You've found yourself standing ankle-deep in the shower and the toilet is glug-glugging away like it's ready to brew tea. Living in Sydney with its mix of old terraces, modern developments, and leafy laneways, we've all been there at some point. This handy guide aims to cut through the confusion, with a look at what causes a sewer blockage, what you can attempt yourself, and when to call in a professional plumber.

Getting Started With Clearing Blocked Sewer Pipes in Sydney

There's a strange mix of pipes affecting Sydney. Some of the North Shore and inner west suburbs still use earthenware pipes, which break as the ground settles and tree roots are drawn in where they break to get to moisture and then grow. Inside, as you'd expect, it's a build-up of grease from the kitchen, soap scum and hair from bathrooms and flushable wet wipes that don't actually flush properly.

As property owners are responsible for their sewer service from their home all the way to where it connects, Sydney Water will only clear blockages in the main lines.

Common Signs You Should Not Ignore

• Slow sinks in multiple rooms.

• Your gurgles whenever you flush your washing machine.

• Lingering odours of the sewer nearby your floor wastes and gullies.

• Water floods out your showers whenever you flush.

When To Call A Licensed Pro In Sydney

If the problem extends to several fixtures, if you notice any sewage coming up, or if you're dealing with frequent clogging in a drain, it's best to call an expert. They use the CCTV drain inspection to figure out the exact location of the problem, and then blast it out with a high-pressure jet washer that breaks up grease or roots with a force that avoids any need to dig. Where the pipes have been damaged and root ingress has occurred, no-dig pipe relining can provide a permanent solution.

Depending on the problem and your location around the city, a job will set you back between $150 and $1,500+. Search for an accredited and licensed plumber that quotes in advance, shows you evidence and issues compliance certificates.

Towards the final stages of your plumber hunt, Emergency Drains is a worthwhile choice, offering $0 call-out fees, complimentary CCTV with every job and a 30-year relining guarantee with experts unblocking drains in Sydney for strata properties and individual homes.

Final Checklist

So what are you waiting for?! Catch your drain's early signs, keep fats and wet wipes from entering your plumbing, and maintain it with strainers and hot flushes. If all else fails and your plumbing efforts haven't paid off, get evidence of your blockage via CCTV and jetting, and then get in touch with us to reline your drain. Once a sewer relining project is undertaken correctly, clearing blocked sewer pipes​ in Sydney shouldn't be a yearly event!