Drain Clearing Methods Compared
The method your plumber uses depends on the blockage type, location, and severity. Here is how the three main approaches compare.
Electric eels use a motor-driven steel cable with a cutting head that spins and feeds into the pipe, breaking apart soft blockages on contact. They are fast and affordable for internal drains but lose cutting force the further the cable travels, typically becoming ineffective past 20 metres.
High-pressure water jetters pump water at 3,000–5,000 PSI through a hose with forward-facing and rear-facing nozzles, cutting through roots and flushing debris out of the pipe. A jetter can reach up to 60 metres and maintains full effectiveness along its entire length, making it the standard tool for sewer and stormwater lines. Professional units from brands like Ridgid (KJ-3100 series) and Rioned range from compact electric models for internal drains to trailer-mounted petrol units for main sewer lines.
CCTV cameras are pushed or self-propelled through the pipe, transmitting live video to a monitor. Professional systems like the Ridgid SeeSnake range ($7,000–$13,500 for the unit) allow the plumber to record footage, mark distances, and generate a report showing exactly where damage or root intrusion occurs. This footage is the basis for quoting any pipe repair or relining work.
Signs You Have a Blocked Drain
Not every slow drain is a full blockage, but these indicators suggest professional attention is needed:
Multiple fixtures draining slowly at once. When the shower, basin, and toilet are all sluggish, the blockage is in the main sewer line, not individual traps.
Gurgling sounds from drains. Air trapped behind a partial blockage causes gurgling when water passes through nearby pipes.
Sewage smell from floor wastes or outdoor grates. Blocked sewer lines cause gases to escape through the nearest opening.
Water backing up into the shower or bath when the toilet is flushed. A clear sign the main sewer line is obstructed.
Overflow at the relief gully (ORG) outside. The ORG is designed to overflow outdoors rather than inside the house. If it is overflowing, the sewer line downstream is blocked.
Wet patches or unusually green grass over the sewer line. A leaking or broken pipe feeds moisture and nutrients into the surrounding soil.
A single slow sink drain is usually an internal trap issue (hair, grease) that may respond to a plunger. If multiple drains are affected or sewage is involved, call a licensed plumber.
Avoid chemical drain cleaners. They are ineffective against the most common causes of blocked drains in Australia (tree roots, collapsed pipes, silt) and can damage PVC and clay pipe joints. They also create a chemical hazard for the plumber who attends next.
What Affects the Cost
Clearing method. Rod or eel clearing is the cheapest option ($100–$300). High-pressure jetting costs more ($300–$600). CCTV inspection adds a diagnostic layer ($250–$550).
Blockage location. Kitchen and bathroom drains inside the house are simpler than deep sewer or stormwater lines running 20–30+ metres to the property boundary.
Cause of blockage. Grease and hair clear in 30–45 minutes. Tree root intrusion or collapsed pipes require extended jetting time and often CCTV to assess the damage.
Pipe material and age. Pre-1980 clay (earthenware) pipes have joints every 600mm that deteriorate over time, creating entry points for roots and soil. PVC pipes (standard from the mid-1980s onward) have fewer and tighter joints.
Recurrence. Repeat blockages within 6–12 months almost always indicate a structural problem: bellied pipe, separated joints, or root-damaged sections that clearing alone will not fix.
Access to drainage points. Clear, accessible overflow relief gullies and inspection openings speed the job. Buried, concreted-over, or hard-to-find access points add time and cost.
Stormwater vs sewer. Stormwater blockages often involve longer pipe runs with more bends and outdoor debris accumulation.
A grease blockage in a kitchen drain cleared with an electric eel in a newer property sits toward $100. Recurring root intrusion in a 30-metre sewer line requiring high-pressure jetting plus CCTV investigation in a pre-1970 property with clay pipes pushes toward $850.
Blocked drains frequently become urgent, especially when sewage is backing up or multiple fixtures are affected. For a separate burst or leaking pipe repair, allow $200–$2,200 per job as the standard repair range; see our burst pipe repair guide for the scope. After-hours, weekend, and public holiday callouts carry significant premium rates. If only one drain is slow and there is no sewage overflow, scheduling a business-hours appointment saves money. If sewage is backing up into showers or floor wastes, call immediately.
When Clearing Is Not Enough: Pipe Relining
If CCTV inspection reveals cracked joints, root-damaged sections, or a bellied pipe, your plumber will likely recommend relining rather than excavation. Pipe relining involves pulling a resin-coated flexible liner through the existing pipe, inflating it against the pipe walls, and curing it to form a smooth, joint-free internal surface.
Brands like Brawoliner (German-manufactured inversion lining) and Nuflow (Australian franchise network, 50-year warranty) are widely used. Relining avoids the need to excavate driveways, gardens, or building slabs, making it the preferred option when the existing pipe is structurally sound enough to support a liner.
A good plumber will show you the CCTV footage, explain what the camera reveals, and give you the option to clear-only for immediate relief or proceed with relining for a long-term fix. Relining is a separate quote from the initial drain clearing.
City and Regional Price Comparison
Drain clearing costs vary across Australian capitals, driven by tree cover, pipe age, soil type, and the size of the local trade labour pool.
City-level differences. Sydney pricing serves as the baseline at $100–$850 per job. Melbourne rates are similar, with older inner-city properties frequently needing jetting due to clay pipe root intrusion from mature elms and plane trees. Brisbane sees higher stormwater blockage rates from subtropical rainfall and year-round root growth but generally comparable labour costs. Smaller trade pools in Perth and Adelaide can affect plumber availability and drain clearing quotes. Perth's sandy soils add a unique challenge: pipes settle and separate at joints more readily than in clay or loam soils.
Suburb and regional variation. Within any city, cost depends on pipe material, tree proximity, and access difficulty. Inner suburbs with mature trees and pre-1980 clay pipes, like Melbourne's Hawthorn, Sydney's Lane Cove, or Adelaide's Unley, sit toward the high end because root intrusion is near-certain and jetting is usually required. Newer estates with PVC drainage and minimal tree cover, like Brisbane's North Lakes, Perth's Baldivis, or Melbourne's Craigieburn, trend toward the low end. Properties with buried or concreted-over inspection openings add cost regardless of location because the plumber must locate and expose them before work can begin.
Utility boundaries matter. Each city has a different water utility responsible for the sewer main: Sydney Water (NSW), Yarra Valley Water / South East Water / Greater Western Water (VIC), Queensland Urban Utilities (QLD), Water Corporation (WA), and SA Water (SA). If multiple properties are affected or the overflow is at a utility manhole, it is likely a main sewer issue. Report it to your water utility before paying for private plumbing. Main sewer blockages are cleared at no cost to the property owner.
How We Calculate
Estimates are based on current licenced plumber rates in each capital, adjusted for regional labour costs, typical property age, and common drainage infrastructure. All figures include GST. Prices cover standard residential drain clearing. Commercial properties, multi-unit complexes, or council drainage issues may fall outside these ranges.