Why blocked drains are more common in Canberra than people realise
Canberra's older suburbs — Tuggeranong, Woden, Belconnen, inner north — have some of the oldest residential drainage networks in the ACT. Tree roots are the number one cause of blocked drains in these areas. Eucalyptus roots in particular are relentless at finding cracks in clay pipes, growing inside the pipe and building up over months until the drain stops flowing entirely.
Then there's grease. Kitchens in busy households push fat and oil down sinks, which solidifies in cooler pipe temperatures. Canberra winters accelerate this — the colder the pipe wall, the faster grease hardens into a plug.
By the time you notice a slow drain, gurgling sounds from other fixtures, or water backing up, the blockage has usually been building for weeks. Ignoring it doesn't make it cheaper — it makes it worse.
Most blocked drains are fixed in a single visit. Fresh Flow uses high-pressure water jetting — not chemical products — which clears the blockage completely and flushes the pipe clean. No residue left behind.
What Fresh Flow does when your drain blocks
When you call, we'll ask a few quick questions to understand what's blocked (kitchen, bathroom, stormwater, sewer), how long it's been building, and whether there are any signs of overflow. That helps us show up with the right equipment instead of diagnosing on the spot.
Drain clearing services we carry out
- High-pressure water jetting to clear grease, debris, and root intrusions
- Electric drain snake (eel) for stubborn blockages in tight pipe bends
- CCTV drain inspection — a camera inserted into the pipe to see exactly what's causing the block and where
- Tree root cutting and removal
- Drain excavation and pipe repair or replacement where roots or ground movement have cracked the pipe
- Stormwater drain clearing — blocked pits, overflowing downpipes, saturated garden beds
Why the cheap fix often isn't
A lot of Canberra homeowners try drain clearing chemicals or hire a cheap mobile service that runs a basic eel through the drain, clears enough to get flow going again, then moves on. Three months later, the same drain blocks. That's because the root mass or grease buildup is still there — they just punched a hole through it.
High-pressure water jetting actually cleans the pipe wall. CCTV inspection confirms the cause. Combined, they mean the drain stays clear and you have documentation of the pipe's condition — useful if there's a crack or root intrusion that needs repair before it gets worse.
We charge fairly for a complete job, not a repeat visit.
Signs your drain needs attention now
- Water draining noticeably slower than usual in kitchen or bathroom
- Gurgling sounds from a drain or toilet when another fixture is used
- Unpleasant smell coming from a drain (sewer gas rising through a partial blockage)
- Water backing up in the shower, bath, or laundry tub
- Overflowing stormwater pit after heavy rain
- Wet patches or unusually lush grass over the sewer line — could be a broken pipe leaching sewage
Blocked drain FAQs
How quickly can you get to me?
We work evenings across Canberra and surrounds. If you call during the day, we'll book you in for that evening. Same-day response is our standard, not a premium add-on.
Can tree roots really grow back after you clear them?
Yes — if the pipe is cracked, tree roots will return. Cutting the roots clears the blockage, but the long-term fix is repairing or relining the cracked pipe so roots can't re-enter. CCTV inspection shows whether the pipe is still intact or needs work.
Is it the owner's responsibility or the council's?
Generally, you're responsible for drains within your property boundary. Icon Water (ACT) is responsible for the main sewer network. If your blocked drain is inside your property, it's yours to fix. We can help identify where the blockage is and whether it's on your side or the network's.
Do I need CCTV for every blocked drain?
Not always. Simple grease or debris blockages don't require a camera. We recommend CCTV when the blockage keeps coming back, when we suspect root intrusion, or when you're buying or selling a property and want to know the condition of the drainage system.
Other plumbing services
Repairs, replacement, and new installations across Canberra.
Burst pipes, flooding, urgent repairs — available evenings.
Licensed gasfitter for appliances, leaks, and compliance certificates.
View the full list of plumbing services Fresh Flow covers.