Robotic Cutting in Sydney
★ 4.9 from 489 Google reviews · Free CCTV inspection · From $400/m · Most jobs done in a day
Very professional, easy to communicate with, and excellent finishes. Would happily use Sewer Surgeon again for any waterproofing, roofing, plumbing, carpentry, and building works.
.png)
Robotic Cutting for Blockages in Sydney
When a drain keeps blocking, the blockage is not always caused by something that can be washed away easily. Sometimes there is something solid inside the pipe, such as concrete, construction debris, hard scale or a large amount of root growth that might lead to stubborn obstruction.
Robotic cutting lets us deal with these harder problems from inside the pipe. The cutter is guided to the affected section and used to break up the material, so there is no need to dig up the ground just to reach the pipe.
It can also be useful during pipe relining, either to prepare the pipe beforehand or to reopen connections once the liner has been installed.
.jpg)
What A Robotic Cutter Is And Does For Robotic Pipe Cutting
A robotic cutter is a small cutting machine that works inside a sewer pipe, including suitable vertical pipes where access allows. Robotic cutters can operate in pipes from 80mm to 150mm in diameter, depending on the equipment and pipe conditions. It is controlled by a technician from outside the pipe, with an air hose and CCTV camera showing what is happening inside.
That gives us a much better idea of what we are dealing with. Instead of sending equipment into a blocked pipe and hoping it clears the problem, we can see the obstruction and work on the affected area directly.
Without any excavation, the cutter is inserted into the access point. The cutting head can break through hard material attached to the inside of cast iron pipes and other air pipes. It can mechanically cut stubborn obstructions caused by tree roots, concrete, or construction debris.
This method can also be used around junctions and other areas where a standard drain cleaning tool may not be able to do the job properly.
Robotic drain cutting is generally used when the obstruction calls for more than a normal cleaning. CCTV helps determine whether that is the case.
What Robotic Cutting Can Remove: Robotic Root Cutting, Root Ingress And Other Obstructions
Robotic cutting has several uses, and tree roots are only one of them. It can be used for:
Blocked junctions and lateral connections
Junctions and laterals can be tricky when they are blocked or covered by material. A robotic cutter can be guided to the opening and used to clear it without disturbing the rest of the pipe.
Concrete inside the pipe
Accumulated concrete inside pipes may also need cutting. Once it has hardened inside a sewer line, ordinary drain cleaning may not be enough. The same can happen with thick scales that have built up on the pipe walls over time.
Heavy scale and hard build-up
Sediments or minerals often accumulate in pipes, harden and restrict the water flow. Robot cutting can be the appropriate method for this.
Other debris that is firmly lodged inside the pipe
Construction debris or solid dirt are common in pipes. They not only solidify and disrupt the flow, but may also attract more debris in the process.
Sections of liner covering pipe connection
During pipe relining, the liner saturated in epoxy resin is inserted into the old pipe and is cured. The liner often covers the opening intersection of the place where the pipe is connected to the main drainage system, blocking the wastewater pathway.
Heavy root mass inside sewer pipes
A small amount of root growth may be dealt with using other drain cleaning methods, but tap roots or a heavy root mass can require robotic root cutting to clear the pipe efficiently. We look at what is actually inside the pipe first and recommend a solution. To know more, read our tree root removal process.
Why Robotic Cutting Is Needed Before Pipe Relining
Before a pipe is relined, the inside of the existing pipe needs to be prepared and cleaned thoroughly. The new liner has to pass through the old pipe and sit properly against its walls, with the work causing minimal disruption to the property. Large roots, concrete, timber pegs or thick build-up inside the line can get in the way and affect the process.
This is where robotic cutting can be useful. It gives us a way to remove material that is too hard or firmly attached for normal drain cleaning equipment.
For example, heavy roots can be cut before the liner is installed. Concrete or hard scale can also be removed where it is taking up space inside the pipe.
Not every pipe needs this solution. The pipe is checked first to help us assess the next steps.
What Robotic Pipe Cutters Can't Fix
Robotic cutting deals with obstructions inside a pipe. It does not repair a pipe that has collapsed completely.
A collapsed pipe is a dig or a reline decision. If the pipe is damaged but still suitable for a lining, pipe relining Sydney may be an option. If the pipe has collapsed too badly, the damaged section may need to be excavated and replaced.
This is why cutting is sometimes only one part of the job. Clearing an obstruction may be necessary before the actual pipe repair can begin.
Robotic Cutting Vs Jetting Vs An Electric Eel: Precision Cutting
Different drain problems call for different equipments, especially when dealing with blocked drains. High-pressure water jetting uses water to clean the inside of the pipe. It is useful for things such as grease, dirt, loose debris and some root growth.
An electric eel uses a rotating cable to break through a blockage, but tougher blockages may require robotic cutting. It can be enough for many common drain problems, particularly when the blockage is suitable for that type of equipment.
A robotic cutter is used when the material is harder or needs to be removed more precisely. Instead of washing the material away or pushing through it with a cable, the cutter works directly on it.
Concrete is a good example. A water jet may clean around it, but it will not necessarily remove hardened concrete from the pipe. A robotic cutter can work directly on the concrete where the pipe and obstruction are suitable.
The condition of the pipe also matters. CCTV camera pipe inspections give us a clearer picture before we decide which equipment to use.
Reopening Junctions After Pipe Relining
A sewer pipe can have smaller pipes joining it at different points. These connections are called junctions or laterals.
When a liner is installed inside the main pipe, it can cover one of these openings. The liner may have repaired the main pipe, but the smaller connection still needs to be open for proper water flow.
A robotic cutter can be used to reopen the junctions in relined pipes. First, CCTV is used to locate the connection. The cutter is then guided to that point and used to remove the section of liner covering the opening.
The job needs to be done carefully. The aim is to open the connection without damaging the liner around it. Once the work is complete, another CCTV check can confirm that the junction is open and clear.
.jpg)
What Does Robotic Pipe Cutting Cost?
The cost of robotic cutting in Sydney is around AUD 400- AUD 700.
However, the amount of material that needs to be removed or the severity of the blockage makes a difference. So do the size and condition of the pipe, the location of the obstruction and how easily the equipment can reach it.
A CCTV inspection gives us a better idea of the work involved. We can then explain what needs to be done and give you an upfront cost before the work goes ahead.
If robotic cutting is being carried out as part of a relining job, the total cost will also include this particular service.
Frequently Asked Questions About Robotic Cutting
Is Robotic Cutting Safe In Old Earthenware Pipes?
Do I Need Robotic Cutting Or Is The Eel Enough?
Is Robotic Cutting Always Part Of Relining?
Can Robotic Cutting Remove Concrete In The Line?
Book Robotic Cutting In Sydney
If you are dealing with recurring blockage, there could be something hard stuck inside your sewer pipe. To avoid further damage, call Sewer Surgeon on 1300 734 677.
We can inspect the pipe and find out what is causing the problem. From there, we can explain whether robotic cutting is suitable or whether another method or repair would be more appropriate.
The important thing is to find the cause of the problem rather than keep clearing the same blockage without knowing why it is happening. Get in touch with us for the best solutions.
.png)