Why do my drains block every winter?

Recurring seasonal blockages usually point to tree roots finding moisture in a cracked joint. Clearing treats the symptom; a camera inspection tells you whether the pipe itself needs work.

Are older Ballarat homes more prone to this?

Homes with original earthenware or clay sewer lines have more joints for roots to enter than modern PVC. A lot of Ballarat's housing stock predates PVC drainage.

Can I clear it myself first?

A plunger and a bucket of hot water are worth trying on a single slow fixture. If several fixtures are affected at once, the blockage is in the main line and needs equipment you won't have at home.

Will the plumber show me the camera footage?

Ask when they call. Many do, and footage is useful if you later need to make an insurance or plumbing report claim.

Blocked Drain Plumber in Ballarat

Most Ballarat drain blockages come down to three things: tree roots in older clay pipes, grease and debris build-up, or a collapsed section of line. A camera down the drain is what separates guessing from knowing.

How this works: We are a referral service, not a plumbing business. Your enquiry is passed to an independent licensed plumber in Ballarat who contacts you directly. Read the full explanation.

Signs this is your problem

Sinks or showers draining slowly across more than one room
Gurgling from the toilet when the basin empties
An overflow relief gully spilling in the yard
A persistent sewer smell outside the house
Repeat blockages in the same fixture every few months

What the plumber will typically do

Clear the immediate blockage with an electric eel or high-pressure jetter
Run a CCTV camera through the line to find the actual cause
Locate and mark any damaged section from the surface
Quote a repair — patch lining, a pipe section replacement, or root cutting on a schedule

Tell us about the job

We are a referral service, not a plumbing business. Your enquiry is passed to an independent licensed plumber in Ballarat who contacts you directly.

Your name

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What do you need?

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Describe the problem

I understand my details will be passed to a local plumbing provider who will contact me directly.

Free, no obligation. Your details go to one local plumbing provider — never a panel of contractors, never resold to marketers.

What affects the price

Whether clearing alone fixes it or the pipe needs repair
Length of drain run and number of access points
Whether a CCTV inspection and report is included
Excavation, if the damaged section is under a driveway or slab

We do not publish prices or estimates. We are not the plumber and any figure we invented would be misleading. The attending plumber gives you the actual quote.

What to do right now

Stop using water in the affected part of the house
Do not pour caustic drain cleaner down a fully blocked line
Lift the inspection opening cover in the yard if you can find it safely
Note whether one fixture or several are affected — it narrows the location

PVC drainage pipe laid in an excavated trench in a suburban garden

Blocked drains — common questions

Why do my drains block every winter?: Recurring seasonal blockages usually point to tree roots finding moisture in a cracked joint. Clearing treats the symptom; a camera inspection tells you whether the pipe itself needs work.
Are older Ballarat homes more prone to this?: Homes with original earthenware or clay sewer lines have more joints for roots to enter than modern PVC. A lot of Ballarat's housing stock predates PVC drainage.
Can I clear it myself first?: A plunger and a bucket of hot water are worth trying on a single slow fixture. If several fixtures are affected at once, the blockage is in the main line and needs equipment you won't have at home.
Will the plumber show me the camera footage?: Ask when they call. Many do, and footage is useful if you later need to make an insurance or plumbing report claim.