Drain Cleaning Sydney
Get rid of slow, gurgling and smelly drains with a thorough clean that clears the buildup inside the pipe.
or
Free CCTV inspection
Book a drain cleaning plumber
Tell us what’s happening. We’ll call you back to lock in a time.
★ No call-out fee
★ 7 days · 6am–10pm
★ Footage yours to keep
Quick answer
Our drain cleaning Sydney jobs typically cost $350–$650 / hour. That includes the visit, high-pressure water jetting of the affected line, and a CCTV camera check. Most jobs take around 60-90 minutes, and same-day service is available subject to availability, with no call-out fee within our relevant Sydney service areas.
We clean the entire pipe through high-pressure water jetting. This removes buildup from the pipe wall, while a CCTV drain camera helps you ensure that the pipe has been cleaned thoroughly. It also helps us detect issues like roots, cracks, displaced joints or other damage behind the recurring problem.
Cleared properly, not just poked through
CCTV inspection available after clearing
Published price ranges, with no blind repair quotes
Signs you’ve got this problem
A drain rarely goes from working perfectly to completely blocked without giving you some warning first. Watch for:
Gurgling noises from the drain or toilet when another fixture is used
Bad or unpleasant odours coming from an internal or outdoor drain
A blocked toilet that backs up when another fixture is running
A drain that keeps developing drain blockages after being cleared
Grease, food waste or other debris visible around a drain
Drainage problems that become worse after heavy rain
Not sure? Call and describe it.
A plumber answers, 7 days · 6am–10pm. Two minutes on the phone usually narrows it down.
How we sort it
We don’t treat every blocked drain in the same way. The right approach depends on where the blockage is, what is causing it and the condition of the pipe itself.
Step 1
Clear the blockage
We use the appropriate equipment to get the affected drain flowing again. Depending on the blockage and pipe condition, this may involve an electric eel or high-pressure water jetting.
Step 2
Inspect the pipe with CCTV
Once the line is flowing, a CCTV drain camera can show what is happening inside the pipe.
What Causes Blocked Drains in Sydney?
When it comes to blocked drains in Sydney, the causes have a pattern. Our services cover regions such as North Shore and Sutherland Shire, which mostly have old homes with clay sewer pipes, laid in the 1980s. As these systems age, movement in the ground can lead to cracks. Once roots enter a damaged section, they can grow inside the pipe and catch more debris. This can lead to recurring blockages even after the drain has been cleared with a drain snake or a cable.
Everyday buildup is another common cause. Kitchen pipes can accumulate fat and grease, while bathroom drains can collect hair, soap residue and other material. Food scraps and other non-flushable items also restrict the water flow when they make their way into the drainage system.
There are also structural problems that cleaning alone cannot fix. A collapsed section, displaced joint or low point in the pipe can allow water and debris to collect, making the same area prone to repeated blockages.
Twenty years of grease narrowing a kitchen line. An eel pokes a hole through it; a jetter takes it back to the pipe wall.
Choosing the Right Drain Cleaning Method
There isn’t one method that suits every drain. Our initial assessment helps determine the right method for the blockage.
Electric eel or drain snake
An electric eel uses a rotating cable and cutting head to break through a blockage by creating an opening. It can be useful for minor obstructions and foreign objects. But it often leaves sediment behind, leading to recurring blockages.
High-pressure water jetting
High-pressure water jetting uses a specialised nozzle to direct water through the pipe and clean the pipe wall. It has the capacity of 5,000 psi and can remove grease, silt, soap residue, fine roots and compacted debris. It is more powerful than an eel and can be used on clay, PVC and cast iron pipes, provided the correct amount of water pressure is applied.
CCTV drain camera inspection
A CCTV drain camera inspection involves a locator, which identifies the exact place of the blockage without unnecessary excavation. It can help us identify root intrusion, cracks, displaced joints, structural damage and remaining obstructions.
How Much Does Drain Cleaning Cost in Sydney?
The typical range for a standard drain cleaning service is $350 to $650 per hour. This includes the visit, jetting of the affected line and a basic CCTV camera check. Relining or replacement is quoted separately if the inspection identifies a structural problem. The final drain cleaning cost depends on the type of blockage, the length of the affected line and the equipment required. We explain the work before proceeding, so you understand what you’re paying for rather than receiving a vague price after the job.
Plumbing quotes can vary because different services include different items. While camera inspection might cost you about $200 to $400, after-hours service calls might involve a 20-100% surcharge. Pipe relining generally involves a setup cost of around $2,500, plus approximately $450 to $650 a metre. Pipe replacement charges usually fall in the range of 1,500–$5,000.
We don’t charge any call-out fee in the six service areas and only offer a quote after an inspection.
Cost of drain cleaning in Sydney
$350–$650 / HOUR
to clean a drain properly
This cost only includes high-pressure water jetting and CCTV camera inspection. If it requires additional repairs such as relining or replacement, that charge is quoted separately only on the basis of the findings of the inspection footage.
