Why CCTV First — Not a Snake or a Guess
Most blocked drain call-outs start the same way — a drain that's been slow for weeks, then stops working altogether. The temptation is to run a drain snake and call it done. The problem with that approach is it treats the symptom, not the cause. If tree roots are involved, snaking clears just enough to get the drain flowing again — but the roots grow back within months.
On this Glenroy job, we put the CCTV camera down first. Within 2.27 metres of the access point, the camera showed exactly what we were dealing with: dense root mass filling most of the pipe's internal diameter, combined with a section of pipe that had shifted and was no longer correctly aligned. That information changed how we approached the clearance.
What the CCTV Showed
The screen on the RIDGID SeeSnake monitor tells the full story. You can see the pipe interior almost completely filled with fine root fibres — orange-brown, radiating inward from the pipe wall at every angle. At the centre, a small gap where some water could still pass. This is a mature root intrusion, not a recent one. The roots had been growing in this pipe for years, slowly reducing flow until the drain became unusable.
The compromised pipe section — where the line had shifted — was also visible downstream of the root mass. A shifted drain line creates a low point where solids settle and accelerate blockage. Even after clearing the roots, a shifted line will block again more quickly than a correctly-laid one. We noted this for the client and discussed their options including pipe relining for a longer-term fix.
Clearing roots with a snake gives temporary relief — typically 6 to 12 months before the drain blocks again. A high pressure jetter cuts the roots cleanly at the pipe wall and buys more time. For a permanent solution, pipe relining seals the pipe internally so roots can't re-enter.
High Pressure Jetter — How It Works
A high pressure jetter forces water through a specialised nozzle at pressures up to 4000 PSI. The rotating nozzle cuts through root material, breaks up grease and sediment, and flushes the debris down the line. Unlike a snake, which only punches a hole through a blockage, the jetter scours the entire internal pipe wall — leaving it much cleaner and restoring close to full flow capacity.
On this job, the jetter cleared the root mass completely. We ran the CCTV a second time after jetting to confirm the pipe was clear and to get a cleaner look at the compromised section further down the line. Drain was flowing freely before we left the site.
Signs of Tree Root Intrusion in Glenroy
When one fixture is slow, there's usually a localised blockage. When several — shower, basin, laundry — are all slow at once, the blockage is in the main drain line, which is where roots typically enter.
Air being pushed through the system as water drains causes gurgling in nearby fixtures. If your toilet gurgles when you run the shower, the main line has restricted flow — roots are a common cause.
If your drain has blocked, been cleared, and blocked again within 12 months — especially without an obvious cause — roots are likely involved. Each time the blockage is cleared without addressing the roots, they re-establish faster.
Glenroy's established gardens include large trees whose root systems extend well beyond the canopy. If you have a large tree within 5–10 metres of your sewer or stormwater line, root intrusion is a matter of when, not if.
Glenroy 3046 is in the City West Water service area. Private drain lines — from your home to the boundary — are your responsibility. The connection point to the sewer main is where council jurisdiction begins. We can advise on what's private and what's not before any work starts.
What We Did on This Job
- CCTV inspection from the nearest downstream access point — identified root mass at 2.27m and a compromised pipe section further downstream
- High pressure jetter deployed to cut and flush the root mass from the pipe wall
- Post-jetter CCTV run to confirm clearance and inspect the full accessible length of drain line
- Written report to client noting the compromised section and recommended next steps
- Drain tested at multiple fixtures before we left — full flow restored
Blocked Drain in Glenroy?
We carry the CCTV camera and jetter on the van. Same-day service, diagnosis before we quote, fixed price before we start.