How Much Does It Cost to Clear a Blocked Drain?

Average Cost to Clear a Blocked Drain - Factors, Pricing, and Affordable Solutions

Blocked drains don't just inconvenience homeowners; they can sometimes be a problem. Whether it is in the kitchen sink when only a minor blockage has occurred, the bathroom toilet has been obstructed, or something more serious, such as tree roots growing into your sewer line, it is imperative to understand the costs to clear blocked drains because costs vary.

About 70% of drain blockages in Australia are caused by tree roots and fat deposits, with Sydney and Melbourne being the most affected cities due to their aging infrastructure.

Blockage in the drain may lead to water damage, costly repair bills, and even health hazards from mould and bacteria. Neglected blockages often escalate into serious plumbing problems that are more expensive to repair later.

Blockages should be treated promptly to maintain a healthy plumbing system, hence safety and comfort in your home. Let's try to understand different aspects of drain clogging along with the cost of clearing blockage, replacing your entire drainage system, or fixing sewer blockage.

What Causes Blocked Drains?

There are many common causes of blocked drains in Australia. Knowing these may help you prevent similar situations in the future.

• Tree Roots: Tree roots are one of the most common causes of blockages. Tree roots have extensive root systems, especially native Australian species such as eucalyptus, which causes severe pipe blockage.


• Fat and Grease Build-Up: Kitchen sinks are easily clogged with grease and fat. It dries out eventually in your pipes and leads to massive clogging.


• Foreign Objects: Hair, toiletries, and other foreign particles also cause blockage. As these are bound to collect inside pipes and clog them, there is an actual possibility of this happening.


• Broken Pipes: Usually, older buildings or ill-installed pipes cause breakage. Sometimes the condition of the pipes weakens with age and thus collapse or break down, while others get destroyed due to wrong installation.


• Blocked Storm Drains: Outdoor drains are especially prone to blockage during storms, mainly by leaves, dirt, and litter.

Cost To Clear a Clogged Drain

It is the type of blockage that determines the degree of cost incurred in clearing out the blockage. Here are general estimates based on the type of blockage and service provided:

• Basic Clogs: The price is mostly within the range of $150 to $200. These include relatively small jobs like unclogging a simple toilet or kitchen drain. The clogs are often capable of being fixed relatively promptly.


• Entry-Level Clogs: If you require a more aggressive process, like a drain machine or electric eel, be prepared to pay between $200 and $250. For really tough clogs, you could be paying $250 for up to one hour of service, with every 15 minutes after that costing an extra $24.75.


• CCTV Drain Inspection: A drain snake installed with a CCTV high-definition camera is useful before digging to diagnose the problem. The cost may range in the range of $300.


• Extreme or Severe Clogs: In cases where your blockages are extreme, the hydro-jetting, usually a piece of equipment held for commercial operations, may be around $350.


• Pipes Replacement: In case the obstruction has damaged your pipes, you would need a replace drainage piping. It may start from as little as $1,000 to $4,000 +. This depends on the extent of damage.

Cost Breakdown by Drain Unclogging Method

There are different techniques for unclogging a drain so the cost to drain out a plugged drain will depend upon the method of your plumber.

Manual Drain Snaking or Plunging

• Cost: $80-$200


• Best for: Minor congestion inaccessible drains.


• Time-Required: Takes generally 30 minutes to 1 hour.

This method is typically used for minor blockages, where a plumber uses a portable snake or plunger to break up the blockage. This one's the cheapest around, but only works on surface blockages.

Hydro Jetting

• Cost: $200 - $500


• Best for: Grease, fat, or tree root buildup.


• Time Taken: 1-2 hours depending on the severity.

This is a very powerful method used especially for clearing severe obstructions. It can even dislodge tree roots from pipes.

CCTV Drain Inspection

• Cost: $150 - $400


• Usability: This technique would prove of immense help for diagnostic purposes to ascertain whether or not it is a serious or recurring clog.


• Time Taken: 30 minutes to 1 hour.

What a CCTV drain inspection does is essentially what the camera is looking at within your pipes to find out where the blockage has come from. It can be very helpful if you are not sure what has caused the blockage or if it's a recurring problem.

Chemical Drain Cleaners

• Cost: $10 - $30 (DIY option)


• Best for: Minor blockages, although these can damage pipes over time.

Chemical drain cleaners are a home-fix remedy for minor clogs. One should be careful with their use since overusing it can lead to corrosion in the pipes. They do not apply for severe blockages.

Excavation and Pipe Replacement

• Cost: $1,000 to $4,000 or more


• Best for: Pipes are broken or completely collapsed.


• Time Required: Several days depending on the scope of work.

