A sink that drains slowly, a shower that gurgles, a bad smell from the laundry, or water rising up through the floor waste. These are all signs of a blocked drain, and they rarely fix themselves.
Plumbers clear blocked drains by first inspecting the pipe with a CCTV drain camera to find the blockage, then removing it with a drain snake, high-pressure hydro jetter or root cutter, depending on what’s causing it.
In this guide, our South Adelaide plumbers explain what causes blocked drains, how professionals clear them step by step, and the tools they use. We also cover how to clear blocked drains at home, when it’s time to call a plumber, and how to stop blockages coming back.
Key Takeaways
- Plumbers diagnose before they clear. A CCTV drain camera shows exactly where the blockage is and what’s causing it, so the right method is used the first time.
- The main professional methods are drain snaking, hydro jetting and root cutting. Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to blast away grease, sludge and tree roots and clean the pipe walls.
- The most common causes of blocked drains are fat, oil and grease, hair and soap scum, wet wipes and sanitary products, food scraps, and tree roots getting into older pipes.
- Minor blockages can often be cleared at home with a plunger, boiling water, baking soda and vinegar, or by cleaning the P-trap.
- Avoid harsh chemical and acid drain cleaners. They can damage pipes, release toxic fumes and cause burns, and should only be used by professionals.
- Call a plumber if DIY methods fail, blockages keep coming back, several drains are blocked at once, or water or sewage is coming out of the overflow relief gully (ORG).
- Home insurance usually covers sudden damage caused by a blocked drain, not the cost of clearing it. Tree roots and gradual wear are often excluded, so check your policy.
- Prevention is simple: keep grease out of the sink, use drain strainers, only flush the 3 Ps (pee, poo, paper), and book regular drain inspections.
What Causes Blocked Drains?
Blocked drains are usually caused by fat, oil and grease, hair, soap scum, wet wipes, food scraps and sanitary products building up inside pipes. Outside the home, tree roots, soil movement and cracked or collapsed pipes are the most common causes, especially in older homes with clay sewer pipes.
Common causes inside the home
- Fat, oil and grease (FOG): poured down the kitchen sink as a liquid, it cools, hardens and coats the inside of the pipe.
- Hair and soap scum: they bind together in shower, bath and basin drains to form a stringy, solid clog.
- Food scraps: coffee grounds, rice, pasta and vegetable peelings collect in kitchen drains.
- “Flushable” wet wipes and sanitary products: they don’t break down like toilet paper and are one of the biggest causes of toilet and sewer blockages.
- Foreign objects: toys, cotton buds and dental floss can snag and trap everything behind them.
Common causes outside the home
- Tree roots: roots are drawn to the moisture in sewer pipes and push in through joints and small cracks. This is very common in older South Adelaide suburbs with established trees and clay pipes.
- Soil movement: Adelaide’s reactive clay soils swell and shrink with the seasons, which can shift, crack or misalign pipes.
- Cracked or collapsed pipes: older earthenware pipes can break down with age, leaving gaps where soil and debris get in.
- Leaves and debris: stormwater drains and downpipes fill with leaves, dirt and silt, especially after autumn and heavy rain.
How do drains get blocked over time?
Most blockages build up slowly. A thin layer of grease or scum narrows the pipe, which catches more material, until one last item causes a full blockage. If a drain keeps blocking up again after you’ve cleared it, the problem is likely deeper in the pipe. We cover the warning signs in more detail in our post on dealing with a clogged drain in Adelaide.
What Are the Signs of a Blocked Drain?
The most common signs of a blocked drain are:
- Sinks, showers or baths draining slowly
- Gurgling sounds from plugholes or the toilet
- Bad smells coming from drains
- Water rising in the toilet bowl when you flush
- Water or sewage bubbling up from the overflow relief gully (ORG) outside
- Several fixtures blocked at the same time, which usually points to a problem in the main sewer line
Noticed any of these signs? Our blocked drain plumbers in Adelaide can find the cause and clear it fast.
How Do Plumbers Clear Blocked Drains? (Step by Step)
Plumbers clear blocked drains in four steps: inspect the pipe with a CCTV camera, choose the right method for the blockage, clear it with a drain snake, hydro jetter or root cutter, and then re-inspect with the camera to confirm the pipe is fully clear.
- Diagnose with a CCTV drain camera. A waterproof camera on a flexible cable is fed into the drain. It shows the plumber exactly where the blockage is, what it’s made of, and whether the pipe is cracked, collapsed or full of roots, without digging anything up.
- Choose the right clearing method. Grease and sludge need a different approach to tree roots or a broken pipe. Picking the right method first saves time and avoids damaging the pipe.
- Clear the blockage. Depending on the cause, the plumber uses an electric drain snake, a high-pressure hydro jetter or a root cutter to remove the blockage and restore full flow.
- Re-inspect and give prevention advice. The camera goes back in to confirm the pipe is completely clear. Your plumber can then explain what caused the blockage and how to stop it happening again, and flag any damage that needs repair.
