Project Snapshot
- 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:
- Sand Intrusion: 18 m section half‑filled with fine coastal sand.
- PVC Deformation: Crushed pipe at 14 m mark due to previous landscaping works.
- 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
- Sectional Pipe Bursting – 8 m crushed segment replaced with 100 mm HD‑PE (SDR 17) without trenching through manicured lawn.
- Pull‑Through Liner – Seamless epoxy‑impregnated liner installed from burst section to kerb, ensuring uniform diameter and salt‑resistance.
- Kerb Outlet Upgrade – Swapped corroded flap for UV‑stabilised PVC grate and flap combo.
2.1 Equipment & Materials
| Asset | Function | Core Spec |
|---|---|---|
| CCTV Storm Crawler | Locate sand levels & deformation | 23 mm camera head, self‑levelling |
| Hydro‑Vac Unit | Non‑destructive digging | 4200 L/min vacuum capacity |
| Pipe Bursting Rig | Replace crushed PVC | 30 kN pulling force |
| HD‑PE Pipe | New carrier line | 100 mm Ø, 50‑year design life |
| Epoxy Liner | Corrosion barrier | 4 mm wall, CIPP‑certified |