A blocked drain is the most common plumbing callout in Melbourne, and the one most likely to turn into property damage if it is left. Sedcon Plumbing clears blocked drains across Melbourne metro using CCTV inspection and high-pressure water jetting — usually same day, and always with a clear explanation of what caused it.
We attend for homeowners, and we are the regular drain contractor for property managers, strata managers and builders who need the cause documented rather than just the blockage cleared.
Signs you have a blocked drain
- Water draining slowly from sinks, showers or floor wastes
- Gurgling from drains or toilets when water runs elsewhere in the building
- Water rising in the shower when the washing machine empties
- A sewage smell around drains, gully traps or garden beds
- Overflow from an outside gully trap, particularly after heavy rain
- Toilet water rising higher than normal before it drains away
One slow fixture usually means a local blockage. Several fixtures backing up at once points to a blockage in the main sewer line, which is more urgent — that is the point at which waste can back up into the building.
What causes blocked drains in Melbourne
The cause matters, because it decides whether you are paying for a clear or a repair — and in a rental or strata building, it often decides who pays.
- Tree roots — the most common cause in Melbourne’s established suburbs. Older clay and earthenware pipes in areas like Carlton, Northcote, Hawthorn and Camberwell develop small cracks at the joints, and roots find the moisture.
- Fat, oil and grease — congeals on pipe walls and narrows the line over time. The usual cause in kitchens and commercial premises.
- Wet wipes and sanitary items — including products labelled flushable. These do not break down, and they are the single most common cause of blockages in apartment buildings.
- Hair and soap scum — the usual cause in bathroom basins and shower wastes.
- Collapsed or misaligned pipes — from ground movement, pipe age, or heavy vehicles over a driveway. This needs repair, not clearing.
- Silt and leaf litter — in stormwater drains and gully traps, particularly through autumn and after heavy rain.
How we clear blocked drains
We inspect before we clear, and again afterwards. That is what tells you whether you have had a one-off blockage or a recurring structural problem.
- CCTV drain camera — we locate the blockage and identify the cause before touching it, and you get the finding in writing.
- High-pressure water jetting — clears roots, grease and debris without damaging sound pipework.
- Drain machine — for accessible blockages where jetting is not warranted.
- Root cutting — where roots have entered a pipe joint.
- Pipe relining — a no-dig repair for cracked or root-damaged sections, so the same blockage does not return.
- Excavation — only where relining is not viable.
What a callout involves
- We confirm access and attend — same day wherever possible, and after hours for overflows.
- We inspect with a camera, then tell you what we have found and what it will cost before we start.
- We clear the blockage and re-inspect to confirm the line runs clear.
- You get a written summary of the cause and any follow-up work needed.
Blocked drains in rental properties and strata buildings
In a rental, the cause usually determines liability. Blockages caused by misuse — wipes, sanitary items, food waste — generally sit with the tenant. Blockages caused by tree roots, pipe age or structural movement generally sit with the owner. In an owners corporation, a blockage in a shared stack or on common property is usually the OC’s responsibility, while a blockage within a lot is usually the lot owner’s.
We provide written assessments with camera footage that property managers and strata managers can use to allocate cost without argument. We coordinate access directly with tenants and notify you when the job is complete, so you are not left chasing either side.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to unblock a drain in Melbourne?
Most standard blocked drain call-outs fall in the range of $200 to $450, depending on access, the method required and whether a CCTV inspection is needed. Root cutting and pipe relining cost more, because they are repairs rather than clears. We give you a clear price before starting — see our Melbourne plumber cost guide for indicative ranges across common jobs.
How quickly can a plumber attend for a blocked drain?
Sedcon Plumbing responds same day for non-emergency blocked drains, and urgently for overflowing sewage or flooding. Call or text 0413 647 557 to confirm availability.
Can a blocked drain cause sewage backup?
Yes — a blocked sewer drain is a health hazard. Sewage can back up through floor drains, toilets and showers. If you see sewage backing up, call us immediately rather than waiting.
Can you clear a blocked drain without digging?
Almost always. High-pressure jetting clears the great majority of blockages, and relining repairs damaged sections without excavation.
Who pays for a blocked drain in a rental property?
It depends on the cause, which is exactly why we document it. Blockages caused by misuse generally sit with the tenant; blockages caused by pipe condition or tree roots generally sit with the owner.
Are you licensed to do drain work in Victoria?
Yes — all drain work is completed by a VBA-licensed plumber (Licence 120392) with public liability insurance (OA62972999).
Blocked drain in Melbourne? Call or text Sedcon Plumbing on 0413 647 557. VBA Licence 120392, fully insured, servicing Melbourne metro seven days.
Related services: Emergency Plumber Melbourne · Licensed Gas Plumber Melbourne · Commercial Plumber Melbourne