What Tools Do Plumbers Use to Unclog Drains?
Plumbers use a range of tools, from simple plungers for small clogs to hydro jetters and CCTV cameras for serious blockages deep in the sewer line.
Plungers and hand augers
For minor clogs close to the fixture, such as a blocked basin or toilet. A hand auger is a short, manually wound cable that can reach a little further than a plunger.
Electric drain snakes (eels)
A motorised steel cable with a cutting or grabbing head that is fed through the pipe. It breaks up or pulls out tough blockages further down the line, such as hair, wipes and compacted waste.
High-pressure hydro jetters
A hydro jetter sends water through a special nozzle at very high pressure. It blasts away grease, sludge, silt and roots and scours the pipe walls clean, so blockages are less likely to come back. Our team pairs it with a camera check through our CCTV drain inspection and hydro jetting service.
CCTV drain cameras
Used before and after clearing to find the blockage, check the condition of the pipe and confirm the job is done. The footage is also useful for insurance claims.
Root cutters
A rotating cutting head attached to a drain machine that slices through tree roots growing inside the pipe. It’s often followed by hydro jetting to flush the cut roots out.
Pipe relining and repair equipment
When the pipe itself is cracked or broken, clearing alone won’t fix the problem. Drain relining installs a new resin lining inside the old pipe, often with little or no digging.
Drain Clearing Tools Compared
| Tool | Best for | Blockage type | DIY or professional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plunger | Toilets, sinks, basins | Minor clogs near the fixture | DIY |
| Hand auger | Sinks, showers, toilets | Hair and small clogs within a few metres | DIY or professional |
| Electric drain snake | Deeper internal and sewer lines | Hair, wipes, compacted waste | Professional |
| Hydro jetter | Kitchen, sewer and stormwater lines | Grease, sludge, silt, roots | Professional |
| CCTV drain camera | Diagnosis and checking the result | Any, finds the cause and location | Professional |
| Root cutter | Sewer lines | Tree root intrusion | Professional |
| Pipe relining | Damaged pipes | Cracks, breaks, recurring root entry | Professional |
What Acid Do Plumbers Use to Clear Blocked Drains?
Some plumbers use strong acid-based drain cleaners containing sulfuric or hydrochloric acid for severe blockages. Because these acids can damage pipes and cause burns and toxic fumes, most plumbers prefer mechanical methods like hydro jetting and drain snaking, and homeowners should never use industrial acids themselves.
When acid is used, it’s in specific situations, such as a stubborn organic blockage that mechanical tools can’t reach, and always with protective equipment. The risks include:
- Pipe damage: strong acids can eat into older metal pipes and weaken joints and seals.
- Toxic fumes: acids react with other chemicals in the drain and can release dangerous gases.
- Burns: splashback can cause serious skin and eye injuries.
- Incomplete results: acid can burn a hole through a blockage without removing it, so it comes back.
That’s why most plumbers, including our team, clear drains with CCTV-guided snaking and hydro jetting instead. It removes the blockage completely and cleans the pipe without the risks.
Safety note: never use industrial-strength acids at home, and never mix different drain cleaners.
How to Clear Blocked Drains at Home (Before You Call a Plumber)
You can often clear a minor blockage at home with a plunger, boiling water, or baking soda and vinegar, or by cleaning out the trap under the sink. Try these simple fixes first.
Boiling water
Pouring a kettle of hot water slowly down the drain can soften and shift minor grease buildup in kitchen sinks. Don’t pour boiling water into toilets or down drains with PVC pipe joints, as it can crack porcelain and soften plastic.
Baking soda and vinegar
Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. Cover the plughole, leave it for 15–30 minutes, then flush with hot water. This is best as a gentle maintenance clean rather than a fix for a serious blockage.
Using a plunger properly
- Use a cup plunger for sinks and a flange plunger for toilets.
- Cover the overflow hole in a sink or basin with a damp cloth so the pressure goes down the pipe.
- Make sure there’s enough water to cover the rubber cup.
- Push and pull firmly 15–20 times, keeping the seal in place, then check whether the water drains.
Removing and cleaning the P-trap or bottle trap
The curved pipe under a sink or basin catches hair, food and debris. Put a bucket underneath, unscrew the trap by hand, clean it out, then refit it firmly and run the tap to check for leaks.
Store-bought drain cleaners
Supermarket chemical drain cleaners can clear light clogs, but use them carefully. Always follow the label, wear gloves, keep the area ventilated and never mix products. Don’t use them if the drain is completely blocked, as the chemical can sit in the pipe and cause damage. Enzyme-based cleaners are a gentler option for regular maintenance.
How to clear blocked drains inside the house
- Kitchen sink: scoop out standing water, then try hot water and a plunger. Grease is the usual culprit.
- Bathroom basin: pull out and clean the pop-up plug, where hair and soap collect, then clean the bottle trap.
- Shower: lift the grate and pull hair out with gloves or a cheap plastic drain-clearing strip.
