Blocked drains on the Northern Beaches
Tell us which drain is blocked and what happens when you use it. We assess the problem and explain the options.
You decide after seeing a clear written price for the work.
Signs your drain is blocked
- Water draining slowly from the sink, shower or bath
- Gurgling from the plughole or toilet
- A sewer smell inside or out
- Water pooling around the outside drain grate
What usually causes it
- Wet wipes and paper towels
- Hair and cotton buds
- Fats and oils poured down the sink
- Roots getting in through cracks
Older pipes around the beaches
Many older homes around the beaches still have clay, or terracotta, sewer pipes. Roots can crack into them.
If your drain in Newport or Avalon keeps blocking, we assess the pipe and discuss whether roots could be involved.
Your pipe or Sydney Water's?
Sydney Water maintains its wastewater network. Your private pipes run from the house up to where they join it.
An overflow beyond your boundary, neighbours with the same problem, or water coming up when nothing is running all point to their side. If unsure, check with Sydney Water.
Price guide
Blocked drain clearing
Quoted after a look
Guide only, inc GST. Your fixed written price comes after we take a look.
Free Drain Check
Free
Guide only. Initial guidance from your description or a photo link. Inspections and work are priced separately.
From first message to job done
- Describe your drain problem in about 2 minutes
- Expect our reply within 30 minutes
- A fast, clear written price, often from photos rather than a visit
- Pick a booking time that works for you
- Drain job finished. Sorted.
What changes the cost
- Where the problem sits along the pipe
- How easy the pipe is to get to
- What we find when assessing the problem
- What the blockage is made of
- Any repair found, priced separately
Guide only. Your fixed written price comes after we take a look.
Questions people ask us
Is it my pipe or Sydney Water's?
Sydney Water maintains its wastewater network. You look after the private pipes from your property up to where they join that network.
It may be on their side if the overflow is beyond your boundary, your neighbours have the same problem, or it keeps overflowing when no water is being used.
If unsure, check with Sydney Water whether the blockage could be in its network.
Can you come today?
Choose Today in the form and we will reply within 30 minutes to check availability with you.
We confirm availability when we reply, so we never promise an arrival time before that.
What can I flush?
Toilet paper and what the toilet is for. That is it.
Wet wipes, paper towels, hair and cotton buds cause blockages. Fats and oils down the sink do too, so scrape pans into the bin.
What does a camera check show?
A camera inspection can help locate roots, cracks, built-up fat or something stuck inside a pipe.
For an older home in Newport with a clay sewer pipe, it may help assess possible cracks or roots.
It is a separate service to discuss when needed, not a free check included with every job.
How much does it cost?
Pipe relining is from around $3,000 inc GST. Blocked drains and our other services are quoted after a look.
Guide only. Your fixed written price comes before any repair starts.
Why does the drain smell after rain?
Sydney Water says heavy rain can overload the wastewater system. If your drain in Dee Why or Narrabeen only plays up after rain, tell us that when you get in touch.
A crack or partial blockage in your own pipe can do the same. If it keeps happening, describe when it occurs so we can discuss the next steps.
Stormwater follows a different route from private drains to street gutters and out to beaches, creeks and lagoons, including Narrabeen, Dee Why and Manly lagoons.
Get a fast quote
A few details is all we need. We'll be in touch within 30 minutes.