What can be done about blocked drains? We live in a suburb filled with beautiful gum trees, but our drains keep getting blocked by their roots. What can I do about this? Rebecca - Highbury

Hi Rebecca,

Tree roots can certainly present themselves as one of the biggest plumbing nightmares around the home. Tree roots are very persistent in their search for water especially during the summer months.

There are a variety of ways to deal with the problem depending on how bad the roots have become:

- The most common way of removing tree roots from drains is by the use of a drain cleaning machine. This method involves using a machine that spins a cutter down the drain to basically cut back the roots. Other machines also use a water jet to cut back the roots. This is only a preventative method as like all plants the roots grow back. Typically a drain clean should prevent the problem reoccurring for approximately 12 months however if it is bad tree root penetration it may only last approximately half a year. Many of my clients choose to have preventative drain cleans to ensure the problem doesn't occur when it is inconvenient. For example in the middle of a party on the weekend.

- In your situation if you are after a more permanent repair a camera inspection of the drain can be conducted to determine the extent of damage to the drain caused by the roots. Once the problem area is identified that section of drain can be replaced rather than replacing the entire drain. Once the drain is repaired it is very hard for the tree roots to again break through.

Please call my office on 8364 5855 if you would like to proceed with the above.

- Ken

Can I connect gas to my property? Simone - Brighton

Question:

Hi Ken, I have recently purchased a house in Brighton that does not have gas connected. I would like to eventually change the hotwater service to a gas one and also have a gas heater installed. Can gas be connected to a house?

Answer:

Hi Simone, yes certainly gas can be connected to your house.

The first thing you need to do is call the 'Natural Gas Hotline': 1300 001 001. They will confirm if gas is available on your street and at what pressure.

If gas is available you then need to choose a supplier eg. AGL and arrange for a gas inlet to be fitted.

From here this is where we come in. We can provide the appropriate gas pipework for your needs and arrange the installation of your preferred appliances.

Once this is complete we then provide a Certificate of Compliance allowing the meter to be fitted by your preferred supplier.

There are still rebates available for converting electric to gas hot water. See: http://www.maketheconnection.com.au/sa/home/

Please contact my office if you wish to have a free no obligation quotation.

- Ken