No call-out fee within Sydney
Same price nights and weekends
Footage and report yours to keep
When Drain Cleaning Isn’t Enough: Pipe Relining and Repair
Sometimes cleaning is all a drain needs. Other times, the blockage is a symptom of a damaged pipe or structural damage. A collapsed section may not be suitable for jetting. In other cases, a drain can be cleared successfully, but the CCTV footage shows extensive root intrusion or a cracked section that is likely to cause the blockage to return.
When that happens, the next step is to address the damaged section rather than repeatedly clearing it.
Pipe relining builds a new pipe inside the existing one. A resin-soaked liner is pulled into the damaged section, inflated and cured in place. Where the existing pipe is suitable for relining, this process can repair cracks and root-damaged sections without excavation of driveways or gardens. It can be completed in a day without disruption. If pipes have completely collapsed, we recommend traditional replacement.
Cleaning or clearing: matching the technique to the drain
Drain cleaning and drain clearing are often used to mean the same thing, but there is a practical difference between simply restoring flow and cleaning buildup from inside the pipe.
Drain clearing is about restoring flow. A plunger or an eel may be enough for a localised blockage in a sink or toilet trap. Mechanical clearing with an electric eel can be used for certain stubborn blockages and foreign objects.
Drain cleaning goes further by addressing build-up along the accessible pipe wall. Jetting can help remove grease, soap residue, silt and other material that may continue restricting the pipe. The distinction becomes particularly important when a drain keeps blocking.
A CCTV drain inspection can help us understand the underlying cause of the blockage. If the line has been cleared several times but the same problem continues to return, there may be an underlying issue such as tree root intrusion, a cracked pipe or significant internal buildup. Our team recommends expert solutions that prevent repeated call-outs.
You see the inside of your own pipe on the screen, and we explain it in plain English as we go.
Drain Cleaning Services Across Sydney
Our drain cleaning specialists carry equipments such as a high-pressure jetter and CCTV camera, helping customers across Sydney deal with stubborn blockages.
We clean and clear kitchen drains, bathroom drains, laundry lines, floor wastes and sewer lines affected by grease, hair, soap residue, food waste and other buildup.
Our blocked drain services cover drains that have stopped flowing, recurring blockages and drainage problems where jetting or mechanical clearing is required.
We clean stormwater drains, pits and outdoor drainage affected by leaves, silt and debris.
A drain inspection, root-cutting and pipe relining can be arranged where a blockage keeps returning or where you need to understand the condition of your pipework.
For older homes, regular cleaning and inspection can form part of preventative maintenance to prevent major plumbing problems.
DIY drain cleaning: what works and what causes repair work
For a slow drain that has not completely blocked, there are a few simple measures you can take. In the kitchen, wiping excess fat and oil from pans before washing them can reduce grease entering the pipe. Enzyme treatment is perfect for removing heavy buildup caused by grease or soap scum.
Some homeowners also try remedies such as baking soda followed by hot water for minor buildup. But it cannot fix a damaged pipe or a major blockage. Chemical drain cleaners are another option commonly used at home, but they can’t effectively remove the buildup inside the pipe. They emit an unpleasant smell and can corrode older pipes.
Professional drain cleaning with hydro-jetting is the best remedy for recurring blockages.
Keeping drains clean between visits
You cannot prevent every drainage problem, but these are the preventive measures you can take to prevent future problems.
Don’t pour fats and cooking oil down the kitchen sink. Wipe greasy pans before washing them.
Avoid relying on chemical drain cleaners to solve recurring blockages.
Keep the overflow relief gully clear of leaves, soil and other debris.
Put only human waste and toilet paper down the toilet. Throw wet wipes in the bin.
Use sink strainers and shower hair catchers to keep food and hair out of the drainage system.
If you live in an older home with clay drainage, consider periodic inspection every 2 years and cleaning to prevent emergency call-outs.
Drain Maintenance for Older Sydney Homes
Older drainage systems of 1980’s homes can require more attention as pipes, joints and surrounding ground conditions change over time. Clay pipes can become vulnerable to movement, deteriorating joints and root intrusion as they age. Once roots enter through a damaged joint or crack, they can continue to grow inside the line and contribute to recurring blockages.
Simply clearing the roots may restore flow temporarily, but it does not repair the damaged section that allowed them into the pipe in the first place. That is why we recommend pipe relining for the collapsed section as a sustainable solution.
Common questions
Other drain services
Blocked Toilet
$250–$450
Cleared fast, with the cause checked — so it doesn’t happen again on a Sunday night.
Blocked Sewer
$450–$850
When the whole line is struggling — cleared, camera-checked, and fixed for good.
Stormwater Drains
$400–$750
Stop the yard flooding and the side path turning into a creek every time it rains.
7 days, 6am – 10pm
Book a CCTV inspection
This books a camera check — not a quote. We’ll see the problem, show you the footage, and talk you through the options.
Booking Request Received!
Thank you! Our plumbing team will contact you shortly to confirm your booking.
What should this cost?
Ranges are Sydney market bands for clearing and inspecting a drain, not a quote. Repairs are always a separate range you approve first.
Book a CCTV inspection
A blocked drain needs expert solutions to prevent repeat call-outs.
We use CCTV inspection to show you the condition of your pipes, recommend an appropriate solution, and clean the pipes on the same day.