Blocked Drains Melbourne

For expert, reliable, and fast blocked drain services in Melbourne and the outer suburbs, turn to Around Town Plumbing.

A slow-draining sink you can live with for a day. Sewage rising through the shower, or a toilet that fills instead of flushing, you cannot. Blocked drains in Melbourne homes and commercial buildings almost always start small and get worse on their own schedule, usually at the least convenient hour. Around Town Plumbing clears them properly, not just past the point you can see: we run a CCTV camera down the line to find the real cause, jet the blockage out under high pressure, then re-camera to prove the pipe runs clear. We have done this for south-east Melbourne households, strata complexes and commercial sites since 2007, with same-day response for blocked drains within business hours. Call 03 7023 5494 for a free quote and a fixed price agreed before we start.

Our Blocked Drain Services

Blocked Drain CCTV Drain Inspection

This technology allows us to get a close-up view of the inside of your pipes, identifying the exact location and nature of the blockage.

Blocked Drain High Powered Jet Blasting

This method uses high-pressure water to break up blockages and clean the interior walls of your pipes, removing debris, grease, and other obstructions.

Blocked Drain Repairs & Prevention

Clearing the blockage is only part of our service. We also offer comprehensive drain repair and prevention solutions.

We're Experts in Melbourne Leak Detection and Repairs

Signs Your Drain is Blocked

Most blockages give you warning before they fail completely. Worth acting on early:

Water draining slowly, or several fixtures draining slowly at once
Gurgling from the toilet, sink or floor waste
A foul or sewage smell around drains or outside
A toilet level that rises, drops oddly, or bubbles when you flush
Water pooling around outdoor drains, the yard or a downpipe after rain
The toilet backing up when the washing machine or shower runs

When more than one fixture is affected at the same time, the blockage is usually in the shared line rather than a single trap, and that is a job for a camera, not a plunger.

Blocked Drains Require Immediate Attention

A blocked drain can cause all manner of problems to a property so the sooner it’s fixed the better. The risks of ignoring a blocked drain include:

What Causes Blocked Drains In Melbourne

The cause decides the fix, which is why we look before we clear. In the south-east, the usual culprits are:

Tree roots working into older clay sewer pipes at the joints
Fat, grease and food scraps setting hard in kitchen and stormwater lines
Hair, soap and general build-up in bathroom drains
Wipes, nappies and objects that should never go down a toilet
Cracked, sagging or collapsed pipes in older properties
Storm debris and heavy spring rain overwhelming stormwater drains

Tree roots and storm load are the two we see most across established south-east suburbs, and both tend to come back if the line is only rodded rather than properly cleared and inspected.

How We Clear A Blocked Drain

Every blocked-drain job runs the same honest sequence, whether it is a single house or an eight-unit block. First we put a CCTV drain camera down the line and find the actual cause and its location, rather than guessing. Then we clear it with high-pressure water jetting, which cuts through roots, grease and build-up and scours the pipe wall rather than punching a hole through the blockage. Finally we re-camera the line so you can see for yourself that it runs clear. If the footage shows a cracked or collapsed section that jetting cannot fix, we tell you plainly and quote the repair; we do not clear it, take the money and leave you to call again in a fortnight.

Our Process: Fixing a Blocked Drain

Identifying the Blockage

The first step in our blocked drain service involves accurately identifying the location and nature of the blockage. Using advanced CCTV camera technology, we meticulously inspect your pipes, pinpointing the exact cause and location of the obstruction. This precision allows us to tailor our approach, ensuring the most effective resolution for your specific situation.

Clearing the Blockage

Once identified, we employ the most suitable method to clear the blockage quickly and effectively. Whether it requires the powerful force of our high-pressure water jets or the meticulous precision of our in-pipe grinders, our goal is clear: to restore your pipes to optimal function with minimal disruption to your property.

Ensuring Pipe Integrity

Clearing the blockage is just part of our comprehensive service. Following the removal of the obstruction, we conduct a thorough CCTV inspection to assess the condition of your pipes. Should we discover any damage, we offer a range of solutions, from complete pipe replacement to innovative pipe relining techniques, ensuring your plumbing system is not only clear but also structurally sound.

We Have The Whole Melbourne Area Covered

At Around Town Plumbing, we’ve got the whole of Melbourne covered, including the outer suburbs. We offer same-day services for burst pipes and blocked drains. No matter where you are, our expert team is ready to help.

Contact Our Team

Our Business Hours

Our Location

Blocked Drain Services We Cover

We clear and repair the full range of drainage problems:

Blocked sewers and sewage backups
Blocked stormwater drains, pits and downpipes
Blocked toilets, kitchen and bathroom drains
Tree-root intrusion in sewer and stormwater lines
Grease-trap and trade-waste backups for commercial kitchens
Drain and pipe repair, and broader sewer works

Stormwater and sewer are two separate systems, and they fail differently. Stormwater carries rain from roofs and paved areas and clogs with leaves, silt and storm debris; sewer carries waste and clogs with roots, grease and foreign objects. We handle both, and part of diagnosing the fault is confirming which system is actually blocked before we start.

