Mitcham Blocked Drains

The Mitcham Tree Root Invasion: More Than Just a Clog

The beautiful canopy of trees that defines Mitcham—the Jacarandas, the Liquidambars, and the massive Gums—is actually the primary cause of the blocked drains we clear. Tree roots are incredibly smart; they can “sense” the moisture and warmth inside a sewer pipe from meters away. They find a tiny hairline crack caused by that shifting clay soil we mentioned, and they move in.

A Real Story from a Mitcham Job Site: A few months back, we were called to a property on Albert Street. The owners had just finished a beautiful backyard renovation, complete with a new paved entertaining area. Suddenly, their gully trap started overflowing with raw sewage every time they ran the washing machine. They were terrified we’d have to rip up their new pavers.

Our team arrived and, instead of guessing, we launched our CCTV drain camera down the line. What we saw on the monitor looked like a bird’s nest. A massive root system from a neighbouring Eucalyptus had completely “blinded” the pipe. Because we carry high-pressure hydro-jetting equipment on every truck, we didn’t have to dig. We spent two hours carefully “hydro-milling” the roots out, restoring the pipe to its full diameter without disturbing a single paver. We then showed the customer the “after” footage, and the relief on their face was why we do this job. That’s the level of care we bring to every Mitcham home.

Why ABA Plumbing & Gas Stands Out in Adelaide

The plumbing industry is crowded, but we’ve grown from a small family operation to a team of 30 because we stick to a few “old school” values:

1. The $0 Call-Out Fee: We think it’s unfair to charge you just for showing up. We’ll drive to your Mitcham home, inspect the issue, and give you a firm, transparent quote. If you’re not happy with the price, you don’t owe us a cent for the visit.
2. We Own the Tech: Many smaller plumbers have to rent drain cameras or jetters, and they pass that cost on to you. We own a fleet of the latest Ridgid and Whale equipment, meaning we’re ready to go the moment we arrive.
3. Local Knowledge of “The Mitcham Twist”: We know that many houses here still use “boundary traps”—a specific type of old-school plumbing fitting that often gets buried under gardens. We have the sonar locating gear to find them without digging up your whole yard.
4. Pensioner & Senior Discounts: Mitcham has a wonderful community of long-term residents. We offer dedicated discounts to seniors because we believe in looking after the people who built this community.

What Happens When You Call Us?

When you dial 08 8297 7637, you aren’t talking to a call center in another country. You’re talking to our Adelaide-based team. We’ll get a technician out to you—often within the hour if it’s an emergency.

Once on-site, we follow a strict process:

• Assessment: We check all your fixtures to see if it’s a localized clog (like a hair blockage in a shower) or a main-line issue.
• Visual Confirmation: We use our cameras so you can see the problem. We don’t expect you to just take our word for it.
• The “Smart” Fix: We always look for the least invasive way to fix the problem. If we can use No-Dig Pipe Relining, we will. This technology essentially creates a new, “bulletproof” pipe inside your old one, and it’s guaranteed for decades.
• Clean Up: We’ve heard the horror stories about plumbers leaving mud and sewage everywhere. That isn’t us. We use drop sheets, boot covers, and we’ll leave your bathroom or garden looking better than when we arrived.

Don’t Ignore the Warning Signs

A totally blocked drain is a disaster, but your plumbing usually tries to warn you first. If you notice any of the following in your Mitcham home, give us a call before it turns into a midnight emergency:

• The “Gurgle”: If your floor waste or toilet makes a “glug-glug” sound when the basin drains.
• Slow Receding Water: If you’re standing in two inches of water by the end of your shower.
• The Smell: A faint scent of rotten eggs or “swamp gas” near your outdoor drains.
• Patches of Green Grass: If one part of your lawn is suddenly much greener and lusher than the rest, it might be “feeding” off a leaking sewer pipe.