Blackwood Blocked Drains
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10% Pension Discount available*
$0 deposit. Interest free terms available
No extra charges after hours
20 year labour warranty*
Dealing with the “Hills Life”: Why Blackwood Drains are a Different Beast
Look, we love Blackwood. There is something about driving up the hill, past the Belair Hotel, and feeling the temperature drop by five degrees that just makes you feel like you’re home. But for us at ABA Plumbing & Gas, Blackwood also means one thing: some of the most stubborn, headache-inducing plumbing in all of Adelaide.
If you’re living near Coromandel Parade or tucked away in those steep blocks toward the Blackwood Forest Reserve, you aren’t just dealing with “a bit of hair in the sink.” You’re fighting a constant battle against the landscape. We’ve been the local team for this area for a long time now, and we’ve learned that you can’t treat a Blackwood pipe the same way you’d treat one in the CBD. The ground here moves, the trees are thirsty, and the infrastructure has a fair bit of history behind it. If your backyard is starting to smell like a swamp or your toilet is doing that annoying “glug-glug” sound every time the shower runs, you can give us a bell on 08 8297 7637. We’re around 24/7 because we know pipes don’t wait for Monday morning.
The “Experimental Orchard” Legacy and Your Backyard
A lot of people don’t realize that Blackwood was home to one of the biggest experimental orchards in the world back in the day. While that’s a cool bit of local history, it means the soil is incredibly rich—and the trees are massive. Those old pear and apple varieties, mixed with the native gums, have root systems that are like heat-seeking missiles for water.
A Messy Job Near Wittunga Botanic Garden: Just last week, we got a call from a family living right near the Wittunga gates. They’d just bought the place and the previous owner hadn’t mentioned that the kitchen sink took ten minutes to drain. We turned up, and as soon as we saw the size of the Stringybark tree near the boundary, we knew what we were in for.
We sent the camera down and found that the roots hadn’t just entered the pipe; they’d actually grown up the line toward the house for about six meters. Most plumbers would have told them to start digging up their beautiful driveway. Not us. We spent a few hours with our high-pressure water jetter—which basically acts like a laser-beam for roots—and cleared the whole thing out. We then used a bit of specialized “root foam” to stop them coming back for a while. It’s that kind of local knowledge that saves you a fortune in the long run.
Why ABA Plumbing & Gas Isn’t Your Typical “Big Biz” Outfit
We’ve grown into a team of over 30 people, but we still operate like the family business we started as. We aren’t interested in just “patching and running.” We want to be the guys you call for the next twenty years.
- No “Mystery” Pricing: One of the biggest complaints we hear about other Adelaide plumbers is the “surprise” bill at the end. We hate that. We do a $0 call-out, which means we come up the hill, take a proper look, and tell you exactly what it’s going to cost before we even open the toolbox. You can reach us at 08 8297 7637 to get a tech booked in.
- The “Blackwood Specialized” Kit: Because the blocks are so steep here, we had to customize our trucks. We carry extra-long jetting hoses and specialized portable cameras that we can lug down stairs and steep embankments where a normal van can’t go.
- Master Plumber Standards: We don’t hire “cowboys.” Every one of our guys is fully licensed and knows the South Australian plumbing codes inside out. We take pride in the fact that we leave a job site cleaner than we found it—we’ll even mop your laundry floor if we made a mess.
- Looking After Our Seniors: We know Blackwood has a lot of long-term residents who have lived in their homes for 40+ years. We offer genuine Senior’s Discounts because we believe in treating our elders with respect.
The Nightmare of “Reactive” Clay
Mitcham has it, but Blackwood has it worse. The clay soil in the Hills is “reactive.” When we have a wet winter (like the ones we get up here), the clay swells. When it dries out in January, it shrinks. This constant tug-of-war literally snaps older PVC pipes and cracks the old earthenware ones.
