Restore cracked or root-infiltrated sewer pipes from the inside. No excavation. From $500 per metre.
Blocked Drain Emergency - 60 Min Response Time
Blocked Drains Services for Residential Properties Sydney
EKORP Plumbing (Licence 322223C) clears blocked drains across Sydney’s St George and Sutherland Shire, including Hurstville, Kogarah, Cronulla, Miranda, and Caringbah. We diagnose every blockage with a RIDGID SeeSnake CCTV drain camera, then clear it using a Jetset HD high-pressure water jetter. Same-day service runs Monday to Sunday with no call-out fee when we complete the work. For sewage overflows or drains backing up into the home, we respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 02 8667 5354.
Same-Day Mon–Sun
24/7 Emergency Response
$0 Call-Out Fee
RIDGID SeeSnake CCTV Camera
Lic 322223C
Emergency Response Available Now
Blocked Drain Emergency?
Experiencing a blocked drain emergency in Sydney? Our plumbers can be at your door in under 60 minutes.
Same-Day Service
24/7 emergency callouts for blocked drains, sewage backups and overflows.
Local Experts
Based in the St George area. We service Hurstville, Kogarah, Cronulla, Miranda and surrounds.
60 Min Response
Priority dispatch and fully stocked vans to fix most issues on the first visit.
Warning Signs
Signs You Have a Blocked Drain
Most blocked drains give warning before they overflow. These are the signs worth acting on early.
01
Sign 01
Slow draining
Water sitting in the sink, shower, or bath longer than it should. A partial blockage restricts flow before it stops completely.
02
Sign 02
Gurgling sounds
Air trapped behind a blockage makes a gurgling noise as water pushes past. You'll usually hear it from the toilet or floor waste when water drains elsewhere in the house.
03
Sign 03
Foul smell
A bad smell from drains points to decomposing waste trapped in the pipe. Sewage odours inside the home are a health hazard and need attention that day.
04
Sign 04
Water backing up
Water coming up through a floor drain, shower, or toilet when you flush or run water elsewhere in the house. This points to a blockage further down the main sewer line.
05
Sign 05
High toilet water level
Toilet water rising higher than normal after flushing, or draining slowly. Stop flushing and call us to inspect the sewer main before it overflows.
06
Sign 06
Wet patches in the yard
Lush grass, soggy ground, or sunken areas in the yard when there's been no rain. These can point to a cracked sewer line or tree root infiltration underground.
Causes
Common Causes of Blocked Drains in Sydney Homes
Blocked drains are one of the most common plumbing issues faced by homeowners in the Sutherland Shire, St George, and Georges River areas. Understanding what causes blocked drains can help you prevent them in the future. Common causes include:
Hair Accumulation
Hair is a major culprit for bathroom drain blockages. Over time, hair combines with soap scum to form stubborn clogs that restrict water flow. Our blocked drain plumbers use specialised tools to remove these tough blockages effectively.
Food Waste and Grease
Kitchen sinks often become blocked when food particles, cooking oils, and grease are washed down the drain. These substances solidify inside pipes, creating stubborn blockages that require professional drain plumbers to remove.
Foreign Objects
Children's toys, sanitary products, wet wipes, and other non-flushable items commonly cause toilet blockages. These require immediate attention from experienced blocked toilet plumbers to prevent overflow and water damage.
Tree Root Intrusion
In older Sydney properties, tree roots seeking moisture can infiltrate and block drain pipes, causing severe blockages. Our drain plumbers use specialised equipment to remove roots and restore proper flow.
Buildup of Minerals
Hard water deposits can gradually narrow pipes, eventually leading to blockages. Professional drain cleaning by qualified blocked drains plumbers can remove these deposits and extend the life of your plumbing system.
Services
Professional Blocked Drain Services We Offer
Camera in first. Clear the blockage. Fix the pipe if it’s damaged. The same approach on every job, from Kogarah to Cronulla.