- Toilet: use a flange plunger. Never use boiling water or strong chemicals. If the water keeps rising, stop flushing and call a plumber.
When Should You Call a Plumber for a Clogged Drain?
Call a plumber when DIY methods haven’t worked, the blockage keeps coming back, or there are signs the problem is in your main sewer line. Call straight away if:
- DIY methods haven’t worked after one or two tries
- The same drain keeps blocking up
- Several drains are blocked at once
- You can smell sewage or waste water is backing up
- Water or sewage is coming out of the overflow relief gully (ORG)
- You suspect tree roots or a broken pipe
Ignoring these signs can lead to sewage overflows, water damage and a bigger repair bill.
Who is responsible for blocked sewer pipes in South Australia?
In South Australia, the property owner is responsible for sewer pipes on their property, and SA Water is responsible for its own sewer network. SA Water advises that if you have a sewer blockage in the pipes on your property, you should contact a licensed plumber to investigate.
If your plumber finds the blockage is in SA Water’s infrastructure, they will contact SA Water to have it fixed. Plumbers can also claim back the cost of the investigation from SA Water in that case, so you won’t be out of pocket for a problem in SA Water’s pipes.
Blocked drain in South Adelaide? Book South Adelaide PG for fast, camera-guided blocked drain clearing.
Are Blocked Drains Covered by Insurance?
Most Australian home insurance policies cover sudden water damage caused by a blocked or burst drain, but not the cost of clearing the blockage itself. Damage from tree roots, gradual wear and poor maintenance is often excluded, so check your policy’s PDS and keep your plumber’s report and CCTV footage.
To give yourself the best chance with a claim:
- Read your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to see what’s covered and what’s excluded.
- Act quickly. Insurers may reject claims where a known problem was left to get worse.
- Keep evidence. A written report from your plumber and CCTV drain camera footage show the cause and location of the blockage.
- Take photos of any water damage before cleaning up.
Every policy is different. Check with your insurer about your specific cover.
How to Prevent Blocked Drains
The best way to prevent blocked drains is to keep grease, wipes and debris out of your pipes, and have your drains checked regularly.
- Keep fats, oils and grease out of the sink. Let them cool, then wipe them into the bin with a paper towel.
- Use drain strainers and hair catchers in kitchen sinks, showers and basins.
- Only flush the 3 Ps: pee, poo and (toilet) paper. Wet wipes, even “flushable” ones, go in the bin.
- Flush drains with hot water regularly to stop buildup forming.
- Plan trees around your sewer line. Avoid planting trees with aggressive roots near sewer pipes, or ask a plumber where your pipes run before you landscape.
- Book regular drain inspections or maintenance jetting, especially in older homes or if you’ve had tree root problems before.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do plumbers use to unblock drains?
Plumbers use a CCTV drain camera to find the blockage, then clear it with the right tool for the job. That’s usually an electric drain snake for hair and wipes, a high-pressure hydro jetter for grease and sludge, or a root cutter for tree roots. Plungers and hand augers are used for minor clogs.
How long does it take a plumber to clear a blocked drain?
Most blocked drains are cleared in 30 minutes to two hours. A simple sink or toilet blockage can take less than an hour. A main sewer line blocked by tree roots, or a job that needs CCTV inspection and hydro jetting, can take longer. Damaged pipes may need a return visit for repairs.
Can a blocked drain fix itself?
A blocked drain rarely fixes itself. Hot water may occasionally shift a very minor clog, but most blockages from grease, hair, wipes or tree roots get worse over time. Leaving a blockage can lead to sewage overflows, bad smells and pipe damage, so it’s best to deal with it early.
What is the best thing to use for blocked drains?
For minor blockages, a plunger is the safest and most effective first step, followed by hot water or baking soda and vinegar. Avoid harsh chemical and acid drain cleaners, as they can damage pipes. For stubborn or recurring blockages, professional hydro jetting is the most effective way to clear and clean the pipe.
How much does it cost to clear a blocked drain in Adelaide?
The cost to clear a blocked drain in Adelaide depends on the cause, where the blockage is and the method needed. At South Adelaide PG, blocked drain callouts start from a $220 minimum charge, which covers the first 60 minutes on site, then $55 for each extra 20 minutes. See our blocked drain services and pricing for full details.
Blocked Drain in South Adelaide? We Can Help
Clearing a blocked drain properly comes down to three things: diagnose the cause with a CCTV camera, clear it with the right tool, and take simple steps to stop it coming back. Small clogs can often be fixed at home, but recurring blockages, several blocked drains or water from your ORG need a professional.
We clear blocked drains across southern Adelaide, including Morphett Vale, Reynella, Aberfoyle Park, Christies Beach, Seaford and McLaren Vale. See all the areas we cover on our blocked drains in Onkaparinga suburbs page.
Blocked drain in South Adelaide? Call South Adelaide PG for fast, camera-guided drain clearing. Book our blocked drains service today.
