Hi everyone
Have encountered a plumbing issue and would greatly appreciate your comments / suggestions / wisdom. Thank you in advance.
Have a 4br brown-brick house IP probably built in the 1970s. Tenants (family of 5) moved in Jan.
2 months ago, there was a blockage in the toilets. I sent plumber out who sent a camera down the pipes and identified a likely blockage near the boundary between my IP and neighbour's property (the blockage is on my property). There is a small tree/plant (about 1.2m tall) on the neighbour's property in the immediate vicinity of the blockage point. Plumber thinks tree roots from neighbour's tree may have crept into the ceramic pipes. He suggested to me on the phone that I consider replacing the ceramic pipes with plastic ones. Quoted me $3k plus (the pipe is under a concrete driveway but there is an inspection outlet on the drive way).
I happened to be in the area and told him I'd drive by to have a look in person. After I turned up, the plumber identified a more significant blockage at another section (closer to the kerb) which likely involved Sydney Water's pipe.
The neighbour apparently told my plumber earlier that day they also had some blockage issues recently, but I don't have any details (eg: where, what was the cause, whether it involved SW's pipe etc).
In any case, my plumber called Sydney Water who came out and supposedly cleared the pipes (tenants confirmed this with my property manager the next day). My plumber sent Sydney Water his bill and I have not heard from either of them since then.
Tenants have just advised that there is a blockage again.
The family is 2 parents with 3 young children. All previous tenancies had only2-3 people in the house and no blockage issue was ever raised in the 8 years I've owned the property. Does the larger family increase likelihood of blockage?
The tenants seem like lovely people, I would like to try my best to keep them happy.
Should I:
1. Send my own plumber out again.
a) If it's Sydney Water's pipe again, then ask SW to deal with it and SW will pick up my plumber's bill.
b) If it's the blockage at the boundary due to neighbour's tree:
(i) can I ask neighbour to remove the tree? I'm happy to pay for the removal of the tree, but if they do not let me I suppose I cannot force them to have it removed even though it is the most likely cause of the blockage?
(ii) If neighbour doesn't let me remove the tree/plant, should I consider replacing the ceramic pipes with plastic pipes - it's a hefty cost but should hopefully be one-off and will save future plumber call-outs. Would the plastic pipes resolve the issue?
2. Call SW direct and ask them to go out to check the problem.
a) If it's their pipe, they will clear it like last time and not bill me for the work.
b) If they say it was my pipe, they will send me their bill (which I assume would be fair and reasonable?!)
Thank you so much for reading! The trials and tribulations of owning a house. I would be so grateful to hear your thoughts.
Have encountered a plumbing issue and would greatly appreciate your comments / suggestions / wisdom. Thank you in advance.
Have a 4br brown-brick house IP probably built in the 1970s. Tenants (family of 5) moved in Jan.
2 months ago, there was a blockage in the toilets. I sent plumber out who sent a camera down the pipes and identified a likely blockage near the boundary between my IP and neighbour's property (the blockage is on my property). There is a small tree/plant (about 1.2m tall) on the neighbour's property in the immediate vicinity of the blockage point. Plumber thinks tree roots from neighbour's tree may have crept into the ceramic pipes. He suggested to me on the phone that I consider replacing the ceramic pipes with plastic ones. Quoted me $3k plus (the pipe is under a concrete driveway but there is an inspection outlet on the drive way).
I happened to be in the area and told him I'd drive by to have a look in person. After I turned up, the plumber identified a more significant blockage at another section (closer to the kerb) which likely involved Sydney Water's pipe.
The neighbour apparently told my plumber earlier that day they also had some blockage issues recently, but I don't have any details (eg: where, what was the cause, whether it involved SW's pipe etc).
In any case, my plumber called Sydney Water who came out and supposedly cleared the pipes (tenants confirmed this with my property manager the next day). My plumber sent Sydney Water his bill and I have not heard from either of them since then.
Tenants have just advised that there is a blockage again.
The family is 2 parents with 3 young children. All previous tenancies had only2-3 people in the house and no blockage issue was ever raised in the 8 years I've owned the property. Does the larger family increase likelihood of blockage?
The tenants seem like lovely people, I would like to try my best to keep them happy.
Should I:
1. Send my own plumber out again.
a) If it's Sydney Water's pipe again, then ask SW to deal with it and SW will pick up my plumber's bill.
b) If it's the blockage at the boundary due to neighbour's tree:
(i) can I ask neighbour to remove the tree? I'm happy to pay for the removal of the tree, but if they do not let me I suppose I cannot force them to have it removed even though it is the most likely cause of the blockage?
(ii) If neighbour doesn't let me remove the tree/plant, should I consider replacing the ceramic pipes with plastic pipes - it's a hefty cost but should hopefully be one-off and will save future plumber call-outs. Would the plastic pipes resolve the issue?
2. Call SW direct and ask them to go out to check the problem.
a) If it's their pipe, they will clear it like last time and not bill me for the work.
b) If they say it was my pipe, they will send me their bill (which I assume would be fair and reasonable?!)
Thank you so much for reading! The trials and tribulations of owning a house. I would be so grateful to hear your thoughts.