SEQ Blocked Drains was engaged to resolve a complex underground stormwater issue at a residential property in Scarborough, Queensland. A key section of the stormwater line—located directly beneath a concrete swimming pool—had been compromised by a concrete rebar intrusion, most likely from past construction. The pipe was also charged (partially full and under pressure), presenting serious access and repair challenges.

Site Conditions

• Restricted access: With the damaged pipe situated under a pool, traditional excavation methods were not feasible without major disruption or structural risk.
• Solid obstruction: A piece of rebar embedded in concrete had penetrated the stormwater pipe, creating a significant blockage.
• Active line: The pipe remained charged, adding complexity to the repair and requiring non-invasive, specialist equipment.

Our Solution

Our team used advanced robotic cutting technology to internally access the pipe and precisely remove the concrete and rebar obstruction without digging. This high-precision, trenchless method allowed for:

• Safe and targeted rebar removal from inside the pipe.
• Preservation of the surrounding infrastructure, including the pool.

After successfully clearing the blockage, we installed a 2-metre trenchless reline patch to seal and reinforce the damaged section. This involved lining the interior of the pipe with a high-strength, cured-in-place resin—effectively creating a brand-new pipe within the old one.

Project Outcome

• The job was completed with zero excavation, minimising impact on the property and avoiding costly restoration.
• The stormwater pipe was fully restored, and flow was returned to optimal performance.
• The result showcased SEQ Blocked Drains’ capability in tackling high-risk, no-dig repairs using robotic cutting and trenchless relining techniques.

About SEQ Blocked Drains

SEQ Blocked Drains specialises in trenchless pipe solutions across South East Queensland. With cutting-edge equipment and deep industry expertise, the team tackles even the most complex blocked or damaged drain issues efficiently and without disruption.

The post Case Study: Robotic Rebar Removal & Pipe Reline Beneath a Pool in Scarborough, QLD appeared first on SEQ Blocked Drains.

• Client: 24/7 Distribution Centre in Yatala, QLD

• Problem: Collapsed sewer main causing health‑code breach notices

• Pipe Details: 150 mm asbestos‑cement pipe, 48 m run beneath warehouse floor

• Response Time: 2 hours onsite, full restoration in 6 hours

• Technologies Deployed: CCTV crawler, high‑pressure jetting, sectional pipe bursting, UV‑cured CIPP liner

1. The Challenge

1.1 Symptoms Reported

• Overflow from floor gullies near cold‑storage area

• Sewage odour infiltrating packing line

• Two forklifts forced offline due to spill contamination

1.2 Root‑Cause Investigation

Sequential camera passes revealed:

1. Pipe Collapse: 60 % cross‑section loss at 31 m mark.

2. Offset Joints: Five joints with ≥5 mm vertical displacement.

3. Grease Build‑up: 8 mm layer on pipe walls due to in‑house canteen discharge.

“Shutting the loading bay even for half a day would cost tens of thousands in missed dispatch targets, so trenchless was non‑negotiable.”
— Operations Manager, SEQ Blocked Drains

2. Solution Delivered

Step‑by‑Step Remediation

1. Flow Diversion – Deployed temporary above‑ground transfer pump to keep kitchens operational.

2. High‑Pressure Jetting – 9 mm spinner nozzle at 5 000 PSI cut through grease and debris.

3. Sectional Pipe Bursting – Replaced 4 m collapsed segment with 160 mm HD‑PE SDR 17 pipe.

4. UV‑Cured CIPP Lining – Pulled‑in‑place liner installed across remaining 44 m; UV light train cured in 8 minutes.

5. Final CCTV Verification – Confirmed smooth bore and grade compliance (<1 % deviation).

2.1 Equipment & Materials

The post Case Study: Emergency Sewer Relining for a Yatala Logistics Hub appeared first on SEQ Blocked Drains.

• Client: Architect‑designed beachfront home in Main Beach, QLD

• Problem: Garden floods after every summer downpour; pooling undermining retaining wall

• Pipe Network: 90 mm PVC stormwater line, 32 m long, connected to kerb outlet

• Turnaround: 2‑hour diagnostic, 1 day remediation

• Tech Utilised: CCTV crawler, hydro‑excavation, sectional pipe bursting, HD‑PE pull‑through liner

1. The Challenge

1.1 Visible Symptoms

• Knee‑deep puddles forming within 20 minutes of rainfall

• Saltwater staining along basement blockwork

• Mosquito breeding reports from neighbours

1.2 Investigation Findings

Sequential CCTV passes exposed:

1. Sand Intrusion: 18 m section half‑filled with fine coastal sand.

2. PVC Deformation: Crushed pipe at 14 m mark due to previous landscaping works.

3. Corroded Kerb Outlet: Cast‑iron flap permanently stuck closed.

“A beachfront block amplifies every drainage flaw—salt, sand and shifting ground give pipes a hard life.”
— Principal Technician, SEQ Blocked Drains

2. Solution Strategy

Phase 1 – Immediate Flow Restoration

• Hydro‑Vac Excavation: Safe exposure of buried line at failure point.

• High‑Volume Flush: 75 mm sand jet nozzle, 60 L/min, cleared 25 kg of sand.

Phase 2 – Structural Renewal

1. Sectional Pipe Bursting – 8 m crushed segment replaced with 100 mm HD‑PE (SDR 17) without trenching through manicured lawn.

2. Pull‑Through Liner – Seamless epoxy‑impregnated liner installed from burst section to kerb, ensuring uniform diameter and salt‑resistance.

3. Kerb Outlet Upgrade – Swapped corroded flap for UV‑stabilised PVC grate and flap combo.

2.1 Equipment & Materials

The post Case Study: Restoring Stormwater Capacity — Gold Coast Seafront Residence appeared first on SEQ Blocked Drains.

• Client: Independent coffee shop in Brisbane CBD

• Issue: Repeated wastewater back‑ups during peak trading hours

• Pipe Material: 100 mm vitrified clay pipe, ~35 years old

• Timeline: Same‑day diagnosis, restoration within 4 hours

• Technologies Deployed: CCTV inspection, high‑pressure water jetting (4000 PSI @ 72 L/min) seqblockeddrains.com.au, trenchless patch repair

1. The Challenge

1.1 Symptoms Observed

• Floor drains gurgling after every dishwasher cycle

• Unpleasant sulphur odours spreading to the seating area

• Slow sink drainage despite routine chemical cleaners

1.2 Root‑Cause Analysis

Sequential CCTV passes revealed a dense Melaleuca root mass 7 m from the floor waste gully.

“Once we located the blockage, we knew excavation inside the shop was a deal‑breaker. A trenchless approach had to work first‑time.” — Lead Technician, SEQ Blocked Drains

2. Solution Implemented

1. Access & Isolation – Main drain isolated at boundary riser; wastewater diverted temporarily.

2. Targeted Jetting – 10 mm impact root‑cutter nozzle at 4000 PSI removed root ingress without damaging clay pipe seqblockeddrains.com.au.

3. Robotic Scraper Pass – Ensured no residual root fibres remained.

4. Epoxy Patch Repair – 600 mm fibreglass‑reinforced sleeve installed and steam‑cured (45 min).

5. Final CCTV Verification – Confirmed 100 % flow restoration and structural integrity.

2.1 Equipment Snapshot

The post Case Study: Rapid Root Intrusion Removal for a Busy Brisbane Café appeared first on SEQ Blocked Drains.