It is always the same. Windy Friday, rain overnight, and by Saturday morning the shower is slow and the laundry sink gurgles. Cherrybrook’s leafy streets look great, but leaves, fine roots, and silt make their way into traps and long drain runs. Older clay lines in some pockets do not help either.
The aim here is simple. A few small checks so you can tell the difference between a quick tidy up and a job for a licensed pro.
What usually causes the headache
- Leaf litter after wind. Gutters overflow, debris washes into downpipes and yard pits, then settles in the line.
- Pressure swings. Garden taps blast, then drop. A tired pressure valve or clogged inline filter is common.
- Tired hot water. Popping sounds, rust flecks, or lukewarm evenings point to a storage tank on the way out.
- Water hammer in units. Fast shut-off mixers can bang pipes. Arrestors or soft-close cartridges calm things down.
- Stormwater pooling. Sloped blocks send water toward garages and low paths. Pits may be undersized or blocked.
Five quick checks that take minutes
- Try a second fixture. If only one tap is slow, clean its aerator or the trap under that basin.
- Meter test. Turn off every tap and appliance. If the meter still moves, you may have a concealed leak.
- Look and sniff. Musty smell, fresh paint bubbles, or swollen skirting boards suggest hidden water.
- Clear what is safe. Scoop leaf guards, hose out yard pits, and clean reachable grates. Skip harsh chemicals.
- Grab photos. Short clips and time-stamped photos help any tradie diagnose faster and keep strata happy.
When it is bigger than a DIY job
If blockages keep coming back within weeks, if you smell sewer gas indoors, or if the hot water unit is leaking at the base, call a licensed professional. A proper CCTV camera run and a pressure test will tell you exactly what is happening and where.
If you are comparing options, a local Plumber in Cherrybrook who understands root-prone streets, soil movement, and council rules will save you time and reduce repeat visits.
Simple habits that pay off in Cherrybrook
- Before storm months. Clear gutters and downpipes. Check rainwater tank screens. Fit leaf guards where branches hang over the roof.
- Every 2 to 3 years. Replace braided flexi hoses in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundries. They often fail without warning.
- After dry spells. Soil shifts can stress buried pipes. Watch for new cracks in paving near drains.
- Holiday checklist. Label the water meter tap and hot water isolation valves so anyone at home can shut them quickly.
Choosing help without the stress
Ask for licence and insurance details. Get an itemised scope with clear inclusions and cleanup. For drains, request before and after camera media. Agree on access, protection for common areas, and tidy disposal. Good communication keeps neighbours and strata happy.
FAQs
Why do drains smell right after heavy rain?
Traps can dry out or vents may be blocked, which lets gases back in. Run water in every fixture to refill traps. If odour stays, book a vent check or smoke test.
Are chemical drain cleaners safe for older lines?
Not ideal. They can damage seals and older materials. Mechanical clearing and a camera inspection give a proper fix and help prevent repeat blockages.
What is the first move if a pipe bursts?
Turn off water at the front meter. If safe, switch off power near the wet area. Move valuables, take photos, then call a licensed local for a same-day repair.
How often should a storage hot water unit be serviced?
Check valves and temperature yearly. In harder water areas, replace the sacrificial anode roughly every five years to extend tank life.
Do I need strata approval in a unit?
Yes for anything that touches common property. Provide a simple scope, photos, and access times. Like-for-like repairs are usually approved quickly.
Can roots be cleared without digging up the yard?
Often yes. Root cutting with a cable machine or water jet works well. If the pipe is cracked, a spot repair or relining may be the long-term fix.
My water pressure surges. Will that harm appliances?
It can. Unstable pressure stresses flexi hoses and fixtures. A pressure limiting valve or filter service usually sorts it. Have a plumber test and set the pressure correctly.
Small checks today can prevent big bills later. Keep notes, snap photos when something changes, and bring in local help early if anything feels off.
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