspection first. It’s the only way to know exactly what you’re dealing with, and in this case, it paid off.
The camera revealed that while a section of the drain had previously been replaced in modern PVC pipe, a portion of the original vitrified clay (VC) drainage was still in place — running from the WC dropper branch through to the new overflow relief gully (ORG) on the right-hand side of the property. That old clay section had significant tree root intrusion. Left untreated, it was only a matter of time before the roots caused a full blockage again.
The inspection also picked up a secondary issue further down the line. Approximately 19 metres from the WC branch, the newly replaced PVC section was sitting flat with a dropped area that was retaining water – sitting half-way up the pipe.
The likely cause? The drain had been over-excavated and not properly backfilled during the original installation. While the pipe connection itself appeared sound, the water pooling in this section was a recipe for future problems
What We Did
With a clear picture of what was going on, our team carried out high-pressure water jetting to clear the blockage and restore proper flow to the sewer line. The drain was flowing freely by the time we packed up.
All findings were documented and the homeowner was walked through exactly what the camera found, in plain English — no jargon, no guesswork.
We provided two clear recommendations for follow-up works:
- Replace the remaining VC drainage section affected by tree root intrusion to eliminate the risk of recurring blockages
- Rectify the flat and dropped section of PVC pipe to prevent ongoing water retention and long-term drainage performance issues
A quote for the full sewer replacement — converting the remaining VC section to 100mm suspended PVC and tying in at the ORG — has been prepared for the homeowner to review.
The Result
The immediate blockage was resolved on the day. More importantly, the homeowner now has a complete picture of their drainage system’s condition – something they didn’t have before the camera went in. Rather than facing repeated emergency callouts every time the roots regrow, they’re in a position to make an informed decision about a permanent fix.
That’s the difference a CCTV inspection makes. It turns a reactive repair into a proactive plan.
Experiencing a blocked sewer drain in Geelong or the surrounding suburbs? Contact Bay Plumbing & Drainage for fast response, honest advice, and solutions that actually last. Call us on 1300 625 633.
Glossary of Terms
Vitrified Clay Pipe (VC Pipe) An older style of drainage pipe made from fired clay. Common in homes built before the 1980s, VC pipe is still found throughout many established Geelong suburbs. While durable, the jointed sections are vulnerable to tree root intrusion over time as roots seek out moisture at the joins.
100mm Dropper Cap The access point on a sewer drain line — essentially a removable cap that plumbers use to insert inspection cameras or jetting equipment into the drainage system without needing to dig.
WC Branch (Water Closet Branch) The section of drainage pipe that connects a toilet to the main sewer line. When plumbers refer to measuring from the WC branch, they’re using the toilet connection as a fixed reference point.
Overflow Relief Gully (ORG) A deliberately low-set drain point — usually visible as a ground-level grate near the outside of a home — designed to overflow first in the event of a blockage, protecting the interior of a property from sewage backup.
Tree Root Intrusion When tree or shrub roots penetrate a drainage pipe, typically through joins or cracks, in search of water and nutrients. Root intrusion is one of the most common causes of recurring blocked drains in Geelong, particularly in older homes with established gardens.
High-Pressure Water Jetting A drain clearing method that uses a powerful jet of water to cut through blockages, including tree roots, grease, and debris. Unlike drain snaking, which can push blockages further along, jetting clears the full bore of the pipe and flushes the obstruction away.
CCTV Drain Inspection The use of a waterproof camera fed through a drainage system to inspect the pipe’s interior in real time. Allows plumbers to identify blockages, structural damage, and pipe condition without excavation.
Backfill The material (usually sand or gravel) packed back around a pipe after it has been installed underground. Proper backfilling is critical to supporting the pipe’s grade and preventing it from settling flat or dropping — both of which affect drainage flow.
