A blocked sewer pipe is more than an inconvenience. If not fixed quickly, it can become a messy and expensive problem.
If you notice slow drains, gurgling sounds, bad smells, or sewage coming back into your home, you probably have a sewer blockage. Leaving it untreated increases the risk of property damage, health issues, and expensive repairs.
Fortunately, it’s not the end of the world. Most sewer blockages can be resolved quickly and effectively by an experienced plumber using the right equipment.
We’ll explain what causes sewer blockages in this guide, how they’re cleared, and the most effective long-term solutions available.
What Causes Sewer Blockages?
Your home’s sewer system is designed to carry wastewater safely away from your property. Over time, however, various factors can restrict or completely block the flow.
Some of the most common causes of a sewer drain clog include:
Tree roots are invading underground pipes.
Fat, grease and oil build-up
Flushing wipes and other non-flushable items
Cracked, broken or collapsed pipes
Sediment and debris accumulation
Some blockages build up slowly over time, while others can happen suddenly and cause emergency drain blockages and sewage backflow into the property.
Warning Signs You Need Sewer Blockage Removal
Many homeowners don’t notice there’s an issue until sewage starts backing up inside the house.
Watch out for these common signs:
Multiple drains are becoming slow simultaneously.Toilets, showers or sinks making gurgling sounds.Water is backing up into the floor wastes.Strong sewer odours around the propertyOverflowing inspection openingsSewage appearing in showers, toilets or drains
If you notice any of these issues, it’s important to act quickly. Early intervention can often prevent extensive damage and more expensive repairs.
How Professionals Clear Blocked Sewer Pipes
High-Pressure Water Jetting
The fastest and most effective way of unblocking sewer pipes is high-pressure water jetting. Unlike basic drain snakes that simply punch a hole through the blockage, water jetting thoroughly cleans the inside of the pipe by removing:
Grease and fat depositsTree rootsSludge and sedimentGeneral debris
This leaves the pipe cleaner and freely flowing, reducing the likelihood of future blockages.
CCTV Pipe Inspection
Often, clearing the blockage alone isn’t enough. If the cause isn’t found and fixed, the problem can keep coming back and turn into a money pit. That’s why we recommend a CCTV pipe inspection to find the real issue and fix it once and for all.
We use advanced camera technology to inspect the inside of your sewer line to identify accurately:
Tree root intrusionCracked or broken pipesPipe collapsesMisaligned jointsRecurring blockage points
With a CCTV inspection, there’s no guesswork, just clear answers and the right solution for your property.
Sewer Pipe Relining
In some cases, clearing a blocked sewer pipe is only a temporary fix. If the pipe is cracked, damaged, misaligned, or repeatedly invaded by tree roots, the blockage is likely to return. That’s where sewer pipe relining can provide a long-term solution.
Sewer pipe relining repairs damaged pipes from the inside without the need for major excavation. A durable liner is inserted into the existing pipe and cured in place, creating a new pipe within the old one.
Pipe relining can help address:
Cracked or broken sewer pipes
Tree root intrusion
Leaking pipe joints
Corroded or deteriorating pipes
Recurring sewer blockages caused by pipe defects
Sewer Pipe Relining: The Modern Alternative to Digging Up Your Yard
Traditionally, fixing a damaged sewer pipe meant digging up large sections of your property, something most homeowners understandably cringe at the idea of.
Nowadays, sewer pipe relining allows damaged pipes to be repaired from the inside without major excavation. No ripped off yard, no mess!
Benefits include:
No major digging or excavation
Faster completion times
Long-lasting results
Prevention of future root intrusion
Protection of driveways, landscaping and gardens
For many homeowners, sewer pipe relining is a long-lasting fix that avoids the mess and high cost of digging up and replacing pipes.
How Much Does Pipe Relining Cost?
One of the most common questions we receive is about pipe relining cost.
The cost will vary depending on factors such as:
The length of the pipe requiring repairPipe size and accessibilityThe severity of the damageThe number of junctions involved
Whilst relining may involve a larger upfront investment than a simple blockage clearing, it often saves thousands of dollars in future repairs and excavation costs.
Following a CCTV pipe inspection, we can provide tailored recommendations and an accurate quote based on your property’s specific requirements.
Don’t Ignore a Sewer Blockage
A blocked sewer pipe usually won’t clear on its own. In fact, the longer you leave it, the more expensive the repair can become.
If you notice early signs of a sewage blockage, it’s best to get it checked straight away. Services like CCTV pipe inspections, high-pressure water jetting, and pipe relining can quickly identify the problem and fix it before it gets worse.
Whether it’s recurring blockages, a sewer drain pipe clogged by tree roots, or a fully blocked sewer line, an experienced team can quickly identify the cause and get things flowing again.
Need help with a blocked sewer pipe?
If your drains are backing up, your sewer drain pipe is clogged, or you’re dealing with ongoing issues, get in touch with our team.
We offer fast sewer blockage removal, CCTV inspections, and pipe relining to fix the problem properly with minimal disruption to your property.
Call us now at 1300 844 353 or email us at [email protected].
Let’s say goodbye to sewer blockage once and for all -call us now!
