How Much Does it Cost to Clear a Blocked Drain? [2025]

A blocked drain is up there with a blocked toilet when it comes to bad days. While a minor blockage can be inconvenient, resulting in slowly draining water, a major blockage can quickly see water or raw sewage flooding through your property.

There are plenty of reasons why a drain can become blocked, from excess toilet paper making its way into the toilet’s pipes to tree roots causing havoc with your stormwater drains. But whatever the reason, one thing is for sure. You need to get it unblocked. Fast.

In this article, we cover all you need to know about pricing for blocked drains, with topics including: 

• Who can unlock a drain?
• How much does it cost to unlock a drain?
• When do I need a plumber to clear a blocked drain?
• How do plumbers fix blocked drains?
• How to hire the right tradie for your job

Who can unblock a drain?

Not just anyone can unblock a drain. Besides having all the right equipment, you need to know what you’re doing and this is not a time to DIY (unless it is a very minor blockage).

In many states, only a licensed plumber or drainer can legally work on your home’s drainage system. However, in Victoria, drainage is a separate class of licence that also requires specific training, meaning that in these cases, not all Victorian plumbers are qualified to unblock your drain. 

If you’re a Victorian and you’re not sure if your plumber is qualified to unblock your drain, it’s always best to ask them to double check. 

Read more: How much do plumbers cost?

How much does it cost to unblock a drain?

How much you need to pay to unblock a drain will vary depending on factors including; where you’re located, the type of drain you need to unblock, as well as the cause and severity of the blockage. Below are some average costs for fixing common plumbing and drainage issues. 

• Cost to unblock drain: $100-$200
• Cost to unblock toilet: $100-$200
• Cost to unblock stormwater drain: $275-$375
• Average plumber cost to snake a drain: $90-$200
• Drain repair cost: Depends on location and severity of repair
• Emergency blocked drain cost: $300-$500
• Removing roots from drain pipes cost: $385-$600
• Jet blaster plumbing cost: $300-$500
• Hydrojet drain cleaning cost: $300-$500
• Emergency plumber callout fee: $100-$200. Expect to pay an emergency call out fee if you need a plumber over a weekend or after hours.
• Replace part of pipe/drainage system or other plumbing infrastructure: $1,000-$2,000
• Drainage system replacement: $5,000-$20,000

Prices depend on location, the skill level of your chosen plumber, and market conditions. Your plumber may charge by the hour or have fixed rates for services like unblocking drains.

When do I need a plumber to clear a blocked drain?

DIY drain cleaning is not recommended unless it is a very minor blockage. However, if your attempts do not work, it’s best to call in a professional plumber pronto. The damage caused by blocked drains should never be underestimated.

Signs of a serious clog include standing water, multiple drains that back up simultaneously, or drains that continue to block even after you’ve tried snaking or chemical cleaners.

How do plumbers fix blocked drains?

The method your plumber will use to clear a blocked drain depends on the type of drain and the cause of the blockage.

First, if it’s not obvious, plumbers will need to pinpoint what’s causing a blockage. That used to be a huge and expensive task, but nowadays, CCTV cameras (sometimes called sewer drain cameras) make it much easier.

Once they’ve identified the problem, a plumber will use one of a few different methods to get rid of the blockage for good. This could be a drain snake, AKA electric eel, or hydro-jetting. Drain snakes/eels are long, flexible steel rods with cutters protruding from the ends. They’ve been used for years but have limited reach and can sometimes damage pipes, especially older systems. That’s why many plumbers now prefer hydro-jets, which use high-pressure water to clear blockages, including those caused by tree roots. Not to mention, hydro-jets are also safer and more effective than drain snakes. 

Here are some common places where blocked drains occur, their causes, and the fixes that your qualified plumber will typically apply. 

• Kitchen sink drain: Caused by grease blockage, food particles, soap residue. This can be fixed by using a plunger or a drain snake, but severe cases may need hydrojetting by a professional as well

• Bathroom sink or shower drain: Caused by solid grease buildup, hair, soap scum, dirt or foreign objects. You can either remove the blockage manually or use a drain snake, plunger or chemical cleaner. Severe cases will require hydrojetting by a professional.

• Toilet drain: Caused by non-flushable items (wipes, and hygiene products like tampons, pads etc) or excess toilet paper. This can be fixed by a plunger or toilet auger. For serious clogs, a plumber may use a drain snake or hydro jet

• Floor drain: Caused by dirt, debris or lint and can be cleared with a drain snake or plunger. Professionals may also use a wet/dry vacuum or hydro jet.

• Gutter and downpipe drain: Caused by leaves, twigs, outdoor debris. Can be cleaned by hand or with gutter cleaning tools. Professionals can flush with a hose or power washer and install gutter guards.

• Sewer drain: Caused by tree roots, waste buildup, collapsed pipes. Plumbers can fix this by using a professional CCTV drain inspection with a drain camera. This is followed by high-pressure jetting or another technique by a professional plumber.

Hiring the right tradie for your job

Whether it’s a blocked sewer, pipe relining, or a blocked toilet, in a plumbing emergency, you want a tradie you can trust. Always ask:

• Are you licensed to do this work?
• Are you insured?
• Do you have references?
• Can you provide a written quote and transparent pricing?

You can also tell a lot about a business by your initial contact with them. For example - did they get in touch promptly? Were they polite? Did they keep their first appointment? If they don’t make you feel comfortable it is probably not a good idea to hire them.

For more information, read our guide on how you can choose a good plumber. At hipages, we recommend getting at least three quotes before you commit to hiring anyone, so you can compare price and level of service