Updated October 2026
Riverwood sits on the western edge of St George, around Riverwood station and the Belmore Road shops, with Salt Pan Creek and its reserves on the western side. The suburb has older detached homes, a lot of townhouse and unit development, and newer medium density housing that has replaced former estate housing. St George Blocked Drains is a local referral service. We connect Riverwood residents with licensed local drain plumbers we work with.
Why Riverwood drains block
Medium density housing is a big part of Riverwood, and with it comes shared drainage. Townhouse complexes and unit buildings often run several dwellings into one sewer line, so a blockage in the common section affects everyone downstream of it. Grease, wipes and sanitary items are the usual causes.
The older detached homes in the suburb have the familiar St George problem of ageing clay pipes. Joints separate, roots move in, and the line blocks repeatedly until the pipe itself is dealt with.
Lower parts of Riverwood drain towards Salt Pan Creek. Flatter ground near the creek means stormwater moves slowly, and silted or root-affected stormwater lines can leave yards and driveways holding water after heavy rain.
What clearing a blocked drain involves
The licensed drain plumbers we work with usually start by finding out whether the blockage is in a private branch or a shared line, which is the key question in townhouse and unit complexes. A CCTV drain camera answers it and shows the cause. Jet blasting clears grease and roots from the pipe wall, and for complexes with recurring problems, scheduled jetting can be cheaper than repeat call-outs. If sewage is coming up inside, ask about emergency blocked drains when you enquire.
A standard clear typically costs $150 to $400. A camera inspection typically runs $249 to $600, or $350 to $900 combined with jetting. Relining a broken pipe typically costs $3,000 to $8,000 or more.
Frequently asked questions
Our townhouse complex keeps having blockages. What should the strata do?
Get the common lines cameraed and jetted, then decide on a fix based on the footage. Recurring problems usually have a single cause, such as a sag, roots or a damaged junction.
My yard holds water after rain. Is that the council's problem?
If water backs up from a blocked street pit, it is the council's. If it is your own stormwater line, it is yours. A plumber can quickly tell which.
Can roots get into newer PVC pipe?
Less often than clay, but yes, through poorly sealed joints or damaged sections. A camera shows exactly where.
Drain backing up in Riverwood? Get a fast quote and a licensed local drain plumber will call you back with a price.