01
Step One
CCTV Camera Inspection
We run a RIDGID SeeSnake camera through the drain to locate the exact position and nature of the blockage. You watch the footage on the monitor. We tell you what we're dealing with before we quote the fix. No guesswork, no unnecessary digging.
02
Step Two
High-Pressure Water Jetting
A Jetset HD high-pressure jetter blasts the blockage clear and scours the pipe walls clean. It cuts through tree roots, grease, silt, and wet wipes. Unlike a plunger or chemical cleaner, it clears the full bore of the pipe. Pricing runs $200–$450 depending on length and access.
03
Step Three
Pipe Relining (If Needed)
Where the blockage was caused by cracked or root-infiltrated clay pipe, we can reline from the inside. A resin-impregnated liner is cured in place to form a new pipe within the old one. No excavation. 50-year design life. From $500 per metre. We only recommend it when the camera confirms the pipe is damaged.
Why Choose Us
Why Choose EKORP for Blocked Drain Solutions
Local expertise, transparent pricing, and reliable service you can trust
Local Blocked Drains Plumbers
As local plumbers serving the Sutherland Shire, St George, and Georges River areas, we understand the specific plumbing challenges faced by homeowners in these regions. Our blocked drain plumbers near me can arrive quickly when you need help.
Transparent Pricing
We provide upfront quotes for all blocked drain services, with no hidden costs. Our fair pricing structure ensures you know exactly what you're paying for before work begins.
Long-term Solutions
Rather than quick fixes that lead to recurring problems, our drain plumbers focus on providing lasting solutions to your blocked drain issues. We address the root cause of blockages to prevent future occurrences.
Fully Equipped Vans
Our service vehicles come fully stocked with all the necessary equipment to handle any blocked drain situation on the spot. This means faster resolution of your plumbing emergency.
Licensed and Insured Professionals
All our blocked drains plumbers are fully licensed, insured, and trained in the latest drain clearing techniques, ensuring high-quality workmanship and complete peace of mind.
Pricing
Blocked Drain Cost Guide
Blocked drain prices in Sydney vary by job complexity. The ranges below are typical for St George and Sutherland Shire. Every job is quoted before we start, and there is no call-out fee when we complete the work.
| Service | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Drain clearing (standard blockage) | $150 – $400 |
| CCTV camera inspection (RIDGID SeeSnake) | $250 – $500 |
| High-pressure water jetting (Jetset HD) | $200 – $450 |
| Pipe relining (per metre, resin-cured liner) | From $500/m |
| After-hours or emergency callout | Quoted upfront |
Prices are indicative. Actual cost depends on blockage type, access, pipe depth, and any damage found on camera. EKORP Plumbing, Licence 322223C.
24/7 Service
Emergency Blocked Drains
Sewage overflows, flooding inside the property, and multiple fixtures backing up at once are emergencies. EKORP responds 24 hours a day, 7 days a week across St George and Sutherland Shire, including Cronulla, Miranda, Sutherland, Hurstville, and Rockdale.
After-hours rate confirmed before we start. No surprises.
Prevention
Preventative Measures for Residential Drains
You can’t stop roots from growing or clay pipes from ageing. A few consistent habits and one annual CCTV check cut the frequency of callouts significantly.
01
Keep grease out of the drain
Let cooking fat cool, then put it in the bin. Never pour it down the sink, even with hot water running alongside it.
02
Use drain strainers
A strainer in the shower and kitchen sink catches hair and food scraps before they reach the pipe. Empty them regularly.
03
Only flush toilet paper
Wipes, cotton buds, paper towel, and sanitary products belong in the bin. Even products labelled "flushable" block drains.
04
Annual CCTV check for pre-1980 homes
Homes built before 1980 in Hurstville, Rockdale, Kogarah, and surrounding suburbs almost certainly have the original clay sewer lines. An annual RIDGID SeeSnake inspection finds root infiltration and cracks before they cause a full blockage.
05
Clear leaves from outdoor drains after rain
After a storm or autumn leaf fall, clear debris from stormwater grates and pits around the property before the next downpour arrives.
