How Much Does It Cost to Clear A Blocked Drain in Melbourne?

A blocked drain is something most people don’t want to encounter. However, there are people who can help! Plumbers are engaged by tenants and owners on a regular basis to attend to blocked drains. And, the process to clear a blocked drain is usually quite simple and can be completed in a short period of time. Whether you have a blocked drain in the kitchen, laundry, bathroom, garden or somewhere else at your property, a licenced blocked drains plumber can help you unblock it properly.

A blocked drain can be caused by many things. Whether it is intentional or accidental, a blocked drain needs to be fixed to ensure the services relying on appropriate drainage can be used. Whether there is a build-up of waste, movement in the drainage system or interference from the environment, you will notice a blocked drain when the water ponds and gurgles, or when there is a nasty odour emanating from the service that is connected to the blocked drain.

Drain Unblocking Cost

The cost to clear a blocked drain in 2024 varies. Depending on the location of the blockage, the piping system, the connected services, and the type of blockage, the cost to repair will differ. Sometimes, the blockage can be cleared simply with an auger. However, other blockages might require locating the source of the issue and making changes to the system to ensure the blockage does not occur again.

As a guide, expect to pay the following costs for a range of drain clearing jobs conduct by a licenced drain plumber:

• $80 to $120 to unblock a simple toilet or kitchen drain;
• $300 to $500 to clear a short stretch of blocked drain;
• $1000 to $3000 to replace a larger portion of your drainage piping; and
• $5,000 to $20,000 to replace your entire drainage system (depends on the scale of the job).

To help you minimise or limit the chance of needing to call a licenced and professional drainage plumber Melbourne to clear a blocked drain, here are 15 quick tips to prevent you from blocking a drain.

1. Proper and Professional Installation

If you are building a new property or acquire an existing property, make sure any plumbing work is carried out by a licenced and professional drain plumber. This will ensure that all plumbing work is certified to comply with regulations and best practices. This will limit your chances of there being any issues with the plumbing system that could cause a blocked drain. If everything has been installed according to regulations and there are no issues with the plumber’s workmanship, any later blockages might be caused by human error, waste or environmental factors.

2. Limit Waste Down Drains

Do not throw waste material down drains. Whether you wish to deposit waste materials in a kitchen sink, shower, toilet, bathroom basin, laundry trough or garden drain, make sure the waste is suitable and allowed. Non-degradable items such as most solids should not be disposed using the drainage system. While you might wish to deposit liquids because you think it will run off smoothly, make sure the type of liquid is permitted and will not interfere with your plumbing system. Ideally, hazardous liquids should be disposed safely using a professional company.

3. Do Not Plant Trees New Draining Systems

Planting a tree near a drainage system can increase the chance of damage. Tree roots are notoriously thirsty for water and will travel in various directions looking for water. Tree roots can also push against plumbing systems and tangle around pipes. Make sure you have your gardener or landscaper consult your plumber with the building plans at hand to ensure any plant material is planted at a clear and safe distance from the drainage system.

4. Ensure Any Maintenance is Conducted by A Professional

If you require any plumbing maintenance at your property, ensure you engage a professional. Any work, above a certain level of cost, will be certified. Regardless, all plumbers engaged should be licenced and should have appropriate insurances in place to cover poor workmanship. A licenced professional will give you peace of mind, so you know the work has been performed appropriately and in accordance with the relevant and applicable codes.

5. Clean Shower Trap Regularly

Shower bases, drains and traps are likely to catch hair, soap scum and other waste matter after you take a shower. Over time, the build up can be significant and this can push through the pipes and cause a blockage. It is important that any waste at the bottom of your shower is removed on a regular basis. Doing this will help you minimise your chances of encountering a blockage in the drain.

6. Do Not Flush Large Items in Toilet

Sometimes it is tempting to flush large items in the toilet. However, this can lead to greater costs in the future if a blockage occurs. Avoid flushing non-flushable items in the toilet. Remind your children or elderly members of the household so that unnecessary items are not disposed inappropriately.

7. Check Before Building

Before you undergo a renovation or small project, make sure you identify where your drainage system is. Do not attempt to dig holes or make modifications to your property without understanding where the pipes are. Failure to check could cause damage to the drainage system and lead to blockages, floods and other undesirable consequences. Take your time and inspect all final building plans so that you know where the essential services have been installed or laid.

8. Check Drainage System

If you suspect you might have a blockage, ensure you do not simply clear the blockage and leave it at that. You must ask your plumber to locate the source of the blockage so that it can be remedied. If the source is human error or a human accident, that might not be a big issue. Better training is required! However, if the source is subsidence or environmental factors affecting the pipework, you will need to have the issue investigated so that it can be rectified professionally.

9. Never Remove Sink Strainers

Sink strainers in your kitchen sink/s serve a very important purpose. The clue is in the name! Yes, they strain unnecessary waste from entering your drainage system. The waste collected in the strainer should be deposited in your waste bin. Make sure those strainers are always used so that unwanted waste does not end up flowing through your drains.

10. Avoid Thick Soaps and Powders

Thick soaps and powders might not dissolve as you expect. For example, strong detergents, washing powders, etc. might not be suitable for your drain. The more you flush down your drain, the more likely it is for the soap to deposit on the walls of the drainage pipes and cause a blockage. While drain cleaning liquids, gels and crystals might help clear drains, they can also react with existing deposits and make the blockage more severe.

11. Never Pour Grease Down The Kitchen Sink

After you have fried your food or had a barbeque, avoid pouring oil or grease down the drain. Instead, collect the grease and dispose it in a biodegradable bag in the bin. Oil and grease do not dissolve with water and it can stick to the sides of the drainage pipe and attract more waste. This can then cause waste build up and eventually lead to a blockage.

12. Avoid DIY Clearing Techniques

While you might be tempted to save some money and engage in DIY tasks to clear a blocked drain, you might make the matter worse. Inappropriate use of tools or substances may exacerbate the blockage or push it further into the drainage system. Engage a qualified plumber to inspect the blockage and apply appropriate drain clearing techniques.

13. Clear & Rinse Cutlery and Utensils Before Placing in Dishwasher

A good habit is rinsing cutlery and utensils before placing them in the dishwasher for cleaning. By doing this, any waste will be collected in your sink so that you can easily dispose it in your waste bin. Also, this will help your dishwasher clean your cutlery and utensils quicker and use less water.

14. Clear Gutters and Roof

Leaves are nasty when they block downpipes. Make sure your gutters are cleaned on a regular basis. It is ideal to have gutter guard installed so that any leaves fall off the side of the gutter instead of sitting in the gutter, decaying and falling into the downpipes.

15. Clear Drains

External drains around your property should be left clear off rubbish. Make sure leaves, rocks, sand and other materials are not deposited near the drains. If there is rain or wind, this can push these materials into the drain and cause a blockage. Engage in periodic cleaning to ensure the drains are free from unwanted materials.

At Heritage Plumbing Group, we specialise in a comprehensive and extensive range of drain plumbing services and our team is trained in providing the best solution to any plumbing issue you might have. We provide a rapid response on all emergency work, meaning that when you need a professional Melbourne plumber for an urgent job, we attend to the situation and make sure it’s handled to your satisfaction, and meets the highest possible safety standards.

To help you clear blocked drain in Melbourne, whether urgent or not, contact us today on (03) 9498 0458.

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