Why do my drains keep blocking?
Clearing a blockage fixes today's problem. If the same drain keeps blocking, something in the pipe is causing it. This guide explains the common causes, the warning signs, how we find the real problem, and your options to fix it for good. It's written by the local plumbers who clear drains every week across Matraville, Maroubra, Malabar, Botany and the southern Eastern Suburbs.
Common causes of blocked drains
- Tree roots getting in through the joints of older clay pipes, looking for water.
- Wet wipes, sanitary items and paper towel, which don't break down like toilet paper.
- Fat, oil and food scraps from the kitchen, which set hard in the pipe.
- Cracked, sagging or broken pipes from age and ground movement.
- Old joints that have shifted, catching everything that passes.
Warning signs
- Toilets, sinks or showers draining slowly
- Gurgling from drains or the toilet
- A sewage smell inside or in the yard
- Water rising out of the outdoor gully
- Wet, sinking or extra-green patches of lawn over the pipe line
- The same drain blocking again and again
Overflowing gully? Stop using water in the house, especially toilets and the washing machine, and call us.
Why drains block in the southern Eastern Suburbs
Many homes in Matraville, Maroubra, Malabar, Pagewood and Botany were built after the war and still have their original clay sewer lines. Clay pipes are joined every metre or so, and over the decades the joints shift and crack. Roots from yard and street trees find their way in, and that's the most common cause of repeat blockages we see. Closer to the beach, sand from outdoor showers and courtyards also ends up in drains and pits.
How we find the real cause
1. Clear the blockage
A high-pressure water jetter cuts through roots and build-up and flushes the line clean.
2. Camera inspection
A waterproof camera travels through the pipe and records it. You see the roots, cracks or damage on screen, and we locate where it is. CCTV inspection →
3. Your options
We show you the footage and give you clear options with a fixed price, from a maintenance clean through to a permanent repair.
4. Fix it for good
If the pipe is damaged, a repair or reline stops the blockages coming back.
Repair or reline?
- Maintenance clean: jetting the line regularly to keep roots under control. Good for minor root growth, or when a repair isn't in the budget yet.
- Patch relining: a tough liner set inside the pipe over one damaged section or joint. Good for one or two problem spots in an otherwise sound pipe.
- Full relining: a new seamless pipe formed inside the old one. Good for long runs with many cracked joints or heavy root damage.
- Dig and replace: excavating and laying new pipe, for collapsed pipes or where relining isn't possible.
Relining means no trench through your lawn, garden or driveway, is usually done in a day, and seals the joints roots get in through. More about pipe relining →
Keep your drains clear
- Only flush toilet paper, never wipes, even ones labelled flushable.
- Scrape fat, oil and food scraps into the bin, not the sink.
- Keep trees with aggressive roots away from your pipe line.
- Book a yearly maintenance clean if roots are a known problem.
Why locals call us for blocked drains
- Based in Matraville, close to every southern Eastern Suburbs home
- 100+ five-star Google reviews
- Free quotes, and a fixed price before any work starts
- Camera footage of your pipe is yours to keep
- Licensed plumbers and drainers (Lic. 398171C)
Common questions
Why does my drain keep blocking?
Usually because something is wrong with the pipe itself, most often roots getting in through cracked joints in old clay pipes. A camera inspection shows the cause.
Who is responsible for a blocked sewer, me or Sydney Water?
Generally the homeowner looks after the private pipe from the house to where it joins Sydney Water's sewer main, and Sydney Water looks after the main. If our camera shows the blockage is in the main, we'll tell you so you can report it.
Are flushable wipes OK?
No. They don't break down like toilet paper and are one of the most common causes of blockages.
Will you need to dig up my yard?
Not usually. Most blockages clear with jetting, and many damaged sections can be relined from inside the pipe.
Need a drain cleared? See our blocked drains service, or your local page: blocked drains Matraville, Maroubra blocked drains guide, Malabar, Pagewood, Eastgardens, Botany and Little Bay. More plumbing guides.