06
Know your tree species
Ficus, camphor laurel, or bottlebrush trees near the sewer easement? Ask us about root barrier options or a more frequent jetting interval to stay ahead of regrowth.
Service Area
Blocked Drain Clearing Across Southern Sydney
EKORP covers St George and Sutherland Shire for blocked drain clearing, CCTV inspection, high-pressure jetting, and pipe relining. Same-day and 24/7 emergency service runs across the full area. Our depot at 60–62 Alexander Ave, Taren Point NSW 2229 and our Brighton Le Sands base keep response times short.
- Kogarah
- Hurstville
- Bexley
- Rockdale
- Arncliffe
- Brighton Le Sands
- Penshurst
- Mortdale
- Oatley
- Peakhurst
Blakehurst · Sans Souci · Ramsgate
- Cronulla
- Miranda
- Caringbah
- Taren Point
- Sylvania
- Gymea
- Sutherland
- Engadine
- Kirrawee
Jannali · Loftus · Bangor
Quick Answers
Blocked Drain Fast Facts
Direct answers to the most common questions before you call.
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Quick Answer
How much does it cost to unblock a drain in Sydney?Standard blocked drain clearing in Sydney costs $150 to $400. CCTV camera inspection adds $250 to $500. High-pressure water jetting ranges from $200 to $450. Pipe relining starts at $500 per metre. EKORP provides a firm price before starting work and charges no call-out fee when we complete the job.
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Quick Answer
How long does it take to clear a blocked drain?Most blocked drain jobs in Sydney take 30 minutes to 2 hours. A straightforward grease or debris blockage cleared with high-pressure jetting is usually done within the hour. Jobs involving CCTV inspection and pipe relining take half a day to a full day depending on pipe length and access.
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Quick Answer
Can I unblock a drain myself?A plunger can clear minor sink or shower blockages caused by hair or soap scum. For sewer line blockages, recurring problems, gurgling sounds, multiple fixtures blocked at once, or any sewage odour, call a licensed plumber. DIY chemical cleaners and hose-jetting can damage clay and terracotta pipes common in older Sydney homes.
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Quick Answer
Do plumbers use cameras to find blocked drains?Yes. A CCTV drain camera is pushed through the pipe to locate the exact position and cause of the blockage before quoting the fix. It is the only reliable way to identify tree root infiltration, cracked pipes, or pipe collapse without digging. EKORP uses CCTV inspection on all jobs where the blockage source is not immediately obvious.
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Quick Answer
Is same-day blocked drain service available in Sydney?Yes. EKORP Plumbing provides same-day blocked drain service across St George and the Sutherland Shire, Monday to Sunday. For sewage overflows and emergency backups, we respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 02 8667 5354 to book.
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Quick Answer
Is pipe relining worth it for blocked drains?Pipe relining is worth it when CCTV confirms the pipe is cracked, collapsed, or heavily root-infiltrated. It avoids excavation, costs less than full pipe replacement, and carries a 50-year design life. For a pipe that is structurally sound but simply blocked, jetting alone is sufficient. EKORP will only recommend relining if the camera shows the pipe is damaged.
What to Avoid
Common Mistakes with Blocked Drains
A slow drain handled the wrong way usually ends with a relining quote. Here is what turns a $300 clearing job into a $3,000 repair.
01
Mistake 01
Using chemical drain cleaners
Caustic drain cleaners work by dissolving organic matter. They are mostly ineffective against tree roots, do not remove grease build-up from pipe walls, and cause accelerated corrosion in clay, terracotta, and PVC pipes. Repeated use can soften pipe joints and worsen existing cracks. For clay sewer lines common in older St George and Sutherland Shire homes, they often make the underlying problem worse.
02
Mistake 02
Repeatedly flushing during a sewage backup
When the sewer line is blocked and water is backing up into showers, baths, or floor wastes, continuing to flush or run taps forces more sewage into the property. Stop all water use immediately and call a plumber. Sewage inside a building is a Category 3 contamination event. The longer it sits, the more remediation is required.
