Drains in Coromandel Valley

Coromandel Valley

Either side of the Sturt River

Locals call it Coro. Coromandel Valley sits about 16.5 km south-east of the city, and the Sturt River flows through it as the boundary between the Mitcham and Onkaparinga councils. Its story goes back to 1837 and the ship it is named after; the post office opened in 1850, and St John's church was built of local stone. In 2021, 98.8% of its homes were separate houses and nearly half had four or more bedrooms.

Big family homes on semirural blocks mean more fixtures, more branches and longer runs from the house to the connection. Trees along the river and across established gardens send roots towards any joint that leaks, and older earthenware pipe has plenty of joints. Clay ground across Adelaide swells in winter and shrinks in summer, which works those joints open. We find which part of the line is in trouble before we quote.

• With several bathrooms on one line, note which fixture slowed first. One slow basin points to its own branch; the whole house backing up points to the main drain.
• Keep the overflow gully grate clear and above garden level. On a big block it is easy for mulch or lawn to creep over it and hide an overflow.
• Before planting a tree near the house, find out where the drain runs. A camera trace shows the line, so new roots go in well clear of the joints.