Drain Unblocking

The most common causes are tree roots, grease and fat build-up, foreign objects (wipes, sanitary products, kids' toys), silt and leaf litter in stormwater lines, and collapsed sections of old earthenware pipe.

Yes — roots are the number one cause of recurring blockages on the South Coast. They enter through tiny cracks in old pipe joints, then grow into large fibrous masses that trap everything else.

Yes. When stormwater drains block, heavy rain has nowhere to go and quickly floods yards, driveways, garages and even under-floor areas. Clearing lines before storm season is the cheapest form of flood prevention.

Yes. Standing wastewater in a partially blocked drain creates bacteria and gases that vent back up through gullies, floor wastes and sink traps.

Gurgling means air is being pulled through the water seal in a trap, usually because a downstream drain is partially blocked or a vent pipe is obstructed.

Water pooling around a downpipe outlet, gully or overflow point almost always means the connected stormwater drain is blocked or collapsed. Jetting or camera inspection identifies which.

Yes. Coast Flow clears stormwater drains, yard gullies, downpipe connections and pit drains with high-pressure jetting and mechanical cutting.

For accessible cleanouts we can clear many sewer blockages with jetting. Broken or collapsed sewer pipes require a licensed plumber — we'll refer you to a trusted local.

For unblocking, no — Coast Flow can clear most drains. If a pipe is broken, collapsed, or the work involves sewer connection alterations, a licensed plumber is required and we'll refer you to one.

A specialised hose fed into the drain delivers water at very high pressure through targeted nozzles, cutting through roots, grease and debris while scouring the pipe walls clean.

Yes — when done at appropriate pressures. Coast Flow adjusts the pressure and nozzle type based on the pipe material to clear the blockage without damaging fragile sections.

Jetting cuts roots inside the pipe only — the tree itself is unaffected. If you want long-term root management without harming the tree, we can discuss maintenance options.

Yes, where a blockage is recurring or the cause needs to be confirmed. Camera inspection identifies exactly where and why the blockage occurs.

A rotating cutting head fed into the drain that cuts through solid root masses and stubborn debris. Often used alongside jetting for tough blockages.

Simple blockages are usually cleared within an hour. Complex jobs with heavy root intrusion or CCTV inspection take longer and are quoted before work starts.

Yes. Water escaping from cracked or overflowing drains can undermine slab footings and cause serious structural issues if left untreated.

Yes. Cooking fats and oils poured down the sink cool and solidify inside the pipe, gradually reducing the diameter until it blocks completely.

Cooking fats and oils, wet wipes (even 'flushable' ones), sanitary products, cotton buds, dental floss, coffee grounds, food scraps and any chemicals not designed for drains.

Yes. Wet wipes are the single most common cause of avoidable sewer and drain blockages in Australia. They do not break down like toilet paper — never flush them, even the ones labelled 'flushable'.

Never pour fats or oils down the sink, fit strainers in every drain, avoid flushing wipes, and schedule annual preventative jetting for properties with mature trees nearby.

Yes. Coast Flow offers scheduled preventative jetting programs, especially valuable for properties with tree root issues or older earthenware plumbing.

Yes. For urgent blockages we do our best to attend same day across the Illawarra, South Coast and Southern Highlands.

Yes. Coast Flow carries full public liability insurance for residential, strata and commercial drainage work.

Repair or replacement of broken pipes requires a licensed plumber. Coast Flow can locate and diagnose the fault, then refer you to a trusted local plumber to complete the repair.

Yes. Extreme rainfall can temporarily overwhelm even clean stormwater systems. A partially blocked drain is where flooding usually starts — clearing lines before storm season is the best safeguard.

Repeated blockages almost always point to tree roots, a pipe collapse, or a grease build-up further down the line. A CCTV inspection identifies the underlying cause so it can be fixed once.

Yes. Coast Flow works with strata managers, commercial property owners and rural properties across the South Coast on both reactive and preventative drainage work.