Overflowing Drains

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Licensed plumbers across Adelaide, Perth & Brisbane

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4.6 · 2,000+ Google reviews

An overflowing drain means a blockage is stopping the water draining away, and if it is sewage overflowing, it is a health hazard that needs prompt attention. Our licensed plumbers answer the phone 24/7 and clear the blockage with a drain machine or high-pressure jetter, then use a CCTV camera to find the cause, often tree roots, a build-up, or a damaged pipe, and fix it so the drain does not overflow again, relining damaged pipes where needed. We stop the overflow and sort the underlying cause. We clear overflowing drains across Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, around the clock, with an upfront fixed price.

Why choose Same Day Trades for overflowing drains

We are local, licensed and insured plumbers who do this work every day, so we get it right the first time, with no mess and no surprises on the invoice.

Fully licensed and insured plumbers
Upfront fixed pricing before we start
Same-day service where we can, with 24/7 phones
Workmanship guaranteed and the job left clean
Servicing Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide

Whatever the job, you get honest advice and a tidy, professional result.

Why drains overflow

A drain overflows when a blockage downstream stops the water draining away, so it backs up and spills out of the drain, a gully, or the lowest fixture. In other words, the water has nowhere to go, so it comes back up. An overflowing drain is a clear sign of a significant blockage, and depending on the drain, it can mean dirty water or raw sewage escaping, which is both a damaging mess and, with sewage, a health hazard. Overflowing drains need clearing promptly, and the cause finding, so they do not keep happening. We clear overflowing drains and fix the cause across Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, with 24/7 emergency service.

Overflowing sewage is urgent

If the overflow is sewage, from a gully, a floor drain, or fixtures backing up, treat it as urgent. Sewage carries bacteria and pathogens, so it is a genuine health hazard as well as a damaging, unpleasant mess, and the longer it is left, the more it contaminates and the worse the clean-up. Stop using water (which makes more overflow), keep people and pets away from the affected area, and call us straight away, our phones are answered 24/7. We will clear the blockage causing the overflow, including in the main line, to stop the sewage escaping, then find the cause. An overflowing sewer is exactly the kind of emergency we prioritise and attend fast.

Common causes of overflowing drains

When a drain overflows, the blockage causing it is usually one of these:

Tree roots growing into the pipe, the most common cause of main-line blockages and overflows
A build-up of grease, wipes, sanitary items and debris flushed over time
A cracked, collapsed or sagging pipe trapping waste
A blockage at the connection to the sewer main
Stormwater drains overwhelmed or blocked in heavy rain

Tree roots and pipe damage are frequent culprits for recurring overflows, which is why we find the cause with a camera rather than just clearing and leaving it to overflow again.

The overflow relief gully

Many homes have an overflow relief gully (ORG) outside, a drain with a loose grate designed so that if the sewer blocks, the sewage overflows outside at the gully rather than backing up inside the house. If you see sewage overflowing from a gully in the yard, it is actually doing its job, relieving a blocked sewer outside rather than inside, but it means the sewer is blocked and needs clearing urgently. We clear the blockage causing the gully to overflow, so the sewer flows freely again. An overflowing relief gully is a clear sign of a main sewer blockage, and we attend promptly to clear it and find the cause.

What to do when a drain overflows

If a drain is overflowing, acting quickly limits the mess and damage:

Stop using water in the house, every flush or drain adds to the overflow
Keep people and pets clear of any sewage, which is a health hazard
Contain the water where you safely can, away from the house
Do not use chemical drain cleaners, which will not clear a serious blockage and add hazard
Call us, our phones are answered 24/7

The sooner the blockage is cleared, the sooner the overflow stops, so prompt action and a fast-attending plumber make a real difference.

How we clear overflowing drains

We clear the blockage causing the overflow with professional equipment. A high-pressure water jetter scours the pipe clean of grease, debris and roots and restores full flow; a drain machine (electric eel) cuts through solid blockages and roots. For a main-line blockage causing an overflow, we access the line through an inspection point and clear it. Once the water is flowing and the overflow has stopped, we run a camera through to find what caused the blockage, so we can address the underlying problem and stop it overflowing again, rather than just clearing it for now.

Finding the cause

Clearing the blockage stops the overflow, but if there is an underlying cause, the drain will overflow again unless it is addressed. This is why we use a camera to find exactly what caused the blockage, tree roots, a grease build-up, or a cracked, collapsed or sagging pipe. The camera shows the type, extent and location of the problem, so we can recommend the right fix to stop the overflows recurring. For roots, that usually means clearing and relining to seal the entry point; for a damaged pipe, repairing it. Finding and fixing the cause turns a recurring, messy overflow problem into a solved one, rather than an emergency that keeps coming back.

