Got water backing up in your unit? Sink taking forever to drain? Before you panic about repair bills, let’s sort out who’s actually responsible.
Living in strata means sharing pipes with your neighbours. Sometimes that gets messy. But the good news? Not every plumbing problem lands on your doorstep (or your wallet).
Quick Guide: Who Pays for What?
Owners Corporation handles:
- Blocked floor drains
- Main sewer blockages
- Drains under the floor (even in your bathroom)
- Anything affecting multiple units
- Common area drainage
You handle:
- Blocked toilet (if it’s just yours)
- Kitchen sink blockages
- Shower drain clogs (if above floor level)
- Anything caused by what you put down the drain
Basically – if it’s under the floor or serves more than one unit, it’s usually strata’s problem.
The Tricky Bits
Sometimes it’s not so clear cut. Water backing up in your shower might be from a blockage way down the line that’s affecting everyone. Or that slow bathroom sink? Could be a shared pipe in the wall.
Here’s the thing – most strata schemes follow this rule: everything inside your unit’s airspace is yours, everything else is common property. But pipes don’t care about airspace. They run through walls, under floors, wherever they need to go.
What Actually Blocks Strata Drains?
The usual suspects:
- “Flushable” wipes (spoiler: they’re not)
- Cooking grease from 20 different kitchens
- Tree roots hunting for water
- Years of soap scum and hair
- That tennis ball someone’s kid flushed
In older buildings? Sometimes the pipes just give up. Age, ground movement, whatever – blockages become more common.
When You Notice a Problem
First up – don’t wait. Small drainage issues turn into sewage backups real quick. Nobody wants that.
If it’s clearly in your unit (like your kitchen sink), call a plumber. But if you’re not sure, or multiple fixtures are playing up, contact your strata manager straight away. They’ll work out whose problem it is.
Pro tip: Take photos or videos of the issue. Shows exactly what’s happening and when. Helps everyone figure out responsibility faster.
Getting It Fixed
Once everyone agrees who’s responsible, the actual fixing is pretty standard. Professional plumbers use cameras to find the blockage, then clear it with specialised equipment. Companies like Precise Plumbing have gear specifically for strata complexes – way more heavy duty than your average household plumber.
The key is getting someone who knows strata plumbing. They understand the shared pipe systems and can trace problems back to the source.
Avoiding Drama
Want to dodge blocked drain headaches? Easy:
- Don’t flush anything except toilet paper
- Keep grease out of your sink
- Use drain strainers
- Report slow drainage before it gets worse
And if you’re on the strata committee? Regular drain maintenance saves everyone money. Catching tree roots before they completely block pipes? Way cheaper than emergency callouts.
The Bottom Line
Blocked drains in strata aren’t fun, but knowing who’s responsible makes it less stressful. When in doubt, ask your strata manager – that’s what they’re there for.
Most importantly, don’t ignore drainage problems hoping they’ll sort themselves out. They won’t. They’ll just get more expensive.
Keep your strata manager’s number handy, know what you’re responsible for, and you’ll navigate blocked drain drama like a pro.