Same-Day Response

A backed-up sewer is not something to sit on. We offer same-day response for blocked drains within business hours, Monday to Friday 7am to 5pm, drawing on a fleet of 10 fully stocked vans based in Dandenong. We are upfront that we are not a 24-hour operation, and we would rather tell you that than dress up a call centre as an always-open promise. When you call, you get a real, local emergency plumber.

What Does It Cost To Clear A Blocked Drain?

The honest answer is that it depends on the job, and any plumber quoting a flat figure over the phone without seeing the line is guessing. Cost is driven by how severe and how far down the blockage sits, how accessible the drain is, whether it is a simple clear or needs root-cutting, and whether the camera turns up damage that needs repair. Rather than publish a price list that would not survive contact with your actual pipe, we give you a free quote and a fixed, upfront price agreed before any work begins. No hidden call-out surprises, and no scope creep once we are on site. That transparency is the thing most people tell us they were missing from the last plumber.

Who Is Responsible For A Blocked Drain?

This one catches people out, so here is the general rule in Victoria. As a property owner, you are responsible for the drains and the sewer lateral on your property, up to the point they connect to the water authority’s main. If the blockage is in your pipes, it is your cost. The water authority is responsible for the main sewer beyond the connection, and the local council is generally responsible for the public stormwater drains in the street. If you are not sure where the blockage sits, that is exactly what the CCTV inspection tells us, and knowing which side of the boundary it is on can matter for who pays.

Are Blocked Drains Covered By Home Insurance?

Sometimes, it depends on the policy and the cause. Many home insurance policies cover sudden, accidental damage but exclude blockages caused by gradual wear, tree roots or lack of maintenance, which are the most common drain causes. It is always worth checking your product disclosure statement or calling your insurer before assuming either way. Where a claim is in play, the CCTV footage and our documentation give you a clear record of the cause and the work, which insurers usually want to see.

Can You Unblock A Drain Yourself?

For a minor, single-fixture slow drain, a plunger or a bent-wire hook to pull out hair is worth a try, and near-boiling (not fully boiling) water can shift a light grease clog in a sink. Skip the supermarket chemical drain cleaners on a serious blockage; they rarely clear a real obstruction and can damage older pipes. Once you have sewage backing up, more than one fixture affected, or a blockage you cannot reach, stop and call a plumber. Pushing harder at that point usually makes the mess worse, not better.

Skilled Melbourne Commercial Plumbers Ready To Support Your Business

At Around Town Plumbing, our dedication to excellence is unwavering. Our team of experienced commercial plumbers is focused on delivering exceptional service for all your commercial projects. With over 15 years of experience serving the local Melbourne community, we provide reliable and efficient plumbing services that exceed expectations.

ATP DIRECTOR

100% Workmanship Guarantee

We’re committed to unmatched quality, ensuring every job meets superior standards.

Same-Day Emergency Response

We offer same-day support if your commercial building faces burst pipes or blocked drains.

Licenced & Insured Commercial Plumbers

Every commercial plumber at Around Town Plumbing is fully qualified and highly trained.

Transparent Pricing

We believe in transparency on all fronts, delivering honest, upfront costs with no surprises.

Strata & Body Corporates

Around Town Plumbing partners with strata and owners corporations, offering tailored plumbing solutions for multi-dwelling units and offices. Our reliable service ensures property managers and residents experience minimal disruption, maintaining the integrity and comfort of each property with prompt, professional care.

Commercial and Industrial Clients

We provide comprehensive plumbing services to commercial and industrial clients, including preventive maintenance, emergency repairs, and installations. Our expertise covers everything from small retail spaces to large industrial complexes, ensuring businesses operate smoothly with minimal downtime.

Real Estate Managers

We offer prompt, reliable, and efficient plumbing services, from emergency repairs to routine maintenance and inspections. With our expertise and commitment to quality, real estate managers can trust us to handle all their plumbing requirements, ensuring properties are well-maintained and issues are resolved swiftly to keep tenants happy and properties in top condition.

Blocked Drain FAQs

How Long Does It Take To Clear A Blocked Drain?

Most straightforward blockages are cleared in a single visit once we have diagnosed and jetted the line. A blockage caused by root intrusion or a damaged pipe can take longer, and we will tell you upfront if it does.

Do You Offer Same-Day Blocked Drain Service?

Yes, for blocked drains within business hours we offer a same-day response where possible.

How Can I Stop My Drains Blocking Again?

Keep fat and food scraps out of the sink, keep wipes and hygiene products out of the toilet, and clear leaves from stormwater pits and gutters before storm season. For repeat root problems or a strata site, a scheduled maintenance program on the drains is cheaper than repeat emergencies.

To book a blocked-drain plumber, call Around Town Plumbing on 03 7023 5494.

Plumbing Services