03
Mistake 03
DIY jetting with a garden hose
A garden hose does not have sufficient pressure to clear a sewer blockage. What it can do is push a loose blockage deeper into the line, making it harder to reach. Consumer-grade electric pressure washers run at around 1,500 to 2,500 PSI. Professional sewer jetting equipment operates at 3,000 to 4,000 PSI with rotating nozzles designed to cut through roots without damaging pipe joints.
04
Mistake 04
Ignoring slow drains
A slow drain is a partial blockage. Left untreated, it becomes a complete blockage. In clay sewer lines with root infiltration, slow drainage means the roots are already inside the pipe and expanding. Clearing roots at the slow-drain stage costs a fraction of clearing them once the pipe has collapsed. Most customers who need pipe relining first noticed a slow drain months or years earlier.
05
Mistake 05
Assuming a cleared drain means the problem is solved
Jetting clears the blockage but does not fix the cause. Tree roots grow back within 3 to 12 months if the pipe crack that let them in is not repaired. A drain that blocks again within a year almost always has an underlying pipe defect. A post-clearing CCTV inspection confirms whether the pipe is intact or whether relining is needed to prevent recurrence.
06
Mistake 06
Using a plunger on a blocked sewer line
A plunger is appropriate for a blocked sink or toilet where the blockage is in the fixture trap. If multiple fixtures are backing up or there is sewage odour, the blockage is in the sewer main and a plunger cannot reach it. Applying force to a backed-up sewer line with a plunger can dislodge drain covers and force contaminated water up through other fixtures.
Method Comparison
Chemical Cleaners vs Professional Drain Clearing
For a blocked sewer line, the method matters. Chemical cleaners and plungers are sold as drain solutions but they do not clear tree roots or restore the full pipe bore. Here is how each option performs on Sydney’s most common drain problems.
| Criteria | Chemical Cleaner | Plunger (DIY) | Professional Jetting | Pipe Relining |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clears tree roots |
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| Clears grease build-up |
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|
|
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| Clears full pipe bore |
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|
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| Safe for clay/terracotta pipes |
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| Fixes underlying pipe damage |
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| Prevents recurrence |
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| Typical cost | $10 – $50 | $0 – $30 | $150 – $450 | From $500/m |
| Best for | Not recommended for sewer lines | Minor sink or basin blockage | Standard to severe blockages | Cracked or root-damaged pipes |
Summary
For any blockage beyond a minor household sink, professional high-pressure water jetting is the only method that fully clears the pipe. Chemical drain cleaners are not recommended for sewer lines and are particularly damaging to the clay and terracotta pipes in homes across St George and Sutherland Shire built before 1980. Pipe relining is only required when CCTV confirms the pipe is structurally damaged.
Why Act Early
What Happens If You Ignore a Blocked Drain
A blocked drain does not stay the same. Left untreated, it progresses through five stages. Each stage costs more to fix than the one before it.
The Bottom Line
Clearing a slow drain at Stage 1 costs $150 to $400. Excavation at Stage 5 can cost several thousand dollars before reinstatement. The problem does not resolve itself. Call EKORP Plumbing on 02 8667 5354 at the first sign of slow draining.
Expert Advice
Sydney Blocked Drain Specialist
This page was written and reviewed by a licensed NSW plumber with more than six years clearing blocked drains across St George and Sutherland Shire.
Emilio Kalotinis
Director and Licence Holder
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NSW Plumbing Licence 322223C
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Master Plumbers Association NSW (MPA NSW)
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Operating in St George and Sutherland Shire since 2018
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Blocked drains specialist: CCTV, jetting, pipe relining
Verify licence at fairtrading.nsw.gov.au · Search 322223C
From the Field
“Nine out of ten recurring blocked drains we see in older St George and Sutherland Shire homes have a cracked clay pipe underneath the blockage. The drain clears with jetting, then blocks again 6 to 12 months later. A camera after the first clearing would have shown the crack and saved the customer two or three repeat callout fees before they got to relining.”
