Serving Melton, Bacchus Marsh & Melbourne's West
A damaged sewer pipe used to mean one thing: digging. Excavating your driveway, ripping up your garden, a job that took days and cost thousands. That's no longer the default.
Modern pipe relining technology repairs most cracked, root-invaded, and failing pipes from the inside, without excavation. For Melton and Bacchus Marsh homeowners dealing with ongoing sewer problems, understanding when relining works and when it doesn't is the difference between a smart repair and an expensive mistake.
Quick Answer: Warning Signs of a Damaged Sewer Pipe
- Sewage smell in the yard, garden, or inside the home
- Multiple drains slow or blocked at the same time
- Unusually green, lush, or wet patches of grass in the yard
- Sinkholes or soft, sunken areas appearing in the yard
- Gurgling sounds from drains or toilets when water runs elsewhere
- Recurring blockages in the same drain every few weeks or months
A CCTV inspection goes down the drain line before any repair decision is made. You see exactly what is wrong before a single dollar is spent on fixing it.
Why Bacchus Marsh and Melton Have More Pipe Problems Than Newer Suburbs
Bacchus Marsh
Much of Bacchus Marsh's established residential areas were built in the 1970s and 1980s with clay vitrified pipes for sewer connections. These pipes are now 40-50 years old and well beyond their intended lifespan. Clay pipes crack, joint seals fail, and the area's extensive tree population makes root intrusion a near-certainty in lines that haven't been inspected in years.Melton
Older parts of Melton have similar aged infrastructure to Bacchus Marsh. In newer estates, the pipe material is PVC and more durable, but construction damage, ground movement in clay-heavy soils, and poor original installation can cause problems even in pipes that are only 10-15 years old.Warning Signs: When to Call a Plumber Urgently
- Sewage or sulphur smell inside the house (indicates a break in the sewer line allowing gas back into the home)
- Sewage surfacing in the yard or near a drain inspection opening
- Multiple fixtures draining slowly or blocked at the same time
- A sinkhole or significant soft spot appearing overnight near a known drain line
Sewer issue in Melton or Bacchus Marsh?
We carry CCTV equipment in our vans. We find the problem before we quote. No guesswork, no surprises. Book Online - Free Quote Or call 1300 153 869Step One Is Always CCTV: Why We Won't Quote Without It
Before any sewer repair is priced, the drain needs to be inspected with a CCTV camera. Any plumber who quotes you for sewer repair without first running a camera is guessing. The CCTV inspection tells us the exact location and type of damage, whether relining is viable, and the condition of the rest of the line.- Exact location and depth of the damage
- Type of damage (root intrusion, crack, joint failure, collapse, offset)
- Length of affected pipe
- Whether relining is viable or excavation is required
- Condition of the rest of the line beyond the blockage
Pipe Relining vs Pipe Replacement: The Honest Comparison
Pipe Relining (Trenchless)
- No excavation required in most cases
- Completed in a single day for most jobs
- 50+ year design life for the resin liner
- Suitable for cracks, joint failure, and root intrusion
- Minimal disruption to yard, driveway, and garden
- Typically 30-50% cheaper than full excavation
Pipe Replacement (Excavation)
- Required for fully collapsed or severely misaligned pipe
- Disrupts yard, driveway, or landscaping
- Job takes 1-3 days depending on depth and length
- Higher upfront cost but may be the only viable option
- Allows upgrade to modern, larger diameter pipe where needed
How the Pipe Relining Process Works
1
CCTV Inspection
A camera is sent down the drain line to map the damage. Location, type, and extent of faults are recorded. You see the footage. A written quote follows.2
High-Pressure Jetting
The pipe is thoroughly cleaned with high-pressure water to remove all debris, roots, and scale from the pipe walls. The liner needs a clean surface to bond to.3
Liner Installation
A flexible resin-impregnated felt liner is inserted into the pipe and inflated with compressed air, pressing it firmly against the inner pipe wall.4
Resin Curing
The resin cures in place over several hours. Once cured, the liner is rigid, smooth, and forms a complete new pipe inside the old one.5
Post-Liner CCTV Check
A final camera run confirms the liner is fully seated, all damage is covered, and the pipe is flowing correctly. You receive a completion report with before and after footage.★★★★★
"We'd had ongoing drain issues for months and other plumbers kept giving us temporary fixes. The New Image team used their cameras to find the real cause and cleared everything properly. They explained the problem in plain English and even showed me the footage. Professional, tidy and fairly priced."
What About Tree Roots? Can Relining Stop Them Coming Back?
Yes. Jetting removes roots but leaves the cracks and joint gaps that allowed them in. Roots will regrow through the same entry points within 12-24 months. Relining seals every crack and joint gap across the repaired section. Once cured, the smooth resin surface gives roots no entry point. If your sewer line has been jetted more than twice for the same root problem, relining is almost always the smarter long-term investment.490+
Five-Star Reviews
50yr
Liner Lifespan
$55
Off First Service
Same
Day Service
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pipe relining and how does it work?
Pipe relining is a trenchless repair method where a resin-saturated liner is inserted into the damaged pipe and inflated against the pipe walls. Once cured, it forms a new, smooth pipe inside the old one. No digging, completed in a single day in most cases. The repair seals cracks, joint failures, and root entry points permanently.
When should I reline a pipe versus replace it?
Relining suits cracked, root-invaded, or joint-failed pipes that still have structural shape. Replacement is required when the pipe has fully collapsed or is severely offset. Only a CCTV inspection can determine which is appropriate. We'll tell you honestly after the camera run.
How long does pipe relining last?
A properly installed resin liner has a design life of 50 years or more. It is typically stronger than the original clay or PVC pipe it lines. Most products carry a minimum 35-year manufacturer warranty.
What are the warning signs of a cracked sewer pipe in Melton?
Recurring blockages across multiple drains, sewage smell in the yard or home, unusually lush or wet patches of grass, sinkholes or soft spots in the yard, and gurgling sounds from drains or toilets when water is used elsewhere. If you notice more than one of these, call us for a CCTV inspection.
Will pipe relining work if I have tree roots in my sewer line?
Yes. Root intrusion is one of the primary use cases for pipe relining. We jet the line to remove existing roots first, then install the liner to permanently seal all entry points. Unlike repeated jetting, relining stops the roots coming back through the same cracks and joints.
Can you reline a pipe without a CCTV inspection?
We don't. No responsible plumber should quote a relining job without first inspecting the pipe. CCTV tells us the exact location, type, and extent of damage, and whether relining is viable. Without it, you are paying for guesswork.