Brisbane Drain Cleaning & Blocked Drain Service
Need help with a blocked drain in Brisbane? Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. At Conrad Martens Plumbing & Hot Water, we understand how disruptive a blocked drain can be. Our mission is to restore your peace of mind with dependable same-day service from experienced local plumbers.
Based in Indooroopilly, we provide professional drain cleaning across all of Brisbane. We regularly assist customers in Bardon, Chelmer, Fig Tree Pocket, Paddington, Graceville, Chapel Hill, Kenmore, St Lucia, Taringa, and Toowong – to name just a few. (View our full-service area page to see all the areas we cover.) No matter where you are in Brisbane, we’re here to help when you need it most.
Why Choose Us for Blocked Drains in Brisbane?
- Rapid Same-Day Response: We resolve over 99% of blocked drain calls on the same day, usually within hours. When you have an emergency in Brisbane, we’ll prioritise so you get help fast.
- Local and Trusted: With over 40 years of service in Brisbane and 700+ five-star reviews, our plumbers deliver professional, friendly service every time.
- Affordable Service: We believe in doing the right thing for our customers—providing outstanding service at fair prices. Whether it’s a simple blockage or a complex drain repair, you’ll always get honest advice and cost-effective solutions.
Need help right now? We attend to over 99% of blocked drains the same day!
Call us for affordable and reliable drain cleaning in Brisbane.
Blocked Drain Services We Offer
We provide a comprehensive drain cleaning services for residential, real estate and body corporate customers. Our team can help with:
- Sewer Line Blockages: Clearing obstructions in sewer pipes, including tree root intrusions and grease buildups
- Stormwater Drainage: Unblocking outside drains, stormwater pipes, and downpipes prone to leaf litter or sediment
- Toilet & Pipe Blockages: Clearing clogged toilets, urinals, and resolving pipe blockages causing overflows
- Indoor Drains: Blocked kitchen sinks, bathroom and laundry drains, showers, and toilets
- Tree Root Removal: Cutting through invasive tree roots that penetrate pipes.
- Drain Repairs & Replacements: If pipes are damaged, we can perform repairs or replace sections to fix the underlying issue
Signs You May Have a Blocked Drain
Not sure if your drain is truly blocked or just a bit slow? Look out for these common warning signs:
- Slow drainage: Sinks, showers, or tubs that take a long time to empty.
- Unpleasant odours: Foul smells coming from drains or grates, often a sign of trapped waste.
- Gurgling sounds: Strange gurgling or bubbling noises in pipes when water is draining or after a toilet flush.
- Water backups or overflows: Water pooling in the shower, laundry, or even overflowing from a gully or toilet.
If you’re noticing one or more of these issues in your home or business, it’s likely you have a blocked drain. Early intervention can prevent a minor blockage from turning into a major problem, so don’t hesitate to reach out for professional help.
Want to know more about blocked Drains?
See our blog on How to Clear Blockages and Resolve the Underlying Cause
How We Clear Blocked Drains
Every blockage is different, and our team is equipped with the right tools and know-how to tackle all types—from simple clogs to major root intrusions. Here’s how we do it:
Drain Cleaning Machine (Electric Eel)
Our go-to tool for most blockages, the electric eel (or drain snake) uses a powerful motor and cutting heads to slice through roots and debris. In most cases, it gives customers the best value for clearing drains quickly and efficiently—especially sewers.
High-Pressure Water Jet (Jet Rodding)
This technique uses a high-pressure nozzle to blast through grease, sludge, and tree roots. It’s especially effective for stormwater, grease, and paper blockages with heavy buildup.
Manual Tools & Chemical Treatment
For smaller blockages in branch lines, sinks or floor drains, we use plungers, sani-snakes, and occasionally a sulfuric-based cleaning fluid (used sparingly and safely by our licensed professionals).
Blocked Drain Repairs and Long-Term Solutions
Do you need a long-term fix for a recurring blocked drain?
If your drains are regularly blocked, it may be time to consider a more permanent solution. At Conrad Martens Plumbing & Hot Water, we offer a range of options to address the root cause of ongoing drainage issues, including pipe repairs and replacements. Before recommending any repairs, we carry out a thorough assessment with CCTV camera technology to ensure an accurate diagnosis. Here’s the 3-step approach we usually take:
1. CCTV Drain Inspection
Using a flexible camera, we can inspect the interior of your sewer or stormwater line without excavation. This allows us to identify the source of the problem—tree root intrusion, pipe misalignment, squashed sections, or breakages—and provide the right solution.
2. Locating the damaged section of pipework
Once we identify the fault, we use electronic locating equipment to pinpoint the depth and position of the damaged section. This is particularly useful under driveways or paved areas, where we aim to minimise disruption by only accessing what’s necessary.
3. Fixing the Root Cause
After assessing your drain’s condition, we’ll recommend short, medium, or long-term solutions that align with your needs and budget. Whether it’s regular preventative cleaning, partial repairs, or a full-scale replacement, our goal is to provide a cost-effective solution for your property.
We use various techniques to fix drainage issues depending on their severity and location. When pipes are severely damaged or collapsed, excavation may be necessary to remove and replace them. Although this method can be labour-intensive and involved, it provides a permanent fix by installing new PVC piping. While we don’t carry out pipelining (trenchless relining) ourselves, however, if we believe it’s the best option for your situation, we’re happy to provide the right advice and refer you to a specialist.
Conclusion
For over four decades, Conrad Martens Plumbing & Hot Water has been Brisbane’s trusted choice for fast, affordable, and dependable blocked drain services. From urgent emergencies to long-term solutions, our team is equipped to handle it all—restoring your peace of mind quickly and efficiently.
Don’t let a blocked drain disrupt your day!
Blocked Drain FAQs
What areas in Brisbane do you service for blocked drains?
We’re based in Indooroopilly and service all suburbs across Brisbane. Our team regularly handles blocked drains in western suburbs like Taringa, Toowong, Kenmore, and Chapel Hill, as well as areas all over Brisbane Northside, Southside, East, and the CBD. No matter where you are in Brisbane, we can have a plumber out to help you.
How quickly can you attend to a blocked drain in an emergency?
We offer a rapid same-day response for blocked drains. In fact, we clear over 99% of blockages on the same day you call. If you have an emergency – our on-call plumbers will do their best to be there within hours. We understand that urgent drainage problems can’t wait.
What should I do if I have a blocked drain or toilet?
If you notice signs of a blocked drain (like water not draining or a bad smell), try to avoid using that fixture further to prevent any overflow. You can attempt a plunger on a minor blockage if you feel confident. We also have a detailed blog post on clearing blockages with some DIY tips. However, if the blockage is severe, recurring, or you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, give us a call. We’ll provide guidance over the phone and get a plumber to you to resolve it.
What are the common causes of blocked drains in Brisbane homes?
Common causes include tree roots infiltrating older earthenware pipes (very frequent in Brisbane’s leafy suburbs), built-up grease and food scraps in kitchen pipes, hair and soap scum in bathroom drains, and foreign objects or excessive paper in toilets. Sometimes, broken or collapsed pipes can cause repeated blockages.
Will you need to dig up my yard to fix the blocked drain?
Not usually for a simple blockage. Most blocked drains can be cleared with our electric eel or high-pressure jet without any excavation. If we suspect a deeper problem, we’ll perform a camera inspection. We only dig as a last resort, for example if a pipe section is collapsed and needs replacement. Even then, our locating equipment pinpoints the problem area so we keep digging to a minimum. We always discuss options with you before any invasive work.