Emilio Kalotinis, EKORP Plumbing
Why Credentials Matter
Plumbing is licensed work in NSW. A licensed contractor carries public liability insurance, is covered by the Home Building Compensation Fund, and can issue a Certificate of Compliance for notifiable plumbing work. Unlicensed drain clearing has no such protections. Check any plumber’s licence at NSW Fair Trading before booking.
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What Our Customers Say
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Blocked Drains
Common questions about blocked drain clearing in St George and Sutherland Shire, answered plainly.
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How much does it cost to unblock a drain in Sydney?
Plumbers in Sydney typically charge hourly rates that can vary based on the complexity of the job, the time of day, and whether it’s an emergency call-out. At EKORP Plumbing, we provide upfront fixed pricing rather than hourly rates, so you know exactly what you’ll pay before any work begins. Call us on 02 8667 5354 for a free quote.
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How long does it take to clear a blocked drain?
Most jobs take 30 minutes to 2 hours. A grease or debris blockage cleared with jetting is usually done within the hour. If CCTV inspection finds root infiltration or cracked clay pipe and relining is needed, allow half a day to a full day depending on the run length. We give you a time estimate once the camera has gone through.
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Can EKORP clear a blocked drain the same day?
Yes. Same-day blocked drain service runs Monday to Sunday across St George and Sutherland Shire, from Kogarah and Hurstville down to Cronulla and Engadine. For overflowing drains or sewage backing up into the home, we respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 02 8667 5354 to confirm availability and book.
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What causes blocked drains in Sydney homes?
In St George and Sutherland Shire, tree root infiltration is the single biggest cause. Ficus and bottlebrush roots push into hairline cracks in clay sewer lines, most often in suburbs like Bexley, Penshurst, Mortdale, and Oatley where large street trees run close to the sewer easement. Grease and fat buildup blocks kitchen drains, while wet wipes and sanitary products jam at bends in the sewer main. Homes built before 1980 frequently have the original clay or terracotta pipes, which crack and offset over time. After heavy rain, leaf litter and silt commonly block stormwater drains in low-lying areas near Georges River.
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Do I need a CCTV camera inspection for a blocked drain?
Not always. A simple grease or hair blockage in a kitchen or bathroom line can go straight to jetting without a camera. We recommend a CCTV inspection when the blockage keeps returning, when we suspect root infiltration or pipe damage, when we need to find a blockage deep in the main before quoting, or when you want a condition report on the sewer before buying a property. The RIDGID SeeSnake records footage you can keep.
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What is pipe relining and when is it needed?
Pipe relining creates a new pipe inside your existing damaged one, without digging up the yard. A resin-impregnated liner is pulled into position and cured in place, forming a structurally sound pipe with a 50-year design life. We recommend it when the CCTV camera confirms cracking, root infiltration, collapsed sections, or offset joints, which is common in the pre-1980 clay sewer lines found throughout Hurstville, Rockdale, and Kogarah. Pricing starts from $500 per metre. We only recommend relining when the footage shows the pipe actually needs it.
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Do you clear blocked drains at night or on weekends?
Yes. EKORP Plumbing operates 24/7 for emergency blocked drains across St George and Sutherland Shire, including nights, weekends, and public holidays. An after-hours rate applies and is confirmed before we start. There are no hidden extras. Call 02 8667 5354 at any time.
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Which suburbs does EKORP cover for blocked drain emergencies?
EKORP Plumbing covers all of St George and Sutherland Shire. In St George that includes Kogarah, Hurstville, Bexley, Rockdale, Arncliffe, Brighton Le Sands, Penshurst, Mortdale, Oatley, Blakehurst, and Sans Souci. In Sutherland Shire we service Sutherland, Cronulla, Miranda, Caringbah, Taren Point, Engadine, Heathcote, Gymea, Loftus, Sylvania, Kingsway, and Menai. Our depot at 60–62 Alexander Ave, Taren Point NSW 2229 and our Brighton Le Sands base put us within reach of the full service area, with emergency response times typically under 60 minutes.
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