If you notice a patch of grass in your yard that’s suddenly very green and lush—even in the middle of a drought—that’s a massive red flag. It usually means your sewer pipe is leaking and the grass is “feeding” on it. If you catch it early, we can usually fix it with No-Dig Pipe Relining. We basically slide a new pipe inside your old one. No trenches, no mess, and it’s stronger than the original pipe ever was.
Stormwater: The Silent House-Killer
In Blackwood, we get more rain than the plains. If your stormwater pipes are blocked with leaves or dirt, that water has nowhere to go but under your house. Over time, this can actually cause your foundation to sag or crack. We’ve seen it happen to beautiful homes in Coromandel Valley.
We recommend getting your stormwater checked every year before the winter rains hit. We can run a camera through and make sure everything is clear all the way to the street. It’s a small price to pay to protect your biggest asset.
Blackwood Blocked Drain FAQs (The Stuff You Actually Want to Know)
- Why does my toilet water level rise and then slowly sink?
That is a classic sign of a partial blockage downstream. There’s enough room for a bit of water to get through, but not enough for a full flush. Give us a call at 08 8297 7637 before it becomes a total overflow. - Is there really a $0 call-out fee for Blackwood?
Yes. We don’t charge a “travel fee” just to get up the hill. We believe in being fair. We’ll give you a fixed quote on the spot. If you don’t like it, you don’t pay. - Will the tree roots come back after you clear them?
If we just cut them with the jetter, yes—they’ll grow back eventually, like a pruned hedge. However, we offer a permanent fix called Pipe Relining which seals the pipe completely so roots can never get back in. - My neighbor says my pipes are “Earthenware.” What does that mean?
Basically, they’re made of clay. Most houses in Blackwood built before the 70s have them. They are very prone to cracking as the ground shifts. We can easily replace sections with modern PVC or reline them. - Do you guys do emergency work at 3 AM?
Absolutely. We have a rotating roster of technicians who are always on call. Whether you’re in Blackwood, Belair, or Glenalta, we’ll get someone to your door fast. - Can I just pour boiling water down the drain to fix a clog?
It might help with a tiny bit of grease in a kitchen sink, but it won’t touch a main-line blockage or tree roots. In fact, if you have PVC pipes, very hot water can sometimes soften the joints. Best to leave it to the pros. - How do I know if the blockage is SA Water’s problem or mine?
Great question. Usually, if the blockage is on your property, it’s your responsibility. If it’s past the “inspection point” near the boundary, it might be SA Water’s job. We can use our cameras to find exactly where the line is and tell you who needs to pay for it. - What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever found in a Blackwood drain?
Oh, we’ve found everything. From kids’ LEGO sets to a whole family of frogs. But mostly, it’s just roots and wet wipes. (Side note: Never flush “flushable” wipes—they are a plumber’s best friend because they keep us in business, but they’re a homeowner’s nightmare!) - Do you offer payment plans?
We sure do. We know a plumbing emergency isn’t in everyone’s weekly budget. We offer Interest-Free options so you can get the toilet working today and pay it off over time. - Are you fully insured?
Yes, 100%. We carry full public liability insurance and all our work is backed by a workmanship guarantee. We’re a serious company with serious standards.
Contact the Real Local Experts
Don’t gamble with a plumber who doesn’t know the difference between a Blackwood slope and a Glenelg flat. We live here, we work here, and we know exactly what makes your pipes tick.
- The Number to Call: 08 8297 7637
- The Website: www.abaplumbing.com.au
- Hours: We are genuinely 24/7. Even on Christmas Day, someone will answer that phone.
What else do our Plumbers in Adelaide offer
- Same day emergency plumbing, available 24/7
- Qualified Adelaide Master Plumbers
- Online discounts when you mention our website
- Pensioner discounts
- All work guaranteed
- Expert advice and sustainable plumbing solutions
- Extremely competitive pricing
- Gas safety checks starting from only $99
- Free, no obligation quotes