Recurring overflows and roots

If a drain keeps overflowing despite being cleared, tree roots are the most likely cause. Roots grow into the main line through cracks and joints, catching waste and blocking the pipe, and clearing them restores flow only until they grow back. The lasting solution is to clear the roots by jetting, then seal the cracks and joints with no-dig pipe relining, so there is no gap for roots to re-enter and the overflows stop for good. Repeatedly clearing a root-blocked drain that keeps overflowing is a false economy and a recurring mess. We find the roots with a camera and fix the cause, so you are not facing the same overflow again and again.

Stormwater overflows in heavy rain

Some overflows are stormwater rather than sewer, with drains, pits and gutters overflowing in heavy rain because the stormwater system is blocked or overwhelmed. Blocked stormwater drains, downpipes and pits mean rainwater has nowhere to go, so it pools and overflows, risking water entering the home. We clear blocked stormwater drains, pits and downpipes so the system can handle the rain, and inspect the underground lines with a camera to find any blockage or damage. If your drains overflow during storms, the stormwater system is usually the cause, and clearing and checking it, ideally before the wet season, prevents the overflow and water damage.

Preventing overflowing drains

Many overflows are preventable. Be careful what goes down your drains, no wipes (even flushable), sanitary items, fat, grease or food scraps, which build up and block the line, and only flush the three Ps. If you have large trees near your drains, periodic camera checks and preventive jetting keep roots in check before they block and overflow the drain. Keep stormwater drains, pits, gutters and downpipes clear, especially before the wet season. Act on slow drains and gurgling early, before they become a blockage and overflow. These measures reduce the chance of the messy, sometimes hazardous overflow that a blocked drain causes.

How much does it cost?

The cost of clearing an overflowing drain depends on the location and severity of the blockage and the method needed, and whether there is an underlying cause like roots or a damaged pipe to address. Clearing the blockage to stop the overflow is the first step; a camera inspection to find the cause lets us price any further work accurately. Emergency and after-hours call-outs cost more than a standard appointment. We give you an upfront fixed price, and if a lasting fix like relining is needed to stop the overflows recurring, we will quote that clearly, so you can choose between a clear now and a permanent solution.

24/7 emergency service

An overflowing drain, especially one spilling sewage, is a genuine emergency and a health hazard, so we treat it as a priority. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, and we can usually get a licensed plumber to you the same day, including after hours, across Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. We arrive with drain machines, jetters and cameras to clear the blockage, stop the overflow, and find the cause in one visit, with an upfront price. If a drain is overflowing, stop using water and call us straight away, and we will get to you as fast as possible to clear it and make it safe.

Licensed, guaranteed drain plumbers

Clearing an overflowing drain properly takes the right equipment and a licensed plumber who not only stops the overflow but finds and fixes the cause so it does not recur. Our team is fully licensed and insured, we clear the blockage, inspect with a camera, and reline or repair the underlying cause where needed, and we back our work. You get 24/7 emergency response, honest advice on a temporary clear versus a lasting fix, and upfront fixed pricing. For a plumber near you for an overflowing drain, we cover Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

Overflowing drain FAQs

Why is my drain overflowing?

A blockage downstream is stopping the water draining away, so it backs up and overflows out of the drain or the lowest fixture. It needs clearing promptly.

Is an overflowing drain an emergency?

Yes, especially if sewage is overflowing, which is a health hazard. Our phones are answered 24/7 and we can usually attend the same day.

What causes a drain to overflow?

Common causes are tree roots, a build-up of grease, wipes and debris, or a cracked, collapsed or sagging pipe in the main line.

What should I do if my drain overflows?

Stop using water (which makes more overflow), keep people and pets clear of any sewage, and call us. We will clear the blockage to stop the overflow.

How do you clear an overflowing drain?

We clear the blockage with a drain machine or high-pressure jetter, then inspect with a camera to find the cause so it does not keep happening.

How do I stop it overflowing again?

Clearing alone is temporary if there is an underlying cause. We find and fix the cause, such as roots or a damaged pipe, with relining where needed.

How much does it cost?

It depends on the blockage and the cause. A camera inspection lets us give an accurate upfront fixed price.

Do you service my area?

Yes, we clear overflowing drains across Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, with 24/7 emergency service.

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Donna Arnold

Great service , prompt , efficient Diego was friendly and knows his work would highly recommend him .

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Friendly, helpful.

Warren Money

Explained everything that needed to be done and did a quick and very satisfying job. Friendly and professional service.

Richard White

Christian and his offsider did an exceptional job fixing the toilet..i didn't even have to clean up after them..thanks heaps christian

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Great guys great service would highly recommend

Debbie Robertson

Jack was very informative and provided exceptional advice. Repairs were carried out professionally and smoothly. Bathroom and surrounds were left neat and tidy