A blocked drain can be cleared using one of 10 methods — starting with boiling water for a minor grease clog, through to CCTV camera inspection and pipe relining for serious or recurring blockages. This guide covers all 10 options in order of severity so you know exactly which one to try first, what each costs, and when to stop DIYing and call a licensed plumber.
Whether your kitchen sink is draining slowly, your shower is pooling, or a pipe is completely blocked deep underground — there is a solution below for your situation.
Signs of a Blocked Drain
Blocked drains rarely fail without warning. These are the early signs to watch for:
Foul or sewage smell coming from the drain
Water draining slowly in the sink, shower or tub
Gurgling or bubbling sounds when water goes down
Water pooling around the drain instead of flowing
Toilet bubbling when you use another fixture
The sooner you act, the cheaper and easier the fix. A minor clog cleared early with boiling water costs nothing. The same clog left for months may require a professional drain snake or hydro jetting.
Common Causes of Blocked Drains
Cooking Grease and Oils
Grease and oil cool and harden inside pipes, mixing with food scraps to form stubborn blockages. Never pour used oil or fatty water down the sink. Wipe pans with a paper towel first, then wash with warm soapy water. Let grease solidify in a jar and bin it.
Hair and Soap Scum
Long hair sheds every wash and tangles with soap residue inside shower and bathroom drains. Solid soap can also slip through and lodge in tight bends. This type of blockage builds fast — within weeks of a drain running clear. A mesh drain cover is the best prevention.
Tree Roots and Natural Debris
Tree roots infiltrate underground pipes through cracks and joins, especially in older clay or concrete pipes. Once inside, roots grow and branch until flow is completely blocked. Leaves, dirt and organic matter also accumulate in outdoor drains after rain. These blockages usually require professional equipment to clear.
10 Tips to Clear Any Blocked Drain
Got a blocked drain? These ten simple tips can help you sort it out, so grab your tools and get started!
Boiling water
Pour boiling water directly into the blocked drain. The heat melts grease and dissolves stubborn debris, making it easier to clear drains. This simple method works best for kitchen sink blockages caused by fats or oils.
Avoid pouring boiling water into PVC pipes. High heat can weaken or warp them, leading to more damage. Use this as a home remedy for clogged drains safely on metal pipes only.
Baking soda and vinegar
Mix 1 cup of bicarbonate of soda with 1 cup of vinegar. Pour the mixture down the clogged drain. It will fizz and bubble, breaking down grime and debris. Let it sit for 10 minutes to work its magic.
Flush the drain with hot water after the wait time. This helps push loosened clogs through the pipe. It’s a simple, eco-friendly way to unblock drains at home without harsh chemicals!
Use a plunger
A plunger works wonders to unblock a drain. It creates a strong vacuum effect that dislodges local blockages. Place the rubber cup over the blocked drain firmly, covering it fully.
Push down gently, then pull up quickly several times. This motion builds pressure to move the clog.
Plungers are cheap and easy to use. For better results, add water around the plunger’s base to seal air gaps. Whether it’s a blocked kitchen sink or clogged bathroom drain, this budget-friendly tool saves time and hassle!
DIY drain snake
Grab a metal coat hanger and straighten it. Bend one end to make a small hook. This DIY drain snake can pull out blockages like hair from drains. Push the hooked end into the clogged pipe, twist it gently, and start fishing out debris.
It’s cheap and super simple for clearing a clogged drain deep in the pipe. Use gloves to avoid touching gunk directly. For stubborn blockages, repeat until water flows freely again!
Wet and dry vacuum
A wet and dry vacuum can be a lifesaver for drain unclogging. It sucks out stubborn blockages from deep in the pipe using powerful suction. Switch it to “wet” mode, seal the hose tightly over your clogged drain, and let it do its magic.
Even a kitchen sink blocked with grease or debris stands no chance against this tool.
This method is budget-friendly and effective for clearing tricky drains. Unlike other options, you don’t need harsh chemicals or fancy gadgets. Use it to clean up water spills around blocked drains as well! It’s simple, safe, and gets the job done quickly.
Caustic drain cleaner
Caustic drain cleaners work fast to dissolve grease, oils, and stubborn clogs. They contain strong chemicals like sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. These break down tough blockages deep in pipes.
Use them only for serious clogs, like a clogged drainage line or blocked kitchen sink drain.
Always read the label carefully before use. Wear gloves and open windows for ventilation to avoid fumes. Never mix caustic cleaners with other products; it can create dangerous reactions.
If using on outside drains filled with natural debris, double-check compatibility first. For heavily clogged drains that won’t budge, this option might save you a call to a plumber!
Professional drain snake
A professional drain snake is a powerful tool to clear stubborn blockages. It can remove clogs deep in pipes that home remedies may miss. Plumbers use these snakes to cut through grease, hair, or roots blocking drains.
They are long and flexible with a metal coil on the end.
This method works well for tough clogs like blocked sewage drains or clogged drain lines. A plumber inserts the snake into the pipe and rotates it to break up debris. If your clogged sink drain keeps returning, this could be the solution you need!
