How much does it cost to unblock a drain in Melbourne?

Blocked drain costs in Melbourne typically range from $150 to $450 depending on severity and access. Simple blockages are at the lower end; jobs requiring CCTV or hydro jetting cost more. ATC Plumbing provides upfront pricing before starting work.

Can I unblock a drain myself?

Minor blockages caused by hair or soap scum can sometimes be cleared with a plunger. However, persistent blockages involving tree roots or collapsed pipes require a licensed plumber with drain camera equipment.

How long does it take to clear a blocked drain?

Most simple blockages are cleared within 30 to 60 minutes. Jobs involving CCTV, tree root removal, or hydro jetting can take 1 to 3 hours.

The Complete Guide to Blocked Drains (Causes, Costs & Solutions)

Q: How do I know if I have a blocked drain?

Signs include slow draining water, gurgling sounds from pipes, unpleasant smells, and water backing up in sinks, showers or toilets. Multiple slow fixtures usually indicate a main sewer blockage.

Christopher Unwin
May 2
4 min read

Updated: Jun 13

ATC Plumber removed large tree roots from storm water drain. Ridgid CCTV, High pressure drain cleaning water jet Melbourne

Why Blocked Drains Are So Common in Melbourne

Melbourne's south-east suburbs have some of the oldest sewer and stormwater infrastructure in Victoria. Suburbs like Oakleigh, Caulfield, Brighton, Bentleigh, Murrumbeena, and Carnegie were largely developed in the mid-20th century when clay and concrete pipes were standard. Fifty years later, those pipes are deteriorating — and Melbourne's established tree canopy means root intrusion is endemic. Add in cooking fats, wet wipes, and general debris that accumulate in household drains, and it's no surprise that blocked drains in Melbourne are among our most common call types.

The Most Common Causes- Blocked Drain Melbourne: The Complete Guide

Tree root intrusion is the leading cause of recurring blocked drains in Melbourne's older suburbs. Roots enter through joint separations in clay pipes and grow until the pipe is obstructed. Fat, oil, and grease accumulate on pipe walls over time, narrowing the pipe diameter until even small debris can cause a blockage. Foreign objects — wet wipes, cotton buds, sanitary products, children's toys — cause toilet blockages. Despite labelling, no wet wipe breaks down in sewers the way toilet paper does. Structural pipe failure (collapsed sections, joint separations, pipe bellying) creates zones where waste accumulates repeatedly.

What a Plumber Actually Does

High-pressure water jetting is the professional standard for clearing blocked drains. Water is blasted through the pipe at up to 5000 PSI, cutting through root masses, grease, and debris. It's more effective than electric eels for most blockages and safer for older pipes. CCTV drain inspection follows for any recurring or unexplained blockage — a camera fed through the drain shows exactly what's causing the problem. Pipe relining is the permanent solution for structural damage: a resin liner inserted and cured inside the pipe creates a seamless, root-resistant pipe without excavation.

What Does It Cost?

A straightforward blocked drain cleared with high-pressure jetting: $200–$450 depending on access and severity. CCTV inspection: $150–$300, often combined with jetting on the same visit. Pipe relining costs depend on pipe diameter and length — a CCTV assessment is required before accurate quoting. ATC Plumbing provides upfront pricing before starting any work. No hidden fees, no surprises.

When to Call ATC Plumbing

Call us if your drain is completely blocked, DIY methods haven't worked, the same drain keeps blocking despite being cleared, multiple drains are slow simultaneously, or you can hear gurgling from other drains when you flush the toilet. That's why we created the Blocked Drain Melbourne: The Complete Guide blog! Same-day blocked drain service across Melbourne's south-east. Call 1300 282 758.

Prevention Tips for Common Drain Causes

For fat, oil and grease (FOG): never pour cooking fats down the drain — let them cool and dispose in the bin. Regular hot water flushing helps slow accumulation but won't reverse serious build-up already on pipe walls.

For soap scum and hair: fit a hair catcher over every shower and bath outlet. This is the single most effective prevention for slow bathroom drains and typically costs under $10. Hair and soap scum are the most common cause of slow bathroom drains and often respond to a simple DIY clear before a plumber is needed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Blocked Drains

How do I know if I have a blocked drain or a blocked sewer?

If only one fixture is affected — just the shower, or just the kitchen sink — it's a localised drain blockage. If multiple fixtures back up simultaneously (flushing the toilet causes the shower to overflow, or the laundry floor drain floods when the washing machine drains), you have a main sewer blockage. Main sewer blockages are more urgent and need immediate professional attention.

Can I use chemical drain cleaners?

Chemical drain cleaners can shift very mild blockages but are largely ineffective against the most common causes — root intrusion, solid objects, and structural pipe failure. They can damage older clay and PVC pipes with repeated use, and pose a safety risk to any plumber attending after their use. High-pressure jetting is safer, more effective, and doesn't damage your pipes.

Why do I hear gurgling from other drains when I flush the toilet?

Gurgling indicates air being displaced in the drain system — a sign the sewer line is partially blocked downstream of where multiple fixtures connect. It often precedes a full sewer backup. Call a plumber before the situation escalates to an overflow.

There's a bad smell coming from my drain — what does it mean?

A sulphurous or sewage smell from drains usually means the trap has dried out (common in infrequently used floor drains — just run water into them), or there's a partial blockage allowing sewer gases to escape. If the smell persists after running water into all floor drains, a CCTV inspection is the right next step.