Precision Plumbing

PRECISION PLUMBING mill park

Blocked Drains

Tree roots and accumulated debris are common causes of blocked drains, and ignoring them can result in significant plumbing damage.

Our high-tech CCTV drain inspection tools allow us to locate blockages with near-millimetre precision.

Precision Plumbing uses a high-pressure jetting machine to break through even the toughest blockages—quickly, cleanly, and affordably.

Blocked Drains mill park

What Makes Precision Plumbing the Right Choice for Blocked Drains?

Advanced CCTV Drain Camera Inspection

We use advanced CCTV and location tools to accurately pinpoint where the blockage is.

Clear all blockages

We have the expertise to clear all tree roots and stubborn blockages.

Fix with minimal mess

Blocked or broken pipes are resolved with minimal disruption and at a highly competitive rate.

How to Tell If You Have a Blocked Drain

Your home or business has a plumbing and drainage system with a combination of pipes and drains. Pipes carry clean water into the building, meanwhile drains and other pipes carry wastewater away to a septic tank or sewerage facility.

The signs of a blocked drain or pipe can vary based on a number of factors. We recommend seeking out professional assistance if you notice one or more of these signs:

  • Noticeably slow drainage from basins, showers, or bathtubs.
  • Strange gurgling noises when water is flowing. These noises are often caused by the trapped air bubbles created by a blockage.
  • Unpleasant smells, particularly near sinks or pipes connected to your drain. These smells may mean a drain or pipe is clogged with grease, waste, or bits of food.
  • Overflowing or weak-flushing toilets, which can indicate a clog in either the toilet or main drain line.
  • Pooling water indoors or outdoors near drains, suggesting that proper water flow is being obstructed.

The sooner you reach out, the better we can identify the issue and reduce the risk of serious blockages or long-term water damage.

What Causes Blocked Drains?

Even if you’ve noticed signs of a blocked drain, you might not be certain about what caused it.

Blocked drains often occur due to one or more of the following factors:

  • Tree roots, leaves, and twigs often enter underground drains—roots seek out moisture, while leaves and twigs wash in from gutters and downpipes.
  • Grease, fats, and cooking oils harden inside pipes, forming blockages that slow or stop water flow.
  • A buildup of hair and debris in bathroom pipes and drains, especially sinks and showers.
  • Improper disposal of kitchen scraps like food bits and coffee grounds can lead to blockages.
  • Soap scum and residue can build up in pipes, particularly when these substances mix with minerals in the water and solidify.
  • Flushing non-disposable items such as wipes, sanitary products, and small objects can easily lead to clogs.
  • Cracked or misaligned pipes can trap solids, increasing the risk of frequent blockages.
  • Sometimes, poor workmanship from plumbers is to blame. If an incorrectly sized or positioned pipe is installed, the flowing water will catch on solid materials and create a blockage.

What causes a blockage can differ based on whether the property is a home or a commercial building.

Common residential plumbing problems often involve low-flow toilets and the accumulation of soap scum and hair.

Commercial and industrial buildings commonly experience drain issues from grease buildup in food service areas and the disposal of non-flushable items such as sanitary products.

Ways to Prevent Drain Blockages

There are many ways of preventing future blockages, including:

Keeping your drains clean with routine maintenance, ideally through an annual check-up, helps ensure long-term plumbing health.

The responsible disposal of waste. Where possible, avoid pouring or flushing grease, food scraps, fallen hair, toiletries, or other foreign objects down drains and pipes.

Installing a strainer or gutter guard helps block leaves, roots, and debris from entering your drains and causing major clogs.

Hot Water mill park

When Should You Call a Licensed Plumber?

It’s a common question: should you try to unblock the drain yourself, or is it best left to a professional plumber?

There are a few DIY steps you can try, particularly if the blockage is caused by a buildup of materials from inside your home or business. For instance, you may be able to use warm water and vinegar to clear grease and fat, or hot water and bleach to clear hair and toiletries.

If the appropriate DIY methods aren’t working, or if you are in doubt, we highly advise contacting plumbing industry professionals. The benefits of using a professional plumber include:

  • Their advanced locating and clearing tools and technology. With specialised tools like CCTV cameras and hydro-jet equipment, plumbers can quickly zone in on the problem and save everyone time and effort.
  • Licensed and highly skilled, plumbers are trained to manage various blockages in different environments with confidence and precision.
  • Their comprehensive service. Plumbers have the ability to diagnose the underlying issue, prevent recurring problems, and avoid further damage, or fix any broken drains or pipes.
  • And let’s not forget personal safety. Plumbers have the training needed to handle blockages that involve hazardous materials or sewerage lines and facilities.

In the end, fixing a drain yourself can take more time and money than expected—and may even lead to more damage. Choosing a professional plumber ensures faster, more precise, and budget-friendly results.

We’re committed to providing high-quality service at Precision Plumbing, fully compliant with commercial plumbing needs. Whether it’s a blockage, burst pipe, or another issue, our team is here to assist.

blocked drain repair

Drain clearing experts in Mill Park, VIC and nearby suburbs

If you’re experiencing plumbing problems, including blocked drains and pipes, give us a call at Precision Plumbing. We proudly provide a wide range of plumbing repair and maintenance services for residential and commercial clients across Melbourne’s Northern Suburbs.

No job is too big or too small for our skilled, licensed plumbers. We pride ourselves on offering dependable, honest service with straightforward, competitive pricing.