High-pressure water jetting
Powerful water jets blast through blockages with ease. Pressures can reach up to 4000 psi, strong enough to cut through grease, roots, and built-up debris stuck deep in pipes. This method unclogs drains efficiently and clears grime from pipe walls.
It works well for major clogs but isn’t cheap. Older pipes risk damage under such high pressure, so handle carefully or consult a blocked drains plumber.
CCTV drain camera inspection
CCTV drain camera inspections use a tiny waterproof camera to find blockages deep in pipes. This tool shows exactly where and what the problem is without digging or guessing. It’s perfect for diagnosing stubborn clogged drains or hard-to-reach pipe issues.
The footage helps locate debris, tree roots, or even damaged pipes that need repair. Professionals often recommend this method if common home remedies don’t work. It saves time, prevents bigger damage, and avoids unnecessary costs from trial-and-error methods like plungers or chemicals.
Pipe relining
Pipe relining fixes damaged pipes without digging. A flexible tube coated with resin slides into the broken pipe. Once placed, it hardens to form a new solid lining inside the old pipe.
This method can repair cracks, leaks, and other damage in sewer or drainage lines quickly.
It’s ideal for deep clogs or blocked drains caused by tree roots. Professional help is often needed since precise tools like CCTV drain cameras guide the process. Pipe relining saves time, avoids major disruptions and lasts for years—a modern solution to tricky plumbing problems!
How Much Does It Cost to Unblock a Drain in Australia?
| Method | Typical Cost (AUD) |
| Boiling water / baking soda | Free |
| Plunger | $10 to $30 (one-off purchase) |
| Caustic drain cleaner | $10 to $25 per bottle |
| DIY drain snake hire | $30 to $80 per day |
| Plumber — drain snake | $150 to $300 |
| Hydro jetting (plumber) | $300 to $600 |
| CCTV drain inspection | $150 to $350 |
| Pipe relining | $500 to $3,000+ |
*Prices shown are estimates only. Contact your plumber for an exact quote based on your property and blockage type.*
When to Stop DIYing and Call a Plumber
Call a licensed plumber if any of the following apply:
- Multiple drains are blocked at the same time — this signals a main sewer line issue, not an individual pipe clog.
- Sewage or black water is backing up from any drain — a health hazard requiring immediate attention.
- The blockage keeps returning within a few weeks of clearing — a structural issue is likely causing re-accumulation.
- Water is pooling under the floor or outside the property — a cracked or collapsed pipe may be leaking underground.
- A strong sewage smell persists even after clearing the drain.
- You have tried three or more DIY methods with no improvement.
For blocked drains in Adelaide, Perth or Brisbane, Same Day Trades is available 24 hours a day with no callout fee. Our licensed plumbers carry drain snakes, hydro jet equipment and CCTV cameras on every van.
Conclusion
Cleaning a blocked drain doesn’t have to feel like climbing a mountain. With the right tools and tips, you can tackle most clogs with ease. From boiling water to professional help, there’s always a way out of the mess.
Act quickly when you notice signs of trouble, and keep those pipes happy with regular care! Your drains will thank you—no more gurgles or slow flow!
FAQs
How can I unclog a drain at home?
You can try pouring hot water down the drain, using a plunger, or applying a blocked drain cleaner to clear simple blockages.
What should I do if my kitchen sink is clogged?
If your kitchen sink is clogged, start by removing any visible debris from the drain and use a plunger or vinegar and baking soda as a home remedy.
How do you unblock a sink with water still in it?
To unblock a sink with standing water, try using a plunger first. If that doesn’t work, carefully remove the trap under the sink to check for clogs.
Can I fix deep pipe blockages myself?
For deep pipe blockages, you might need tools like an auger or plumber’s snake to reach further into the pipes and dislodge the clog.
What causes drains to get blocked outside?
Blocked outside drains often happen due to leaves, dirt buildup, or grease solidifying in pipes over time.
What is the best drain clog remover?
For minor household blockages, baking soda and white vinegar is the safest and most eco-friendly option. For tougher clogs, a caustic drain cleaner containing sodium hydroxide works faster and more effectively. For severe or recurring blockages, professional hydro jetting is the most thorough solution — it clears the full pipe diameter rather than just punching a channel through the blockage.
How do plumbers clear blocked drains?
Licensed plumbers use different tools depending on blockage severity. A drain snake (electric eel) is used for medium clogs in accessible pipes. Hydro jetting is used for heavy grease buildup, tree roots and compacted blockages. For recurring or unexplained blockages, a CCTV drain camera is inserted first to pinpoint the exact cause before clearing begins.
How do you clear a drain clogged deep in the pipe?
For blockages deeper than 1 metre, a drain snake or professional hydro jet is needed. Boiling water, baking soda and plungers are only effective for clogs close to the drain opening. If the blockage is deeper than 5 metres or keeps returning, a CCTV inspection is recommended to rule out pipe damage as the underlying cause.
Need a Blocked Drain Plumber in Adelaide, Perth or Brisbane?
Same Day Trades provides 24/7 blocked drain services across South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland with no callout fee. Our fully licensed plumbers carry all equipment — drain snakes, hydro jets and CCTV cameras — and can diagnose and clear most blockages in a single visit.
Call 1300 632 094 — available 24 hours, 365 days a year.
