Toilet Blockage Cleared and New Toilet Installed in Cremorne
Completed Job Summary
A blocked toilet and slow, bubbling drainage were investigated at a property in Cremorne. CCTV inspection identified the obstruction, drainage was tested after clearance, and a new back-to-wall toilet suite was installed to replace the existing offset pan collar.
9 June 2026
Taylor
Senior Plumber
81769
This job record is derived from first-party technician notes and the Simpro job management.
Customer report
The customer reported a blocked toilet, together with slow drainage and bubbling, affecting the drainage system. A pressure check and CCTV inspection were requested to investigate the reported issue. Customer-provided photographs accompanied the service request before the site inspection commenced.
Diagnosis & Technical Assessment
The drainage system was assessed using a CCTV sewer inspection camera together with locator equipment to determine the source of the reported blockage. During the inspection, women’s sanitary products were identified within the drain, and a string was found caught on the PVC scale inside the drainage system.
Inspection also identified that the existing toilet utilised a 40 mm offset pan collar. Based on the technician’s assessment, this configuration could contribute to paper blockages and toilet bubbling. Drainage junctions were inspected before water was run through the drainage system to verify flow after the obstruction had been cleared.
The obstruction was removed by pushing the trapped string through the drainage system using the CCTV inspection camera. Water testing following the completed works identified no drainage issues.
All work was completed in accordance with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) regulatory framework.
Solutions delivered
The obstruction was cleared during the CCTV inspection by advancing the inspection camera through the drainage system to retrieve the trapped string. Following clearance, drainage junctions were inspected, and water was run through the system to confirm satisfactory operation.
The existing toilet was disconnected before a new back-to-wall ceramic toilet suite with a bottom-inlet configuration and a soft-close seat was supplied and installed. Replacing the previous toilet also removed the existing 40 mm offset pan collar that had been identified during diagnosis as a possible contributor to recurring paper blockages and toilet bubbling. The toilet was then reconnected, and the completed installation formed part of the overall drainage solution.
Tools, Parts & Systems Used
- CCTV inspection camera
- Locator equipment
- Back-to-wall ceramic toilet suite
- Bottom inlet configuration
- Soft-close seat
Outcome & Results
The obstruction was successfully removed, and post-repair water testing confirmed satisfactory drainage performance. A new toilet suite replaced the previous installation, eliminating the existing offset pan collar identified during the inspection. The technician advised that if similar drainage symptoms occur again, further investigation of the building drainage system through the property manager may be appropriate.
All work was carried out in accordance with relevant Australian Standards and safety requirements.
Repair vs Replacement
Blocked drains can often be resolved by removing the obstruction, where the drainage system remains serviceable. When the existing toilet configuration contributes to recurring blockages, replacement of the toilet or associated connection components may also be appropriate. In this job, both approaches were used: the obstruction was cleared during CCTV inspection, and the toilet was replaced to remove the offset pan collar identified during the assessment.