{"id":180061,"date":"2025-09-30T13:06:12","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T13:06:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/180061\/"},"modified":"2025-09-30T13:06:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T13:06:12","slug":"tradies-warning-to-aussies-after-six-metre-discovery-in-drain-near-flooded-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/180061\/","title":{"rendered":"Tradie’s warning to Aussies after six-metre discovery in drain near flooded home"},"content":{"rendered":"

A tradie\u2019s \u201cmassive\u201d six-metre discovery in a flooded home\u2019s stormwater drain<\/a> has sparked an urgent warning to Aussies. Last week, a family living in Bilgola, on Sydney\u2019s Northern Beaches<\/a>, noticed that a pipe running down the side of their property wasn\u2019t draining properly, forcing water from the backyard to seep into their house.<\/p>\n

Seeking urgent help, they contacted Kevin Barry, a local man who has been tackling blocked drain pipes<\/a> in the area for more than 30 years. When he arrived at the home on Wednesday, it didn\u2019t take him long to identify the culprit \u2014 a roughly six-metre-long tree root with a width of about 10cm had invaded their stormwater pipe, causing serious issues.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe pit was very close to the back door, so it flooded the house,\u201d Barry, who co-owns Streamline Drains & Pipelines<\/a> with his wife Alex, told Yahoo News Australia, noting that tree roots often work their way into stormwater systems \u201cwhere the integrity is broken\u201d, whether that\u2019s a crack in a pit, or a pipe\u2019s joint.<\/p>\n

However, residents are typically oblivious until heavy rainfall brings the issue to light.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you have tree roots in your sewer, because you\u2019re using it every day and it\u2019s got paper and solids going through it, you get a warning. You get gurgles, or the flush isn\u2019t quite right \u2014 you get some sort of indication that there\u2019s a problem coming,\u201d Kevin explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith stormwater, because there\u2019s no solids going through it, it has to be 100 per cent fully blocked in order for the stormwater not to seep through it. It\u2019s a much worse blockage because you\u2019ve had no warning system.\u201d<\/p>\n

Common problem can cost Aussies up to $10,000<\/p>\n

Tree roots blocking drain pipes is a common occurrence across Australia, with a plumber previously telling Yahoo it can cost some homeowners up to $10,000 to rectify<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To remove the large tree root and fix their broken stormwater system, the Bilgola family paid $450, but bills can vary depending if properties are located on the high end of the street, or the low end, Kevin said.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

In April, plumber Joel Murphy pulled a seemingly endless invasive tree root out of a stormwater drain at a home on Queensland’s Gold Coast. Source: TikTok\/AHAPlumbing<\/p>\n

With more heavy rain expected to smash parts of the country<\/a> in the coming months, the tradie has urged homeowners to pay attention to what\u2019s occurring on their property and reach out for help before any potential issues worsen.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long has it been since you\u2019ve cleaned your stormwater drain? I know the answer. You\u2019ve never done it. No one ever does it until it\u2019s a problem,\u201d Kevin said, adding that residents should also make sure whatever contractor they hire has \u201cgood equipment\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cExperience is everything, there\u2019s no doubt about that. I\u2019ve been doing this all day, every day, for 35 years, and the difference in my efficiency with really good gear and really bad gear is huge.\u201d<\/p>\n

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You can also follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, Twitter<\/a> and YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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