If the blockage has caused extreme damage to your pipes, you'll need to replace the whole lot. This is a more expensive and invasive procedure but sometimes the only solution available for old homes with failing pipe systems.

Factors That Determine the Blocked Drain Cost Australia

Several factors affect the average plumbing costs for blocked drains. Here's a closer look at what can drive up the cost:

It is less expensive in terms of expenditure to plunge into easily accessible blocked sinks or drains in bathrooms and kitchens. On the other hand, if it falls on underground pipes or deep down within the sewer system, then more time-consuming and heavier equipment would be required, thus increasing the costs.

Clogged blockages that may be fixed with a plunger or hand drain snake will be much cheaper than those requiring anything more advanced such as hydrojetting or pipe replacement.

Having a plumber come out outside of regular hours or on an emergency basis does incur a bit of extra cost. If you are looking for a plumber to come out on a public holiday or in the dead of night, you are taking an additional 25% - 50% added on top of standard prices.

Since the location is different, so are the rates of hiring a plumber. For example:

• Sydney: $90-$250 per hour


• Melbourne: $85-$240 per hour


• Perth: $80-$230 per hour

Major cities like Sydney and Melbourne will charge higher for plumbing as demand increases and demand for living expenses is higher.

The cost will also depend on the method to unblock a drain. Snaking is more affordable than hydrojetting. Hydrojetting is effective for big blockages. If the pipes are badly damaged and cannot be fixed, then you may need to replace your whole system of drainage, and in extreme situations, this will wildly increase costs.

Additional Costs to Consider With Drain Plumbers

In addition to the cost of unclogging a drain, there are more indirect expenses too:

Most plumbers now charge an amount known as a call-out fee, which ranges from $50 to $150. These companies do not charge you this fee if you hire them for the work.

The cost to fix tree roots in drain pipes ranges from $800 to $1,500 per meter in pipe relining, and $1,000 to $3,000 in total replacement depending on the severity of the damage.

Regular maintenance prevents potential clogging. You would face annual inspections and cleaning, which might cost between $200 and $400. The above would save you from costly repairs later.

Do you DIY or hire a professional when you encounter clogging? Let's compare below.

• Drain Snake: $30-$50


• Plunger: $15-$30


• Chemical Cleaners: $10-$30

While do-it-yourself techniques for minor blockages are cost-effective, they hold risks. More serious clogs should be left to professionals.

The engagement of a professional plumber is one good means to assure reliability and peace of mind about this problem. They reach better equipment and techniques, such as hydro jets and CCTV cameras, that can equip them to supply a more thorough solution and reduce the risk of recurring blockage. Get the appropriate quotes from a Blocked Drain Plumber.

Does Home Insurance Include Drains?

There are times when a policy of home insurance would cover repairs caused by blocked drains. But most of the time, routine maintenance and minor blockages are not covered by policies. If, however, that blockage causes major water damage, your policy will probably cover it, especially when tree roots are inside the drain pipes or if there are broken pipes.

Tips To Prevent Blockage In Sewage And Drains

Maintenance should always be routine so that costly repairs would be prevented. Here are some preventive measures you could undertake:

• Regular Cleaning: Schedule for an annual inspection and cleaning which clears all the grease, fat, and dirt in their state before they become a blockage.


• Drain Strainers: These minnow contraptions prevent hair, food, and other foreign objects from entering your drain.


• What You Flush: Avoid flushing materials like wipes, paper towels, and sanitary products. They do not break down easily and can cause more blockages.


• Controls of Trees Along Pipes: For instance, when trees are adjacent to your sewer lines, you can either have them removed or install the root barrier to ensure that the roots do not penetrate the pipes.

Government Regulations and Licensing

Plumbers in Australia have to acquire a license to perform plumbing repairs. Knowing that your plumber is a licensed professional ensures the job will be done professionally and is compliant with the state or territory regulations.

• NSW Fair Trading: Licensed plumbers in NSW.


• Victorian Building Authority: Blockages are quite a frequent phenomenon in Australia, with 70% of blocks being root activity in trees and fat deposits. This commonly occurs in Sydney and Melbourne because the aging infrastructure in these cities aggravates the problem. Water conservation measures also push plumbing problems since a meagre flow of water lowers the efficiency of flushing and brings about blockages.

Conclusion

The cost of clearing blocked drains can vary from one area of Australia to another and the seriousness of the blockage, the method used, and how bad the pipes are. It can cost anywhere from $150 just to clear minor blockages, but serious tree root blockage or pipe damage could even go up to a thousand dollars or more. A licensed professional ensures the job is done efficiently, and all services that have been provided do not cause recurring blockages. In addition, she takes regular preventative measures against costly repairs to keep your plumbing system in top condition.