Blocked drains Canberra

See exactly what's blocking your drain.

Colour CCTV down the line, up-to-5000-PSI hydro-jet clear, then a 12-month guarantee in writing. No digging up your yard unless we absolutely have to.

CCTV drain camera monitor showing root intrusion inside a Canberra sewer pipe
12-month guarantee
CCTV drain camera monitor showing root intrusion inside a Canberra sewer pipe
CCTV shows the condition inside the drain

Read the warning signs

A recurring blockage usually has a cause deeper in the line.

Slow fixtures, gurgling, odours and overflowing gullies can point to roots, damaged pipework or a restriction beyond the affected fixture. A camera inspection replaces guesswork with evidence.

  • Slow drainage across several fixtures
  • Gurgling after toilets or sinks drain
  • Sewage smells or an overflowing gully
  • Repeat blockages after basic clearing
New PVC sewer line laid on a compacted gravel bed in a deep Canberra trench
Repair options follow the camera evidence

Choose the right clearing method

Clear the obstruction, then deal with what caused it.

Hydro-jetting removes buildup and cuts many root intrusions. If the camera shows a broken or displaced section, we explain targeted excavation or relining options before further work.

  • Hydro-jetting for grease, scale and debris
  • Root cutting for established intrusions
  • Relining considered for suitable damaged runs
  • Excavation limited to faults that require access
Why your drain keeps blocking

It's almost always one of four things.

A plunger and a bottle of drain cleaner treat the symptom. Our camera finds which of these is actually causing it — then we clear it at the source.

01
Common cause

Tree roots

Poplars and liquidambars are Canberra's worst offenders — they crack clay joints in older suburbs.

02
Common cause

Fats & wipes

Kitchen fats and 'flushable' wipes are the #1 cause in newer estates.

03
Common cause

Sagged clay pipe

Post-war Woden, Curtin and Ainslie homes often have failed clay junctions.

04
Common cause

Foreign objects

Kids' toys, tampons, sanitary items — CCTV pinpoints them in minutes.

Call (02) 6105 9440

Not sure which one you're dealing with? Tell us what you're seeing and we'll diagnose it on site — quoted in writing before we start.

Our process

Camera. Clear. Confirm.

01

CCTV inspection

Colour camera down the line so you see exactly what we see.

02

Hydro-jet clear

High-pressure water clears many common obstructions without unnecessary excavation.

03

Root cut / reline

Cutter head for roots. No-dig pipe relining for collapsed sections.

04

Condition check

A final camera pass confirms the line condition and any repair priorities.

What's included

Every drain job, same standard.

Every clear includes a CCTV report. Larger runs and root-cutting are quoted on site before we touch a valve.

Call (02) 6105 9440
  • Colour CCTV recording emailed to you
  • Up to 5000 PSI hydro-jet blaster
  • Root cutting on stubborn lines
  • No-dig pipe relining option
  • Access covers replaced correctly
  • Post-clear CCTV condition check
How we book drain work

Quoted in writing, before we start.

Mon–Sat 7am–6pm

Standard booking

Booked in advance — same-day where possible.

  • Licensed technician
  • Written quote before work
  • Fixed-fee small jobs
  • 12-month workmanship warranty
Get a quote
Most booked

Any weekday, on the day

Same-day priority

Locked to a 2-hour window. Most popular for hot water and burst pipes.

  • 2-hour arrival window
  • Priority parts dispatch
  • Fully quoted before work
  • Workmanship warranty in writing
Get a quote

Nights, weekends & public holidays

After-hours & emergency

No call-out fee in business hours; after-hours rates disclosed upfront. Under-60-min response.

  • Under 60 min response
  • $199 + GST weekend assessment fee
  • Isolation of water & gas
  • Insurance-ready reporting
Get a quote
What Canberrans say

Rated 4.9★ across the ACT.

Google · ProductReview · Word of Mouth

“First Choice solved a complex drainage issue that three other firms said was impossible. Precise, clean, and finished on time.”

Xavier Sterling·Red Hill, ACT

“Hot water died on a Sunday night. Technician on site in 40 minutes, new unit in by lunchtime. Faultless service.”

Elena Vance·Yarralumla, ACT

“Fitted out our café kitchen with grease trap, backflow and hot water. Passed inspection first go. Highly recommend.”

Marcus Hale·Braddon, ACT
Blocked drains FAQ

Questions from Canberra locals.

Straight answers, no sales pitch. Anything we haven't covered — call and ask, we'll tell you what we'd do.

Call (02) 6105 9440

Many blockages can be cleared with CCTV-guided jetting without excavation. If the camera shows a collapsed or badly displaced section, we explain repair or relining options before further work.

Why choose us

Six reasons Canberra keeps calling.

One licensed team, one clean job, and the paperwork done properly — every time you pick up the phone.

01

Licensed & Insured

ACT Plumbing & Class-A Gas Fitter licences. $20m public liability on every job — you're covered from the moment we arrive.

02

Under 60-Min Response

Real 24/7 dispatch from three ACT depots. Most Canberra emergency calls are on site inside the hour — including Sundays.

03

Fixed Upfront Pricing

Written quote before any tool comes out of the van. No call-out fee in business hours and no surprise line items — what we quote is what you pay.

04

Workmanship Warranty In Writing

In writing on every invoice. If our workmanship ever fails, one phone call and we're back — free.

05

Local Canberra Team

Vans stage from Bruce, Phillip and Fyshwick. Never subcontracted, never dispatched from Sydney — Canberrans looking after Canberrans.

06

4.9★ Rated & Trusted

12,000+ jobs completed across the ACT with a 4.9★ average on Google, ProductReview and word-of-mouth referrals.

Get the drain cleared today.

CCTV in, hydro-jet through, then a condition check and clear written next step.

Drain jobs on the tools

CCTV in, blockage out, yard back to normal.

From camera diagnosis to full sewer line replacement and sealed inspection points — actual Canberra drain jobs from our crews.

CCTV drain camera monitor showing root intrusion inside a Canberra sewer pipe
CCTV drain camera monitor showing root intrusion inside a Canberra sewer pipe
New PVC sewer line laid on a compacted gravel bed in a deep Canberra trench
New PVC sewer line laid on a compacted gravel bed in a deep Canberra trench
Capped drain inspection points installed beside a garage slab in Canberra
Capped drain inspection points installed beside a garage slab in Canberra
Close-up of sealed drainage inspection openings after a Canberra drain replacement
Close-up of sealed drainage inspection openings after a Canberra drain replacement
Freshly poured driveway slab over a repaired sewer line at a Canberra home
Freshly poured driveway slab over a repaired sewer line at a Canberra home
Book a plumber

Send us your job.
We'll call you back.

Fill in the form and a licensed Canberra technician will phone you within 15 minutes during business hours. For emergencies, please call (02) 6105 9440.

Or call now(02) 6105 9440

Hours

24/7 Emergency Response · Office Mon–Sat 7am–6pm

Email

admin@firstchoiceplumbingcanberra.com.au

Service area

Canberra ACT + Queanbeyan

Licence

ACT Plumbing Licence 20111510

4.9★ across 500+ reviews

Google · ProductReview · Word of mouth

Under-60-min response promise

Real 24/7 emergency dispatch from three ACT depots. If your job is urgent, please call rather than fill the form — a licensed technician answers directly, day or night.

Call now