Blocked drains

sorted for good

Blocked drains don’t happen for no reason. Understanding the cause is the difference between a permanent fix and temporary one. Here are the most common culpurits

• Tree Roots – the number one cause of serious drain blockages in Australia. Tree roots are relentless — they chase moisture, find microscopic cracks in pipes, and work their way inside. Once in, they grow. They wrap around the pipe, catch debris, and eventually cause a full blockage — or worse, crush the pipe from the outside. Jetting will clear the blockage, but the roots will be back. If roots are the cause, the underlying pipe damage needs to be addressed.
• Grease and fat build up – Kitchen drains are particularly vulnerable. Cooking oils and fats don’t flush away — they cool, solidify, and cling to the inside of pipes. Over time, this builds up into a thick, stubborn lining that eventually stops flow completely. It’s common in domestic kitchens and a significant problem in commercial food preparation environments.
• Foreign Objects – Wet wipes — even the ones labelled “flushable” — don’t break down. Neither do cotton buds, nappies, sanitary items, hair, or bars of soap pushed down a drain. These either cause an immediate blockage or travel further into the system and create problems downstream.
• Building and Renovation Work – One of the most frustrating (and avoidable) causes of blocked drains. Grout, concrete, paint, and plaster waste poured down drains or into overflow gullies during renovation work can set hard and cause serious, expensive blockages. If you’ve recently had trades on site and your drainage has gone backwards, this is worth investigating.
• Collapsed or Dislocated Pipes – Older pipes — particularly clay or terracotta in established properties — can crack, shift, or partially collapse over time. The pipe itself becomes the blockage. Jetting will temporarily clear it, but the structural issue won’t go away on its own.