SA Water's got crews working day and night at the Craigmore Road and Adams Road roundabout right now — trunk main commissioning runs through to 5 June 2026, connecting Bentley Road to the Craigmore storage tank. That means localised water pooling in nearby drains and potential pressure fluctuations for properties on the eastern side of Adams Road. Council's also finishing road renewal on Axminster Crescent by 27 May, which has exposed some of the original 1970s stormwater infrastructure — if you're on that stretch and noticing slow drainage, it's not your imagination. We copped 14mm on the 2nd and another 15mm on the 4th this month, and Craigmore's reactive clay doesn't forgive that kind of saturation. The undulating terrain here — locals call it the Craigmore Slope — puts extra stress on rigid pipe joints when the ground swells and contracts. If you're seeing wet patches in the yard that weren't there last week, or your drains are gurgling after the recent rain, call us and a plumber we dispatch will know exactly what they're walking into.
City of Playford notes
“SA Water trunk main commissioning at Craigmore Road and Adams Road roundabout, 9 May to 5 June 2026, connecting Bentley Road to Craigmore storage tank — day and night works with potential localised water pooling in nearby drains.”
City of Playford
Properties on Adams Road and Bentley Road may see pressure fluctuations and discoloured water during commissioning — if you're getting complaints about water quality or flow, this is likely the cause until early June.
“City of Playford road renewal works on Axminster Crescent, Craigmore, completion expected 27 May 2026.”
City of Playford
Road renewal often exposes or disturbs original stormwater infrastructure — if you're on Axminster Crescent and noticing drainage issues, the timing isn't coincidental. Get it checked before the road's sealed over.
“Development application DA ID 24027713 at 23 Adams Road for Catherine McAuley School upgrades approved.”
City of Playford
School upgrades mean increased load on local sewer and stormwater during construction and after — neighbouring properties on Adams Road should watch for any drainage changes as the project progresses.
●richSource: City of PlayfordUpdated 2026-04-28
Craigmore profile
Craigmore falls within the City of Playford local government area in Northern Adelaide, South Australia.
The worst streets for sewer blockages are the original 1970s-80s allotments running between Adams Road and Dodd Avenue — clay pipes, mature street trees, and the Craigmore Slope's reactive soil create the perfect conditions for root intrusion at every joint. Axminster Crescent's been a repeat offender for stormwater backup because the original fall was marginal and decades of driveway extensions have added load over the pipes. If you're on Wallace Drive or the newer infill blocks, the plumbing's younger but the clay soil still shifts — watch for hairline cracks at slab edges and slow drainage in the first wet season after construction settles.
When calls come in: Craigmore calls tend to cluster in the early evening — 5pm to 8pm — when families are home, showers are running, and any marginal drainage issue becomes obvious. Weekend mornings also spike, especially after overnight rain when stormwater problems reveal themselves.
Craigmore emergency callouts
Emergency Plumber — Burst pipe — water off, flooding riskCraigmore, SA · 30–60 min
Emergency Plumber — Blocked drain — slow or backing upCraigmore, SA · 30–60 min
Emergency Plumber — Hot water failure — no heat or pressureCraigmore, SA · 30–60 min
Emergency Plumber — Sewer backup — sewage at floor wasteCraigmore, SA · 30–60 min
Emergency Plumber — Leaking tap or fitting — urgent repairCraigmore, SA · 30–60 min
Emergency Plumber — Gas fitting emergency — isolation requiredCraigmore, SA · 30–60 min
Craigmore Plumber FAQ
Yes, potentially. The trunk main commissioning running through to 5 June 2026 connects Bentley Road to the Craigmore storage tank, and properties on the eastern side of Adams Road may experience temporary pressure drops or surges during active work periods. If you notice discoloured water, air sputtering from taps, or sudden pressure changes, run your cold taps for a few minutes to clear the line. If the issue persists beyond the work window or you're getting no flow at all, call us — a plumber we dispatch can isolate whether it's the mains work or an internal supply issue.
Gurgling after heavy rain usually means your stormwater or sewer system is under back-pressure. In Craigmore, the reactive clay soil swells when saturated, which can shift pipe joints and create partial blockages. If the gurgling clears within a day and drains return to normal, you're probably okay. If it persists, or you're smelling sewer gas inside, that's a sign the blockage is downstream and building — a plumber we dispatch can run a camera inspection to see whether it's debris, root intrusion, or a joint failure before it backs up into your home.
The sequence is predictable: first you'll notice reduced water pressure, especially at the furthest tap from the meter. Then you'll see rust-coloured water in the morning or after the line's been sitting idle. Finally, pinhole leaks appear — often under the house or in the wall cavity where you won't see them until the damage is done. Craigmore's original 1970s-80s stock is right in the failure window now. If you're seeing any of the early signs, get a plumber to assess the line before a pinhole becomes a burst.
In Craigmore's 1970s stock, the failure order is usually: galvanised water supply lines first (internal corrosion restricts flow, then pinhole leaks), clay sewer pipes second (root intrusion at joints, especially with the reactive soil here), and hot water units third (if you're still on the original electric storage unit, it's well past its 15-year service life). Stormwater is often the sleeper — original clay or concrete pipes with shallow fall can collapse under driveway loads or shift with soil movement. A plumber we dispatch can prioritise what needs attention now versus what can wait.
You can't tell from the surface — both present as slow drains, gurgling, or sewage backing up. The difference matters because a blockage can be cleared with a jet rodder, but a collapse needs excavation and pipe replacement. A plumber we dispatch will run a CCTV camera down the line to see exactly what's happening — root mass, debris buildup, joint displacement, or a full pipe failure. In Craigmore's clay soil, collapsed sections are more common than in sandier suburbs because the ground movement stresses rigid pipe joints over decades.
Start by checking where your downpipes actually discharge — on the flatter allotments near the reserve, the fall to the street drain can be shallower than you'd expect, and water pools instead of flowing away. Clear your gutters and downpipe inlets before winter. If you've got garden beds against the house, make sure the soil slopes away from the foundation, not towards it. And if you've noticed water pooling in the same spot after every decent rain, a plumber we dispatch can assess whether your stormwater line has a blockage, a sag, or just insufficient grade for the volume.