Should I get my drains cleaned regularly?
For some homes, yes. If your drains block every year or two, waiting for the next blockage means sewage in the yard, a toilet you can't use and a call-out at a bad time. Booking a drain clean before it blocks is usually cheaper and much less stressful. For other homes it isn't needed at all. Here's how to tell which group you're in.
Homes that benefit most
Tree roots in the sewer
Roots grow back into clay pipe joints after they're cut. Clearing them before they close the pipe again stops repeat blockages. See our tree roots guide.
Kitchen fat build-up
Busy kitchens, or long kitchen lines under timber floors, collect fat that slowly narrows the pipe.
Old clay pipes
Older pipes with cracks, sags or offset joints catch waste more easily.
A history of blockages
If you've had the same drain cleared more than once, it's likely to block again.
How often?
It depends on what's causing the problem. Homes with aggressive tree roots often do well with a jet clean every 6 to 12 months. Fat build-up in a kitchen line may only need it every year or two. We'll look at your camera footage and history and suggest a sensible interval rather than a one-size-fits-all schedule.
What a maintenance clean involves
- A high-pressure jet clean of the problem line from the inspection opening, cutting out roots, fat and debris. See drain jetting.
- A camera check where useful, so you can see the pipe is clear and how the roots or damage are changing.
- Advice on whether a permanent fix, like pipe relining of the damaged sections, would save you money over time.
You get a fixed price before any work starts.
Regular cleaning or a permanent fix?
Regular cleaning manages the problem; relining or replacing the damaged pipe solves it. If you're paying for frequent cleans, it's worth comparing that with a one-off repair. We'll show you the footage and give you both options.
In southern Eastern Suburbs homes
Many older homes in Matraville, Maroubra, Malabar and Kingsford have clay sewer pipes with street trees or big gardens nearby, and the same root blockages come back year after year. Those are the homes where a planned clean, or a permanent repair, pays off. Priority Plan members get priority booking.
Why locals call us
- Local to Matraville and the southern Eastern Suburbs
- Free on-site quotes, with a fixed price before any work starts
- Lifetime labour warranty on our workmanship
- 100+ five-star Google reviews
- Licensed plumbers and gasfitters (Lic. 398171C)
Common questions
Is regular drain cleaning worth it?
For homes with tree roots, fat build-up or old damaged pipes, it usually is. For homes without repeat blockages, it isn't needed.
How often should drains be cleaned?
Commonly every 6 to 12 months for problem tree roots, and every year or two for kitchen fat build-up. It depends on your pipes.
Will cleaning stop tree roots coming back?
No. Roots grow back into damaged joints. Relining or replacing those sections is the permanent fix.
Can I clean my drains myself?
You can keep fat and wipes out of them. Clearing roots and set fat needs a high-pressure jetter.
Related help: drain jetting, blocked drains, CCTV drain inspection, pipe relining and how far tree roots travel. Local pages: blocked drains Matraville, blocked drains Maroubra, blocked drains Malabar and blocked drains Kingsford.